Today In Mormon History

135 years ago today - Nov 6, 1891

[First Presidency letter to the Presidents of Stakes and Bishops of Wards]

It has been decided that it is no longer necessary for those going to the Temples to attend to ordinances therein to send their recommends to President Woodruff to be by him endorsed. The signatures of the Bishop and Stake President will be all that is required.

This decision applies to all ordinances attended to in the House of the Lord, except Second Anointings, which last named will still require the approval of the President of the Church before they can be administered. ...

[1891-November 6-Circular letter, Church Historian's Library, in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]

170 years ago today - Nov 6, 1856

[Hosea Stout]

An Express came in this morning announcing that the first company of Hand carts were in Echo Kanyon doing as well as could be expected and that the snow fell one foot deep this side the Little mountain last night. What the depth of snow on the Big mountain was may be imagined, to be at least two feet, while the weather is still like for more snow and the poor thin clad Hand Cart company must have yet a very cold hard time before the get in.

[Diaries of Hosea Stout]

170 years ago today - Nov 6, 1856

Brother Kimball said that any man that was faithful in the priesthood would have all the blessings He Could imagin or think in his heart and when Father Joseph Smith was on his dying bed I asked him to bless me so it might be written as he had blessed me several times & it was not written but Father Smith told me to write down every thing that I could think of in my heart or imagin & he would sign it & it should come to pass but He said a man must keep the Commandments of God in order to obtain the blessings.

[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

75 years ago today - Nov 5,1951

First Presidency learns of plans by Warner Brothers to make film about Mountain Meadows Massacre, based on recent scholarly book by LDS Juanita Brooks. Within seven days First Presidency successfully persuades Hollywood studio to kill project.

[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]

130 years ago today - Nov 5,1896

Apostle Lorenzo Snow's youngest plural wife bears his last child in Canada. At age 82 he is the oldest General Authority to father a child.

[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]

130 years ago today - Nov 5, 1896

Fast Day change-first Thursday to first Sunday ... the Fast Day mentioned ... was instituted following the famine of 1855-1856 in Utah. The principle underlying the inauguration of the Fast Day at that time was the rationing of foodstuffs by those families who had plenty and sharing with those whose crops had failed and had little or none. ...

This change ... to the first Sunday of each month marks an adjustment of the "Mormon" society to an increased industrialization which made a weekday Fast Service no longer feasible. ...

For many years these meetings were well attended, and they were of a most interesting character, and were a comfort and a strength to all who shared in them, as it was the practice for persons of both sexes to bear their testimony and take active part in them in each ward under the direction of the bishopric.

As the years rolled by, conditions changed, and it became more difficult for the people generally, and especially those in steady employment, to attend these meetings, until at the present time they have dwindled to such an extent that comparatively few have the opportunity of attending them...

In some places the custom has arisen to consider it a fast to omit eating breakfast. This is not in accordance with the views and practice of the past. When fasts were observed in the early days, it was the rule to not partake of food from the previous day until after the meeting in the afternoon of the fast day. ...

[Deseret Evening News, November 7, 1896, p. 7; Deseret Weekly, November 14, 1896, p. 678; Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]

130 years ago today - Nov 4, 1896

The First Presidency at their office today appropriated $100 in favor of the Deseret Museum, to be used by Brother James E. Talmage towards expenses in examining a bed of selenite in Kane County [Utah], discovered by Brother Franklin W. Young.

[Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]

160 years ago today - Nov 4, 1866

Presidet B. Young spoke upon Revelation 65 minuts. It was an interesting discourse. He said Revelation was as freequent as the weeds in the garden. All that we knew was by revelation.

[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

170 years ago today - Nov 4, 1856

At meeting with stake presidencies, ward bishoprics, and local quorum presidents, Brigham Young presents catechism for every Mormon to answer. Among questions: "Have you ever committed murder, shed innocent blood, or given your consent thereto? Have you ever committed adultery? Have you ever spoken evil of the church authorities or anointed of the Lord? Have you ever betrayed your brethren? Have you ever stolen or taken anything that was not your own? Have you ever taken the name of`God in vain? Have you ever been drunk? Do you pay your tithing? Do you teach your children the gospel? Do you pray in your family night and morning? Do you attend your ward meetings? Do you pray in secret? Do you wash your bodies once a week? At this meeting, Young answered only the last question: "Said that he did not. He had tried it. He was well aware that this was not for everybody."

[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]

30 years ago today - Nov 3, 1996

The Kinshasa Zaire Stake, the first stake in the African Democratic Republic of Congo, is organized.

[LDS Daily, www.ldsdaily.com]

195 years ago today - Nov 3, 1831

Early versions of D&C 133 (BCR 119 and another manuscript in the handwriting of Sidney Rigdon) read "the moon shall be blown out & the Stars shall be hurrelled [hurled] from their sockets." The text was changed "the moon shall with hold its light; & the Stars shall be hurrelled [hurled] from their plac[es]" (published in the May 1833 issue of the Evening and the Morning Star)

[Michael Marquardt, "Joseph Smith's Revelations", D&C 133]

195 years ago today - Nov 3, 1831

D&C 133 (Hiram): "The Appendix" to the Book of Commandments: Missionaries to all nations, 144,000, cataclysms; angel flying through the midst of heaven, day of vengeance, resurrection.

Ezra Booth letter #4 published: High expectations for June , 1831 conference. Joseph promised some would see the Savior. Joseph ordains Lyman Wight and others to the High Priesthood, then Lyman declares he has seen the Lord and Joseph delegates him to ordain the others. The "man of sin" is made manifest and Joseph casts him out.

[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]

20 years ago today - Nov 2, 2006

President Hinckley, at 96 years and 133 days, became the longest-lived Church president, a distinction previously held by President David O. McKay.

[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]

30 years ago today - Nov 2, 1996

The First Presidency announced the establishment of Latter-day Saint Charities, a charitable, nonprofit corporation designed to help the Church deliver humanitarian aid to the poor and needy of the world.

170 years ago today - Nov 2, 1856 (Afternoon)

[Brigham Young]

... spoke of people murmuring against the First Presidency, because of the immigration being caught in the snow'-Explained the cause of the late starting from the States this year, etc. I will inform the congregation that some of the first hand cart company that came in, one man is down with the small pox and is exposed. (Read the names of some that had been exposed to the disease.) He would like them not to mingle with the rest of the people until all danger of spreading the disease is over. Original Report. -- SLC Tabernacle

[General Church Minutes. Selected Collections from the Archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints DVD 1 (2002), in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]

185 years ago today - Nov 1, 1841

A small shack that has deteriorated into a graffiti-covered brothel is declared a nuisance by the city council and torn down. The owner becomes angered and demands payment for the damages. Joseph argues vigorously against making any such payments.

[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]

185 years ago today - November 1, 1841

Kilbourn the Anti-Mormon [Anti-Momonism folder]

[Bill Shepard, 'Chronology, Documented']

195 years ago today - Nov 1, 1831 (Tuesday)

Some of the brethren having criticised the language used in some of the revelations, given through Joseph the Prophet, the Lord gave the wisest among the Elders permission to write a revelation like the least of those the Prophet had received, on certain conditions. (See Doc. and Cov., Sec. 67.)

[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

90 years ago today - Oct 31,1936

First Presidency publishes unsigned editorial in Deseret News, which argues against re-election of Democratic president Franklin D. Roosevelt. Editorial, written by J. Reuben Clark, accuses F.D.R. of unconstitutional and Communist activities. In response one thousand Mormons angrily cancel their subscriptions to the News. Three days later, 69.3 percent of Utah's voters help re-elect Roosevelt. Utah's electorate re-elects F.D.R. again (1940,1944), despite First Presidency's opposition.

[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]

105 years ago today - Oct 31, 1921

The position we take in regard to the Bible you I have no doubt feebly understand; that is that the bible is (or contains) the word of God so far as it is translated correctly. That does not positively make the book as a whole an inspired presentation of the Word of God. There are matters in it that are historical and some of se may be of the character set forth by the 'higher criticisms'. That Moses is the accredited author of the Pentateuch is sustained by the Book of Mormon, and is the view held by our Church [which is questioned by some higher criticism scholarship]. It is evident that the five books passed through other hands than Moses, after his day and time. The closing chapter of Deuteronomy proves that, and there are some other things also in other parts of the Pentateuch which indicate that they have been revised at a later date than the days of Moses, but taking them as a whole Moses is considered by the Church as the author of those five books. It is generally understood that Jonah was a real individual. However it is barely possible that the story is one of those parables common in the writing of the time in which Jonah lived. It does not matter whether that is actually the case or not, the purpose and intent of the book are excellent and have several very grand lessons. These constitute the value of the work. It is of little significance as to whether Jonah was a real individual or one chosen by the writer of the book to write what is set forth therein. It is held by the Church that Job was a real character. It is barely possible that the book was one of the kind prevailing in olden times, setting forth certain principles in the form of a parable, as it was with the parables of Jesus Christ when in the flesh. That is not of very great importance so long as the doctrines contained in the work are correct. It is understood by the church that the Book of Isaiah is one book [questioned by higher criticism]; that is, that the writer of the first part and the latter part is one individual prophet, not two. The answer yes or no positively to such questions is unwise and should not be undertaken by one representing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ... 'Higher criticism' has lost ground as time goes on. The conclusions it conveys are matters of opinion, and diligent inquiry and the conclusions of the best opinions do not sustain notions entertained by the advocates of that 'criticism.' It is certainly not sustained by the authorities of the Church.

[Charles W. Penrose, for the First Presidency, Letter to Joseph W. McMurrin, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]

105 years ago today - Oct 31, 1921

[Charles W. Penrose for the First Presidency]

In the absence of President Grant I am replying to your letter dated October 26th, with the support of Prest. Ivins, who is united with me in the views I herein express. The position we take in regard to the Bible you I have no doubt feebly understand; that is that the bible is (or contains) the word of God so far as it is translated correctly. That does not positively make the book as a whole an inspired presentation of the Word of God. There are matters in it that are historical and some of se may be of the character set forth by the 'higher criticisms'. That Moses is the accredited author of the Pentateuch is sustained by the Book of Mormon, and is the view held by our Church. It is evident that the five books passed through other hands than Moses, after his day and time. The closing chapter of Deuteronomy proves that, and there are some other things also in other parts of the Pentateuch which indicate that they have been revised at a later date than the days of Moses, but taking them as a whole Moses is considered by the Church as the author of those five books. It is generally understood that Jonah was a real individual. However it is barely possible that the story is one of those parables common in the writing of the time in which Jonah lived. It does not matter whether that is actually the case or not, the purpose and intent of the book are excellent and have several very grand lessons. These constitute the value of the work. It is of little significance as to whether Jonah was a real individual or one chosen by the writer of the book to write what is set forth therein. It is held by the Church that Job was a real character. It is barely possible that the book was one of the kind prevailing in olden times, setting forth certain principles in the form of a parable, as it was with the parables of Jesus Christ when in the flesh. That is not of very great importance so long as the doctrines contained in the work are correct. It is understood by the church that the Book of Isaiah is one book; that is, that the writer of the first part and the latter part is one individual prophet, not two. The answer yes or no positively to such questions is unwise and should not be undertaken by one representing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ... 'Higher criticism' has lost ground as time goes on. The conclusions it conveys are matters of opinion, and diligent inquiry and the conclusions of the best opinions do not sustain notions entertained by the advocates of that 'criticism.' It is certainly not sustained by the authorities of the Church.