[Leonard Arrington]
Today in our executives meeting Elder [Joseph] Anderson told us some stories about Heber J. Grant. He said he had a reputation of being a kind of a spendthrift. Actually he spent very little on himself. Most of his spending was to help out friends and loved ones that he felt needed help. He paid off many widows' mortgages that Brother Anderson has knowledge of, he helped support children in school of dear friends, he supported some persons in business deals that were not good risks yet he wanted to help out the person out of friendship.
When President Grant was old, he needed to have a prostate operation. No doctor in Salt Lake City wanted to do it because those operations still involved a certain risk and nobody wanted to do it on the president of the Church, so he went to the Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago. The doctor there, a Jewish doctor, performed the operation and then sent him a bill for $2,500. That was a large sum of money in those days. President Grant directed Brother Anderson to write a letter for his signature saying that he supposed the doctor would presume him to be a wealthy man. There were lots of flowers sent by his business associates, he arrived in a fine chauffeured car, he was the director of Union Pacific Railroad and so on. Actually, however, he was not a wealthy person. He sent along his own personal accounts to show that he was not a wealthy person. The doctor considering this knocked $1,000 off the bill and charged him only $1,500. Later on during the depression of the
1930s, U and I Sugar stock got down to 13M-BM-" per share-not $13 but 13M-BM-" per share. President Grant was able to buy up considerable quantities of stock at that price. As time went on the stock went up and up and up. President Grant's normal procedure was to hold onto stock, but this time he decided to sell a quantity and Rio Grande Railroad entered bankruptcy in 1934, he was appointed a co-trustee to lead the company back into the black. of it and made a substantial profit. Having made the profit he then wrote to the doctor in Chicago saying that he had been a person of modest means, but now he was better able to pay and sent him back a check for $1,000. President Grant was an honest person in his business dealings and went out of his way to satisfy every person as fully as he could.
[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
165 years ago today - Jul 8, 1860
Brigham Young preaches, "Children are now born who will live until every son of Adam will have the privilege of receiving the principles of eternal life." He also preaches, "The birth of the Saviour was as natural as are the births of our chilren; it was the result of natural action." Traditional Christians are infuriated by this rejection (dating to 24 July 1853) of the Virgin Birth and Young's assertion that God has a body capable of sexual intercourse. Repeated publication of such assaults on Christian orthodoxy leads to near hysteria in Protestant rhetoric against Mormons.
[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 )]]
170 years ago today - Jul 8, 1855
[Minutes of the Apostles]
B Y[:] I would turn out half a dozen boys with lariats & they wo[ul]d. have used up [killed] all the Soldiers. I have told them once [and] for all. Every L D S [is] not to admit any Officer or Soldier into his house' ... We have got to restore the purity of the body in order to receive the Priesthood in its fullness. In Baltimore they kill their children & are mad at us for raising the children. [W]e are at war with the whole of them. [T]hey have done every thing they could to kill us. [T]hey have got to let us alone or they will get into Trouble. ... -I told him [Judge Kinny] death would be the result if he did not let my concerns alone. ...
[Minutes, 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]
B Y[:] I would turn out half a dozen boys with lariats & they wo[ul]d. have used up [killed] all the Soldiers. I have told them once [and] for all. Every L D S [is] not to admit any Officer or Soldier into his house' ... We have got to restore the purity of the body in order to receive the Priesthood in its fullness. In Baltimore they kill their children & are mad at us for raising the children. [W]e are at war with the whole of them. [T]hey have done every thing they could to kill us. [T]hey have got to let us alone or they will get into Trouble. ... -I told him [Judge Kinny] death would be the result if he did not let my concerns alone. ...
[Minutes, 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]
170 years ago today - Jul 8, 1855
[Brigham Young Sermon]
.... If you and I could live in the flesh until that Kingdom is fully established, and actually spread abroad to rule in a temporal point of view, we should find that it will sustain and uphold every individual in what they deem their individual rights, so far as they do not infringe upon the rights of their fellow creatures. For instance, if the Kingdom of God was now established upon the continent of North and South America, and actually held rule and dominion over what we call the United States, the Methodist would be protected just as much as the Latter-day Saints; the Friend Quakers, the Shaking Quakers, and the members of every religious denomination would be sustained in what they considered to be their rights, so far as their notions were not incompatible with the laws of the Kingdom. ... It was asked this morning how we could obtain redress for our wrongs; I will tell you how it could be done, we could take the same law they have taken, viz., mobocracy, and if any
miserable scoundrels come here, cut their throats. (All the people said, Amen.) ...
[Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 2:309-317, 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]
.... If you and I could live in the flesh until that Kingdom is fully established, and actually spread abroad to rule in a temporal point of view, we should find that it will sustain and uphold every individual in what they deem their individual rights, so far as they do not infringe upon the rights of their fellow creatures. For instance, if the Kingdom of God was now established upon the continent of North and South America, and actually held rule and dominion over what we call the United States, the Methodist would be protected just as much as the Latter-day Saints; the Friend Quakers, the Shaking Quakers, and the members of every religious denomination would be sustained in what they considered to be their rights, so far as their notions were not incompatible with the laws of the Kingdom. ... It was asked this morning how we could obtain redress for our wrongs; I will tell you how it could be done, we could take the same law they have taken, viz., mobocracy, and if any
miserable scoundrels come here, cut their throats. (All the people said, Amen.) ...
[Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 2:309-317, 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]
170 years ago today - Jul 8, 1855
[Brigham Young]
In the afternoon President Young Addressed the people upon the subject of the Gentiles Coming to Zion and interfering with our institutions polluting our females & committing abominations in Israel. He declared they should be put to death if they followed it any more. -- SLC Tabernacle
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal. 9 Vols. Scott G. Kenney, ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1983-85. 4:331, 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]
In the afternoon President Young Addressed the people upon the subject of the Gentiles Coming to Zion and interfering with our institutions polluting our females & committing abominations in Israel. He declared they should be put to death if they followed it any more. -- SLC Tabernacle
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal. 9 Vols. Scott G. Kenney, ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1983-85. 4:331, 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]
170 years ago today - Jul 8, 1855
I am the Governor still, and who can help it. It was stenotyped and sent forth to the world that Sebastpol is still in possession of the Russians, and Brigham Young is Gov. of Utah. I have said this mildly and calmly, and if Bro. Kinney is here to hear it I am glad and he not try to deny what I have said. ... I say again so help me God we will cut their throats if they do here again as they did last winter; we will waste them away, and kill them in the streets at noonday, in the morning, and at night. I am Gov. here, and I want Bro. Kinney or any other man to write that and send it to the editors of papers in the United States if they think proper. If persons come here and behave like gentlemen they shall enjoy their rights, and we will enjoy ours or fight to the death... I have nothing to say against the most of the soldiers particularly, but against a good many of the officers, those poor miserable curses that were here last winter. We ought to have hung up their bodies as a
public example and as a warning to others, or to have cast them over the city walls to the wolves, as I have felt sorry every since they went away that this was not done. I did not feel so keenly about it then as I have since they went away and the longer I live and the more I think about it I feel the more apprehension that I have not done right. But I will not let such another scene pass over, I think, unvisited by a just retribution. -- SLC Tabernacle
[Brigham Young Collection, 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]
public example and as a warning to others, or to have cast them over the city walls to the wolves, as I have felt sorry every since they went away that this was not done. I did not feel so keenly about it then as I have since they went away and the longer I live and the more I think about it I feel the more apprehension that I have not done right. But I will not let such another scene pass over, I think, unvisited by a just retribution. -- SLC Tabernacle
[Brigham Young Collection, 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]
175 years ago today - Jul 8, 1850
James J. Strang is publicly crowned "King at Zion" at St. James, Beaver Island, Michigan. Ceremony is performed by George J. Adams, former member of Joseph Smith's Council of Fifty. Non-believers and apostates murder Strang in 1856.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
180 years ago today - Jul 8, 1845
Patriarchal Blessing of Alpheus L. Dillan given by William Smith on July 8, 1845 ... thou shalt be numbered with the house of Israel, and with the one hundred and forty four thousand, on Mount Zion, and of the promised seed shall thy name be reckoned, and thousands shall call thee blessed, thy days are not a few ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
[Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - Jul 8, 1845. Tuesday.
....President Young and Elder Richards came to the office and brought a bag containing $2599.75 in Gold. Joseph Toronto, an Italian, came to President Young and said he wanted to give himself and all he had to President Young. He had this gold which was carefully wrapped up in old rags, tin Books &c which he freely and voluntarily gave up saying he should henceforth look to President Young for protection and council.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
15 years ago today - 7/7/2010
Carlos Aguero, LDS public-affairs director for Argentina and a former Area Authority Seventy, attends meeting with leaders from several conservative Christian churches and traditional family organizations, according to a Buenos Aires newspaper. The meeting was apparently to plan opposition to a proposed bill which would allow Same-Sex Marriages in Argentina. "The [LDS] Church has made its support of traditional marriage clear but it does not involve itself institutionally in every same-sex election contest," Trotter said. "The church took no official position on the marriage legislation in Argentina and did not organize its members to participate in opposing the legislation."
[Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]
[Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]
30 years ago today - Jul 7, 1995
Award-winning author Brian Evenson announces his resignation as BYU English professor to join the faculty at Oklahoma State University. Because of an anonymous student's complaint to an apostle about the violence and "darkness" in Evenson's published work, BYU's officials were requiring him to cancel his most recent book contract with New York publisher Knopf or face termination. BYU's spokesperson comments: "The University's sense of mission and Brian's sense of mission were quite divergent."
[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 )]]
35 years ago today - Jul 7, 1990
The end of the Wimbledon tennis tournament where LDS player Rick Leach and partners win men's doubles and mixed doubles. At Wimbledon in 1995 Leach wins his "29th doubles title."
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
135 years ago today - Mon. July 7th, 1890
At SS Union Board. Mtg. "The question was asked if partaking of the Sacrament would cause a forgiveness of sins. A question card used in Sunday Schools said it would. Father (Geo. Q. Cannon) said that partaking worthily of the Sacrament would gain for the Saint a forgiveness of sins, as well as a repentant spirit and humble prayer would bring the same blessing, yet this is not the ordinance instituted for the forgiveness of sins, and any question or answer which conveyed such an idea is incorrect."
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
165 years ago today - Jul 7, 1860
Brigham Young's office journal records: "Bro. Greenwood called in and reported Bp. L. E. Harrington was very sick and had sent him up for counsel about Bro. Gordons first wife, and bro Smith as it was supposed there had been an improper intimacy. The Ward had cut them off. The President said her husband should divorce her, and Smith & her should be baptised and then they should marry."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
170 years ago today - Jul 7, 1855
Brigham Young attends a meeting, in Salt Lake City, of the Universal Scientific Society and hears an address "by Dr. Richardson, upon the Subject of Concubinage as related to the Patriarchs of old etc." Young afterward expresses "his approbation and the joy and pleasure he felt at what he witnessed."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
180 years ago today - Jul 7, 1845
[Patriarchal Blessing of James Richardson given by William Smith]
.... I seal thee up to eternal life against all sins and blasphemies except the sin against the the Holy Ghost which is the shed[d]ing of innocent blood which sin I do not say shall be forgiven in this world or in the world to come yet God knows the appointed time of redemption for all mankind and it is not revealed for man to know ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
.... I seal thee up to eternal life against all sins and blasphemies except the sin against the the Holy Ghost which is the shed[d]ing of innocent blood which sin I do not say shall be forgiven in this world or in the world to come yet God knows the appointed time of redemption for all mankind and it is not revealed for man to know ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - Jul 7, 1845
[Patriarchal Blessing of Elisha Wilcox given by William Smith]
.... thou shalt not suffer the pains of sin or the pains of death but inherit forever peace and rest ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
.... thou shalt not suffer the pains of sin or the pains of death but inherit forever peace and rest ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - Jul 7, 1845
Patriarchal Blessing of Thomas Crompton given by William Smith .... and thy voice shall be as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of distant thunder[s] shall the great men of the earth hear it, fear and tremble and to them it shall prove a savior of life unto life, or of death unto death, for the [illegible] time has come ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
[Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - Jul 7, 1845
Patriarchal Blessing of Sarah Mackley given by William Smith .... in this blessing is thy lineage made known, thy fathers were of the Royal stock, they were those that had the Priesthood, and administered before the alter [altar], they offer[e]d sacrifices and made atonements for sins, the power of this Priesthood having been lost from thy progenitors, for many of them were holy and righteous men and begat to them a great name in their day, has been restored again and will be p[l]aced upon the head of thy posterity, and in this the seed of the house of Israel shall be made known, from among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the nations, no blessing or promise that was made to Abraham to be ansuered [answered] upon the heads of his daughters shall fail, of being fulfilled upon thee, ... and from bondage shalt thou be set free, for a friend shall be given thee who is mighty, and none shall surpass his glory in the Priesthood, his name shall be counted great and in thy
lifetime shalt thou consider it and this blessing shall be fulfilled upon thine head. ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
lifetime shalt thou consider it and this blessing shall be fulfilled upon thine head. ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - Jul 7, 1845
Patriarchal Blessing of Samuel Bell given by William Smith ... thou art a legal heir in the kingdom of God and to the holy Priesthood, thy fathers were of a mighty nation and administered before the alter [altar], and through faith were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, put to flight the armies of the aliens and escaped the edge of the sword, they were men of unyielding Spirits, and who in eternity Volunte[e]red to take upon them tabernacles to fight the battles of the Lord, and be his ministers. it is for this cause thou hast been spared to live to behold this day and the glory of Zion ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
[Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - Jul 7, 1845
Patriarchal Blessing of Martha Tate given by William Smith .... thy name shall be written upon a Record this shall be done in the temple of the Lord then shall be revealed unto thee the destiny of thy forefathers they who were ordained unto the holy Priesthood and bore the ark of the covenant ... thy blood relatives shall be brought to inherit the celestial kingdom ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
[Patriarchal Blessings]
185 years ago today - Jul 7, 1840
[Wilford Woodruff]
July 7th I met with the Twelve & many officers in council at the Star Office whare much important business was transacted & council given. ... we walk to a paper storehouse whare Elders Young & Pratt had made a Contract for Paper sufficent to Print 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon. After seeing the Paper weighed & Paid for which amounted to £107 .
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
July 7th I met with the Twelve & many officers in council at the Star Office whare much important business was transacted & council given. ... we walk to a paper storehouse whare Elders Young & Pratt had made a Contract for Paper sufficent to Print 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon. After seeing the Paper weighed & Paid for which amounted to £107 .
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
185 years ago today - Jul 7, 1840 (Tuesday)
James Allred, Noah Rogers, Alanson Brown and Benjamin Boyce were kidnapped from Hancock County, Ill., by Missourians, and taken to Tully, Lewis Co., Mo., where they were imprisoned, whipped and ill-treated until nearly dead. Brown and Allred escaped a few days afterwards.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
185 years ago today - 1840 Jul 7
Letter from Joseph Smith to Crooked Creek IL branch. Four Saints are kidnapped from Hancock Co., Ill. and taken to prison in Missouri, where they are whipped and beaten. A group of Missourians had crossed the Mississippi in search of goods they claimed had been stolen from them, and having found a cache of them in the caves near the river bottoms on the Nauvoo side, they blamed the four Mormons, captured them, and beat confessions out of them. At this time there was a crime wave along the banks of the Mississippi, and many criminals would join the Church as a cover. When the four Mormons are kidnapped, Joseph protests loudly to Gov. Carlin about Gov. Boggs of Missouri. However, when the supposed theft is investigated, the cache of goods is found to be entirely too large to be the frame-up the Mormons had claimed it was, and Gov. Carlin begins to act less favorably toward the Saints. One of the Saints, Alanson Brown, is found guilty of the theft.
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]
195 years ago today - Jul 7, 1830
The Palmyra Reflector continues with Chapter 2 of its satirical "Book of Pukei". The account describes the angel Moroni as "a little old man...clad, as I supposed, in Egyptian raiment, except his Indian blanket, and moccasins-his beard of silver white, hung far below his knees. On his head was an old fashioned military half cocked hat, such as was worn in the days of the patriarch Moses-his speech was sweeter than molasses, and his words were the reformed Egyptian."
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
85 years ago today - Jul 6, 1940
[J. Reuben Clark]
Sylvester Q. Cannon'Said Jos. E. Robinson former President of the California Mission was writing some lurid articles for newspapers. I suggested he get all the facts he could and then report.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
Sylvester Q. Cannon'Said Jos. E. Robinson former President of the California Mission was writing some lurid articles for newspapers. I suggested he get all the facts he could and then report.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
140 years ago today - Jul 6, 1885
[Wilford Woodruff]
I Blessed Mother Barry 82 years old. She had 3 sons & 1 daughter Martered 2 sons & 1 Daughter by Indian and 1 Son in Tennessee martered By Christians for preaching the gospel.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I Blessed Mother Barry 82 years old. She had 3 sons & 1 daughter Martered 2 sons & 1 Daughter by Indian and 1 Son in Tennessee martered By Christians for preaching the gospel.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
145 years ago today - Jul 6, 1880
Deseret News reports on "the first non-Mormon Fourth of July celebration ever attempted in Utah." Its editorial the next day comments: "The 'Mormons' of Salt Lake City have not celebrated Independence Day in this fashion for several years... When we can celebrate the day as freemen, as other citizens of our common country celebrate," Salt Lake City "will again come to the front with her popular displays of patriotism."
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
180 years ago today - Sunday, July 6th, 1845
[John Taylor]
.... It has been remarked frequently that we are in eternity and that we have now begun to live for ever, A great many are at a loss to understand, how it is that we have begun to live for ever, and how we are counted with eternity. ...
[Sermon of John Taylor, recorded in 'The John Taylor Nauvoo journal, January 1845-September 1845,' BYU Studies 23:3 (1983) edited by Dean C. Jessee]
.... It has been remarked frequently that we are in eternity and that we have now begun to live for ever, A great many are at a loss to understand, how it is that we have begun to live for ever, and how we are counted with eternity. ...
[Sermon of John Taylor, recorded in 'The John Taylor Nauvoo journal, January 1845-September 1845,' BYU Studies 23:3 (1983) edited by Dean C. Jessee]
185 years ago today - 1840: 6 July
[Patriarchal blessing of Arnold Stephens, given by Joseph Smith, Sen.]
.... if faithful thou shalt see the sons of God come from the North Country, & thou shalt be crowned with them, and shall meet them in their armies as the Lord leads them by his Prophet, and when the highway is cast up thou shalt rejoice in the glory of God. ... his glory shall rest upon thee & thy face shall shine as the face of Mosses, & many will behold and tremble, & many cannot look upon thee for brightness. ... Thou art called to preach the Gospel and thou hast a great work to do thy mission is beyond the mighty waters thy call is in the East--West North & South even in South America and thou shalt not have passed over half the cities, till the son of man comes in the clouds of heaven, Angels shall minister to thee, the Nephites shall visit thee even the ancient fathers that tarried on the Earth--Thou shalt see the Revelator John, and shall stand upon the earth when he shall lead in his armies from the North ... thy privilege is to stand when the Savior comes and then be
crowned in the blessing of Joseph and stand with the 144,000 upon Mount Zion-... I now seal thee up to eternal life and seal thee against the destroyer and the Devil and all abominations and confirm thee in the name of Christ and by the authority of my office--Even so--Amen."
[Typescript; William Smith Patriarchal Blessing Book, pp. 196-198, RLDS Archives, Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
.... if faithful thou shalt see the sons of God come from the North Country, & thou shalt be crowned with them, and shall meet them in their armies as the Lord leads them by his Prophet, and when the highway is cast up thou shalt rejoice in the glory of God. ... his glory shall rest upon thee & thy face shall shine as the face of Mosses, & many will behold and tremble, & many cannot look upon thee for brightness. ... Thou art called to preach the Gospel and thou hast a great work to do thy mission is beyond the mighty waters thy call is in the East--West North & South even in South America and thou shalt not have passed over half the cities, till the son of man comes in the clouds of heaven, Angels shall minister to thee, the Nephites shall visit thee even the ancient fathers that tarried on the Earth--Thou shalt see the Revelator John, and shall stand upon the earth when he shall lead in his armies from the North ... thy privilege is to stand when the Savior comes and then be
crowned in the blessing of Joseph and stand with the 144,000 upon Mount Zion-... I now seal thee up to eternal life and seal thee against the destroyer and the Devil and all abominations and confirm thee in the name of Christ and by the authority of my office--Even so--Amen."
[Typescript; William Smith Patriarchal Blessing Book, pp. 196-198, RLDS Archives, Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
190 years ago today - Jul 6, 1835
Michael H. Chandler gives Joseph Smith the following certificate: "KIRTLAND, Jul 6, 1835. This is to make known to all who may be desirous, concerning the knowledge of Mr. Joseph Smith, Jun., in deciphering the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic characters in my possession, which I have, in many eminent cities, showed to the most learned; and, from the information that I could ever learn, or meet with, I find that of Mr. Joseph Smith, Jun., to correspond in the most minute matters. MICHAEL H. CHANDLER, Traveling with, and proprietor of, Egyptian mummies.'
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
195 years ago today - Jul 6, 1830
Priesthood restoration by Peter, James, and John occurs shortly after dawn near Harmony, Pennsylvania, as Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery are fleeing a mob at Colesville, New York.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
10 years ago today - 2015 July 5
After the gay marriage is legalized in the U.S., LDS Church services read and discuss a letter reaffirming the church's position on marriage and calling for civility.
[Wikipedia, 21st Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_century_(Mormonism)]
[Wikipedia, 21st Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_century_(Mormonism)]
140 years ago today - Sun., July 5th, 1885, 1885
[Abraham H. Cannon]
Bro. Jos. McMurrin was shot by a deputy marshal named Collins. It seems that there have long been ill feelings between the two because of the latter's sneaking around Agnes McMurrin's home to try and learn something about her actions, she being reported as a polygamist wife of Royal B. Young. These two met in the Social Hall lane first, when the deputy placed his pistol against Bro. M's abdomen and fired twice. Either one of the wounds would necessarily have been fatal. Bro. M. ran into the street before falling and was then conveyed to the City Hall where he was told he could not live more than 24 hours, and where he made his statement of the affair. Collins fled in the meantime to the U.S. Marshal who shielded and finally took him out to the "Pen," notwithstanding his solemn promise that he would bring the murderer to the City Hall and deliver him up to the proper officers. The deputy is to appear before Commissioner McKay on Monday. This sad event cast a gloom over all who heard
it for the victim is a most estimable and brave young man.
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
Bro. Jos. McMurrin was shot by a deputy marshal named Collins. It seems that there have long been ill feelings between the two because of the latter's sneaking around Agnes McMurrin's home to try and learn something about her actions, she being reported as a polygamist wife of Royal B. Young. These two met in the Social Hall lane first, when the deputy placed his pistol against Bro. M's abdomen and fired twice. Either one of the wounds would necessarily have been fatal. Bro. M. ran into the street before falling and was then conveyed to the City Hall where he was told he could not live more than 24 hours, and where he made his statement of the affair. Collins fled in the meantime to the U.S. Marshal who shielded and finally took him out to the "Pen," notwithstanding his solemn promise that he would bring the murderer to the City Hall and deliver him up to the proper officers. The deputy is to appear before Commissioner McKay on Monday. This sad event cast a gloom over all who heard
it for the victim is a most estimable and brave young man.
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
140 years ago today - Jul 5, 1885
Plural wife of Miles P. Romney (great-grandfather of Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney), Annie, writes to her sister: "I would find it very lonesome here if I had any spare time, but I have too much to do to think about it very often. I generally feel worst when I try to write, for a long time I always had to have a good cry, but I am getting hardened now so that I don't mind it so much. . . ."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
40 years ago today - Jul 4, 1985
Six LDS chapels are bombed in Chile, apparently by the Frente Patriotico Manuel Rodriguez, Chile's most important armed opposition to the Pinochet dictatorship.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
140 years ago today - Jul 4, 1885
[James E. Talmage]
Talmage arrives in Salt Lake City en route home after a trip to Idaho and discovers that a clash between the People's Party and the Liberal Party had occurred earlier in the day. In his journal Talmage writes the following:
We learned on inquiry that the United States' flag had been raised on several buildings at half mast [ordered by John Taylor], our people not feeling to rejoice on this the birthday of Independence, but rather to mourn for the death of Liberty in our midst. I feel sincerely to say "Amen" to the sentiment so expressed. We have true cause to regard Liberty as dead or dying in Utah; the oppressions and persecutions of late are exceedingly severe. The self-professed loyal citizens of the city chose to regard this act as an insult to the flag, and they tried with their usual feeling vindictiveness to incite a riot.
[MSS 229, Journal; Chronology of the Life and Work of James E. Talmage, J. Trevor Antley, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MJsHY83JZL_n6CjWq11y1trT_CVXMMXAx2uYOWAwn0c/edit#heading=h.2zfdaoa]
Talmage arrives in Salt Lake City en route home after a trip to Idaho and discovers that a clash between the People's Party and the Liberal Party had occurred earlier in the day. In his journal Talmage writes the following:
We learned on inquiry that the United States' flag had been raised on several buildings at half mast [ordered by John Taylor], our people not feeling to rejoice on this the birthday of Independence, but rather to mourn for the death of Liberty in our midst. I feel sincerely to say "Amen" to the sentiment so expressed. We have true cause to regard Liberty as dead or dying in Utah; the oppressions and persecutions of late are exceedingly severe. The self-professed loyal citizens of the city chose to regard this act as an insult to the flag, and they tried with their usual feeling vindictiveness to incite a riot.
[MSS 229, Journal; Chronology of the Life and Work of James E. Talmage, J. Trevor Antley, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MJsHY83JZL_n6CjWq11y1trT_CVXMMXAx2uYOWAwn0c/edit#heading=h.2zfdaoa]
140 years ago today - Jul 4, 1885 (Saturday)
The flag on the City Hall, County Court House and Z.C.M.I., Salt Lake City, was placed at half mast [at John Taylor's order], in token of mourning over the condition of affairs in Utah. Great excitement ensued, and threats of violence by anti-Mormons were made.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
175 years ago today - Jul 4, 1850 (Thursday)
The general assembly of the State of Deseret held a joint session and passed an ordinance taxing the sale of liquor at the rate of 50 per cent. ad valorem.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
195 years ago today - 1830 July [4-31]
D&C 25 (Harmony) Emma "an elect lady," not to murmur because of things she has not seen; comfort Joseph; be a substitute scribe while Oliver is gone; be ordained to expound the scriptures and exhort the church; compile a book of hymns.
[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]
195 years ago today - Jul 4, 1830
County of Chenango
To Ebenezer Hatch To Serving warrant on Joseph Smith & keeping him twenty four hours
$2.00 3 meals Victuel & 1 Lodging
.50 Suppoenying 5 witness
.62½
__------
$3.13½
75
______------
$2.37½ Dated at South Bainbridge July 4th 1830
{Editorial Note: Ebenezer Hatch was the constable for Chenango County. He arrested Joseph Smith on 30 June 1830, held him over night, and brought him before Justice Joseph P. Chamberlin on a charge of being a "disorderly person".
[Ebenezer Hatch, Bill of Costs, 1830, Chenango County Historical Society, Norwich, New York., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Ebenezer Hatch Bill Of Costs]
To Ebenezer Hatch To Serving warrant on Joseph Smith & keeping him twenty four hours
$2.00 3 meals Victuel & 1 Lodging
.50 Suppoenying 5 witness
.62½
__------
$3.13½
75
______------
$2.37½ Dated at South Bainbridge July 4th 1830
{Editorial Note: Ebenezer Hatch was the constable for Chenango County. He arrested Joseph Smith on 30 June 1830, held him over night, and brought him before Justice Joseph P. Chamberlin on a charge of being a "disorderly person".
[Ebenezer Hatch, Bill of Costs, 1830, Chenango County Historical Society, Norwich, New York., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Ebenezer Hatch Bill Of Costs]
195 years ago today - July 4-31, 1830
Doctrine and Covenants 26. Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and John Whitmer are to study the scriptures, preach, confirm members at Colesville, and farm as needed until the next conference. Church to be managed by common consent, prayer, and faith.
[Kenney, Scott; Saints Without Halos, 'Doctrine and Covenants,' http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/s/_dc.phtml]
[Kenney, Scott; Saints Without Halos, 'Doctrine and Covenants,' http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/s/_dc.phtml]
195 years ago today - July 4-31, 1830
Doctrine and Covenants 24. Joseph to write [begins compiling revelations this day]. Delivered from Satan [two arrests in the past week]. Stop sinning. Lord will curse those who don't accept Joseph. Full-time church service. No physical labors. Oliver to continue preaching , promised unprecedented strength. Don't require miracles except as commanded (casting out devils, healing the sick, power over serpents). Curse enemies, dust feet against them. Legal opponents to be cursed. Church to support financially.
[Kenney, Scott; Saints Without Halos, 'Doctrine and Covenants,' http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/s/_dc.phtml]
[Kenney, Scott; Saints Without Halos, 'Doctrine and Covenants,' http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/s/_dc.phtml]
175 years ago today - Jul 5, 1850
[Wilford Woodruff]
5th Lucy Johnson Died this morning at 3 oclok & was buried before we left Camp. Susan Woodruff was taken sick suddenly with extreme pain in all her limbs & Could not move a hand or foot without her schreaming. We Administered to her & she was healed. Phebe was also taken sick. We Administered to her & she was healed.
Mrs Woodruff was also quite unwell. There is some sickness & death in all the Camps we have heard from.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
5th Lucy Johnson Died this morning at 3 oclok & was buried before we left Camp. Susan Woodruff was taken sick suddenly with extreme pain in all her limbs & Could not move a hand or foot without her schreaming. We Administered to her & she was healed. Phebe was also taken sick. We Administered to her & she was healed.
Mrs Woodruff was also quite unwell. There is some sickness & death in all the Camps we have heard from.
[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 - Jul 5, 1845. Saturday.
[William Clayton]
....At 4 P.M. met at Dr. Richards...We conversed till about 7 o clock and then clothed and offered up prayers for general subjects. It was decided that the Trustees give to President Young a deed for the S.W. 25 7 N. 8 W and S.W. fr 10 7 N. 8 W. free of charge.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
....At 4 P.M. met at Dr. Richards...We conversed till about 7 o clock and then clothed and offered up prayers for general subjects. It was decided that the Trustees give to President Young a deed for the S.W. 25 7 N. 8 W and S.W. fr 10 7 N. 8 W. free of charge.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
180 years ago today - Jul 5, 1845
[Anointed Quorum]
Prayer circle meeting at 4 p.m. at Willard Richards's office: "We conversed till about 7 oclock and then clothed and offered up prayers for general subjects" .
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
Prayer circle meeting at 4 p.m. at Willard Richards's office: "We conversed till about 7 oclock and then clothed and offered up prayers for general subjects" .
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
190 years ago today - Jul 5, 1835
Joseph Smith writes: "Soon after this, some of the Saints at Kirtland purchased the mummies and papyrus, . . . I commenced the translation of some of the characters or hieroglyphics, and much to our joy found that one of the rolls contained the writings of Abraham, another the writings of Joseph of Egypt, etc., a more full account of which will appear in its place, as I proceed to examine or unfold them."
190 years ago today - Jul 5, 1835
[Brigham Young]
then then wee preached Simon Sniders house to an antentive congregation
except Daniel Perry made som destirbence and tride to brake up the meting but was e stoped by the oner of the house at intermison we cald upon the charity of the people to help ous on our Jurney old Mr Snider gave a york Shillen and a black man gave ten or eleven Cents, when I was apreachin the Sperit Came upon me to shake my garments in their presence and declare my self clar from their blood, we then left the nabor hood--
[Brigham Young Journal, 1832 Apr. 9-1836, Sept. 9, typescript]
then then wee preached Simon Sniders house to an antentive congregation
except Daniel Perry made som destirbence and tride to brake up the meting but was e stoped by the oner of the house at intermison we cald upon the charity of the people to help ous on our Jurney old Mr Snider gave a york Shillen and a black man gave ten or eleven Cents, when I was apreachin the Sperit Came upon me to shake my garments in their presence and declare my self clar from their blood, we then left the nabor hood--
[Brigham Young Journal, 1832 Apr. 9-1836, Sept. 9, typescript]
140 years ago today - Jul 3, 1885
Apostle Heber J. Grant records that First Presidency authorizes half-masting of American flags on Salt Lake city hall, court house, and at church-owned ZCMI on Jul 4. This causes near-riot by non-Mormons.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
145 years ago today - Jul 3, 1880
Apostle Wilford Woodruff preaches: "When we came here thirty-three years ago we found this place a barren desert. There was no mark of the white man here- It was a desert indeed, hardly a green thing to meet the eye." However his diary entry for Jul 24, 1847 describes the Salt Lake Valley: "We gazed with wonder and admiration upon the vast rich fertile valley which lay for about 25 miles in length & 16 miles in width Clothed with the Heaviest garb of green vegetation . . . [a] glorious valley abounding with the best fresh water springs rivlets creeks & Brooks & Rivers of various sizes all of which gave animation to the sporting trout & other fish while the waters were wending there way into the great Salt lake." Woodruff continues his sermon: "Joseph and Hyrum, it is true, were called to lay down their lives. Why? I believe myself it was necessary to seal a dispensation of this almighty magnitude with the blood of the testator for one thing, and for another thing the people were
worthy that put, him to death, and will have the bill to pay as the Jews had to pay for the blood of the Messiah."
worthy that put, him to death, and will have the bill to pay as the Jews had to pay for the blood of the Messiah."
155 years ago today - Jul 3, 1870
At 5 o'clock p.m. the First Presidency and Twelve met in the President's Bee Hive Mansion where Albert Carrington was ordained a member of the Twelve Apostles under the hands of Brigham Young, Geo. A. Smith, Daniel H. Wells, Orson Pratt, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Geo. Q. Cannon and Jos. F. Smith, Pres. Brigham Young being mouth. After this the brethren clothed and offered prayer in the usual order. [Carrington is the first general authority with B.A degree (Dartmouth College, 1834, Phi Beta Kappa). He is also first general authority who attended Ivy League school.]
[Minutes, 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]
[Minutes, 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]
180 years ago today - Jul 3, 1845. Thursday.
At 4 met [with the apostles]. We offered up our prayers for variety of subjects. ... It was decided to employ Brother [Isaac] Morley to make 100 barrels of wine for sacrament.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
185 years ago today - Jul 3, 1840
Joseph records that the Lord has begun to send plagues upon the nation because they are "guilty of murder, robbery and plunder, as a nation, because they have refused to protect their citizens, and execute justice according to their own Constitution." He goes on to list several hailstorms and other acts of God that are afflicting the nation at the present time.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology, History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 4:145.]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology, History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 4:145.]
190 years ago today - (Fri) Jul 3, 1835
Michael H. Chandler arrived in Kirtland and began exhibition of his four Egyptian mummies. Joseph Smith reportedly deciphered the Egyptian "hieroglyphic characters" found on scrolls acompanying the mummies, and on July 6th Chandler provided Smith with a signed statement verifying the proper translation. [He sells the mummies and papyrus scrolls to Joseph Smith for $2400 who begins to translate them using his white seer stone. His translation is later published as the Book of Abraham.]
[Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]
[Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]
195 years ago today - 1830 Jul 3
Trial over, Reed & Davidson engage the audience while Joseph Smith is snuck out the back and makes his way through the woods to Elizabeth Hale Wasson's house, where Emma waited for him.
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]
40 years ago today - Jul 2, 1985
Second counselor Gordon B. Hinckley dedicates the temple near Stockholm, Sweden. On this date the Swedish government issues a postage stamp commemorating the temple's dedication, and later this year Brazil's government issues a stamp commemorating fifty years of Mormon proselytizing among Brazilians.
[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 - Jul 2, 1945
[J. Reuben Clark]
I had breakfast with Mr. Herbert Hoover this morning, and we visited from eight until nine. ....
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
I had breakfast with Mr. Herbert Hoover this morning, and we visited from eight until nine. ....
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
125 years ago today - Jul 2, 1900; Monday
An order of $2,000. was also issued in favor of Heber J. Grant. Just before the late financial crisis in 1893, Brother Grant donated this amount in addition to some $5,000. or more, in favor of the Temple. Brother Grant gave his I.O.U. for this amount to Bishop [William B.] Preston and was credited on temple donation account. He became virtually bankrupt in consequence of the panic, on his representing to President Snow his inability to lift this obligation, and in view of the fact that he had already donated so liberally, President Snow forgave or cancelled the obligation; but as Bishop Preston had given Brother Grant credit for this amount this order is issued in favor of the Bishop's office to square his books.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
90 years ago today - Jul 2, 1935
[David O. McKay letter]
Under separate cover we are sending you two pamphlets entitled 'Origin of the Reorganized Church' and 'Blood Atonement and the Origin of Plural Marriage,' from which I feel sure you will gain much information in anser to your inquiries in regard to some things that have been troubling you of late. Both of these pamphlets were given the endorsement of the First Presidency of the Church at the time of their publication.
[David O. McKay, Letter to W. I. Ghormley, 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]
Under separate cover we are sending you two pamphlets entitled 'Origin of the Reorganized Church' and 'Blood Atonement and the Origin of Plural Marriage,' from which I feel sure you will gain much information in anser to your inquiries in regard to some things that have been troubling you of late. Both of these pamphlets were given the endorsement of the First Presidency of the Church at the time of their publication.
[David O. McKay, Letter to W. I. Ghormley, 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]
80 years ago today - Jul 2, 1945
Seventy-five-year-old Herbert S. Salisbury, grandson of Joseph Smith's sister Catherine Smith Salisbury, states: "Catherine Smith Salisbury, told me she was present at home when her brother, Joseph Smith, came in nearly exhausted, carrying the package of gold plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated. He was carrying the package clasped to his side with his left hand and arm, and his right hand was badly bruised from knocking down at least three men who had leaped at him from behind bushes or fences as he ran until out of breath. She said he entered the house running and threw himself on a couch panting from his extraordinary exertion. She told me Joseph allowed her to "heft" the package but not to see the gold plates, as the angel had forbidden him to show them at that period. She said they were very heavy."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
45 years ago today - Jul 1, 1980
Organization of Africa West Mission, first full-time mission directed specifically to black Africans, especially Nigerians.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
45 years ago today - Jul 1, 1980.
It is announced that the History Division, renamed the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Church History, will move to Brigham Young University. By February 1981 a sixteen-volume history of the church is canceled and the authors are paid for the proportion of work they have done.
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
85 years ago today - Jul 1, 1940
[J. Reuben Clark]
Donoher-Mr. (Dr?) Came in pursuant to telephone from Orval Adams. Came to tell me he had received word from very secret source that FBI people knew some of our German members were Hitlerites'Hitler spies. I explained our situation: the sympathy of our members; spoke of the foreign language meetings; the idle reports that were around about arrests e.g. Bp. Fetzer; read him from my conference talk in October lat (Germans vs Britons): our effort to keep our people (Germans) in line. etc. (I do not know why Donoher came to see me.).
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
Donoher-Mr. (Dr?) Came in pursuant to telephone from Orval Adams. Came to tell me he had received word from very secret source that FBI people knew some of our German members were Hitlerites'Hitler spies. I explained our situation: the sympathy of our members; spoke of the foreign language meetings; the idle reports that were around about arrests e.g. Bp. Fetzer; read him from my conference talk in October lat (Germans vs Britons): our effort to keep our people (Germans) in line. etc. (I do not know why Donoher came to see me.).
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
115 years ago today - Jul 1, 1910
.... a similar recommendation [to merge the Church's various magazines] was considered by the First Presidency and the Twelve during the lifetime of President [George Q.] Cannon, upon which occasion this question was thoroughly considered. And without any reference whatever to the conclusions of a former council, the same decision was reached by ourselves yesterday, which was in effect against attempting to merge the publications mentioned into one magazine, and among other reasons adduced why this should not be done was this, that for us to surrender the fields already occupied by these publications would be tantamount to an invitation on our part for others to step in and start rival publications, a thing without doubt would be done.
[First Presidency, Letter to Oleen N. Stohl and Counselors, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[First Presidency, Letter to Oleen N. Stohl and Counselors, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
135 years ago today - Jul 1, 1890
U.S. Senate bill to deny all Mormons any right to homestead public lands.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
145 years ago today - Jul 01, 1880
Martha Hughes Cannon receives a medical degree from Michigan Medical School. In August 1878, she had been set apart by President John Taylor to obtain this training.
180 years ago today - Jul 1, 1845
[Patriarchal Blessing of George W. Coray given by William Smith]
.... thy forefathers were those that held the Priesthood and administered before the altar, they built temples and Sanctuary's, they offered Sacrifices upon the altar, many of whom were descendants of Abraham but in the early times of prophets departed from the faith, even leaving the tribe and seed of Joseph; and mingling among the nations of the earth until thy lineage is counted of the tribe of Judah but in thy veins there is a sufficiency of the blood of Joseph to number the[e] with the covenant seed of promise ...
[Patriarchal Blessing of George W. Coray given by William Smith]
.... thy forefathers were those that held the Priesthood and administered before the altar, they built temples and Sanctuary's, they offered Sacrifices upon the altar, many of whom were descendants of Abraham but in the early times of prophets departed from the faith, even leaving the tribe and seed of Joseph; and mingling among the nations of the earth until thy lineage is counted of the tribe of Judah but in thy veins there is a sufficiency of the blood of Joseph to number the[e] with the covenant seed of promise ...
[Patriarchal Blessing of George W. Coray given by William Smith]
180 years ago today - Jul 1, 1845
[Hosea Stout]
This day there was a grand concert for the Police at the Masonic Hallit commenced at ten oclock myself & wife & L. Fisher went we had also the 12 and other authorities with us, and was also provided with as much beer, wine, cakes &c as we could eat and drink. We had a very entertaining time all was peace, good feelings, and brotherly love no discord or contention among us. It lasted untill about 6 oclock P. M. when we dismissed I came home.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
This day there was a grand concert for the Police at the Masonic Hallit commenced at ten oclock myself & wife & L. Fisher went we had also the 12 and other authorities with us, and was also provided with as much beer, wine, cakes &c as we could eat and drink. We had a very entertaining time all was peace, good feelings, and brotherly love no discord or contention among us. It lasted untill about 6 oclock P. M. when we dismissed I came home.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
180 years ago today - Jul 1, 1845
Apostle Parley P. Pratt, who had four wives at the time, writes to the MILLENIAL STAR warning English Mormons to "beware of seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils, as first introduced by John C. Bennett, under the name of 'spiritual wife' doctrine; and still agitated by the Pittsburg Seer, [Sidney Rigdon] and his followers under the same title." This is part of a pattern of false accusations against Sidney Rigdon who challenged the Apostles for leadership of the Church after Joseph's death. Rigdon had never advocated nor accepted polygamy.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
180 years ago today - Jul 1, 1845
Apparently some Saints were questioning the right of the Twelve to replace the wooden font which had been built under Joseph Smith's directions. In the Times and Seasons Brigham Young explained the reason for erecting the stone font and he wrote that the Saints should not wonder at the decision. Just because Joseph Smith had built, a wooden font did not mean that it should be permanent. He stated that he wanted a font that would not "stink" and take so much time in keeping it clean.
[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
185 years ago today - 1840: 1 July
[Patriarchal Blessing of Harriet Knowlton Given by Isaac Morley]
.... thy descent is from Jacob (notwithstanding thou hast much of the gentile blood running in thy veins). ...
[Typescript, William L. Knecht Family Records, Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
.... thy descent is from Jacob (notwithstanding thou hast much of the gentile blood running in thy veins). ...
[Typescript, William L. Knecht Family Records, Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
190 years ago today - Jul 1, 1835
Patriarchal Blessing of Amos F. Herrick given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... you shall stand upon the earth and behold the winding up scene of this generation. And though you shall be old yet you shall retain your full strength, and your vigor of mind shall not be abated; yea, you shall stand, having been faithful, and shall receive an inheritance, even the blessing of eternal life in the presence of God. These blessings are sealed upon you and upon your posterity to the latest generation; even so. Amen.
[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:20, quoted in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:20, quoted in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
195 years ago today - Jul 1, 1830
Joseph Smith arrived at Colesville, New York, about 25 June 1830 to baptize members of the Knight family and others on the following Sunday (27 June). However, baptisms were delayed a day when opponents destroyed the dam that had been constructed for this purpose. Moreover, Presbyterian minister John Sherer tried to prevent the baptism of one of his members, Emily Colburn. On 30 June, largely under the instigation of the Presbyterians, Smith was arrested by Constable Ebenezer Hatch for "disorderly conduct." On 1 July, Smith appeared before Justice Chamberlin for a pre-trial examination. Joseph Knight hired James Davidson and John Reed to defend Smith. While Smith claimed he was arrested "on a warrant, on charge of being a disorderly person; of setting the country in an uproar by preaching the Book of Mormon", more accurately, he was retried on the same charge he had narrowly escaped in March 1826. His preaching may have aroused his enemies, but it was not the legal basis for which
he was arrested and examined. Joseph Knight remembered that he was arrested for "pertending to see under ground" and that his enemies had found "a little Clause ... in the [New] york Laws against such things." Reed added that his client had been arrested "for the crime of glass looking and juglin fortune telling and so on which the State of New York was against it and made it a crime and the crime was a fine and imprisonment". The warrant was initiated by Abram W. Benton, who wrote that during the 1830 trial "it was shown that the Book of Mormon was brought to light by the same magic power by which he [Smith] pretended to tell fortunes, discover hidden treasures, &c." According to Justice Noble, before whom Smith appeared the following day in Colesville, "Jo. plead in bar Statue of Limitations". Wesley P. Walters noted, "The law limited the time for prosecution of a misdemeanor to three years ..., while four had elapsed. The prosecution may have felt it still had a case
since part of that time Joseph had been living in Harmony, Pa., and the law did not reckon the time spent outside the state as a part of the three year limitation". In other words, Benton and the others intended to finish the legal process begun in 1826 but not completed. Smith's defense proved successful. After the examination, which lasted an entire day, Smith was dismissed, then rearrested and taken to Colesville on the same charge. The trial was held on 2 July 1830 before Justice Noble, who also acquitted him. The following bill, submitted by Justice Chamberlin to the County Board of Supervisors for cases he examined or tried between 1 June and 20 October 1830, includes the first of Smith's two July 1830 court appearances.
[Joseph Chamberlin, Bill of Costs, 1830, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, Chenango County Office Building, Norwich, New York., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Joseph Chamberlin Bill Of Costs]
he was arrested and examined. Joseph Knight remembered that he was arrested for "pertending to see under ground" and that his enemies had found "a little Clause ... in the [New] york Laws against such things." Reed added that his client had been arrested "for the crime of glass looking and juglin fortune telling and so on which the State of New York was against it and made it a crime and the crime was a fine and imprisonment". The warrant was initiated by Abram W. Benton, who wrote that during the 1830 trial "it was shown that the Book of Mormon was brought to light by the same magic power by which he [Smith] pretended to tell fortunes, discover hidden treasures, &c." According to Justice Noble, before whom Smith appeared the following day in Colesville, "Jo. plead in bar Statue of Limitations". Wesley P. Walters noted, "The law limited the time for prosecution of a misdemeanor to three years ..., while four had elapsed. The prosecution may have felt it still had a case
since part of that time Joseph had been living in Harmony, Pa., and the law did not reckon the time spent outside the state as a part of the three year limitation". In other words, Benton and the others intended to finish the legal process begun in 1826 but not completed. Smith's defense proved successful. After the examination, which lasted an entire day, Smith was dismissed, then rearrested and taken to Colesville on the same charge. The trial was held on 2 July 1830 before Justice Noble, who also acquitted him. The following bill, submitted by Justice Chamberlin to the County Board of Supervisors for cases he examined or tried between 1 June and 20 October 1830, includes the first of Smith's two July 1830 court appearances.
[Joseph Chamberlin, Bill of Costs, 1830, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, Chenango County Office Building, Norwich, New York., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Joseph Chamberlin Bill Of Costs]
195 years ago today - 1830 Jul 1
Mob gathers at courthouse. Davidson reads the room and suggests Knight hire John Reed as well. Smith arraigned before Justice Joseph Chamberlin at 10am:
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CHAMBERLIN V JOSEPH SMITH JR, A DISORDERLY PERSON - CHENANGO COUNTY
- Witness: Oliver Cowdery - BoM translated by spectacles in silver bow; he-s legit
- Witness: Josiah Stowell - Joseph is legit a prophet; I saw a corner of the plates, they ¿resembled a stone of greenish caste¿
- Witness: Addison Austin - Joe is a fraud, and he told me so
- Witness: Jonathan Thompson - Joseph Smith didn¿t take my oxen bcz of a revelation, he bought them
- Witnesses: Rhoda (25) & Miriam (23) Stowell - Joseph Smith is a perfect gentleman
- Witness: Newel Knight: Joseph cast a devil out of me!
- Verdict: Acquittal (statute of limitations?)
----------------------------------------------------------------
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]
---------------------------------------------------------------
CHAMBERLIN V JOSEPH SMITH JR, A DISORDERLY PERSON - CHENANGO COUNTY
- Witness: Oliver Cowdery - BoM translated by spectacles in silver bow; he-s legit
- Witness: Josiah Stowell - Joseph is legit a prophet; I saw a corner of the plates, they ¿resembled a stone of greenish caste¿
- Witness: Addison Austin - Joe is a fraud, and he told me so
- Witness: Jonathan Thompson - Joseph Smith didn¿t take my oxen bcz of a revelation, he bought them
- Witnesses: Rhoda (25) & Miriam (23) Stowell - Joseph Smith is a perfect gentleman
- Witness: Newel Knight: Joseph cast a devil out of me!
- Verdict: Acquittal (statute of limitations?)
----------------------------------------------------------------
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]
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