[Brigham Young]
He had a revelation to give concerning the lawyers that counsel for lucre and for gain, and that lead men into litigation for the purpose of aggrandizing themselves, which was that they would lose the spirit of the gospel and go to hell for their conduct in the midst of Latter-day Saints, in stirring up trouble and striving to clear the guilty for the sake of reward.
[Deseret News 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]
Today In Mormon History-fb
Several curious tidbits that happened on this day in Mormon History
165 years ago today - Apr 8, 1860
President Brigham Young than addressed the Bishop in a vary interesting manner Concerning there office. ... Among his remarks He said that when a Bishop fully magnified his office they would preside over there wards as a man does over his family. The Bishop would dictate to every man woman & Child what they should [do]. No one shall be Idle but all should labor. The Bishop would then dictate to every man what he should raise and how much and every one should be set to work and when any one in the ward should have bread all should have it. Well says the poor shiftless man that never earned a home or a pair of shoes I would like that doctrine for then I would have a house as Big as Brigham Young. No you would not until you Earned it. In speaking of Building up the Center stake he said I now the Lord will not keep us out of Jackson County one day longer than we are prepared and the only fears I have had in the matter is that the Lord will get tired of waiting for us to get ready and
will say I will wait no longer and if there is not more than five ready to go to Zion let them go & build it up. I do not think there is any prepared to go yet. I do not think that I am prepared yet to lay the Corner stone at the New Jerusalem, But I mean to prepare myself as fast as I Can.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
will say I will wait no longer and if there is not more than five ready to go to Zion let them go & build it up. I do not think there is any prepared to go yet. I do not think that I am prepared yet to lay the Corner stone at the New Jerusalem, But I mean to prepare myself as fast as I Can.
[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 - Apr 8, 1855 (Evening, Conference)
[General Conference]
Prest. Young asked: Is there a person called that has not been baptized? Joseph Hollingshead, is it not time that your were baptized, ordained, and sent on a mission? ... By and by they [Chief Walker & his tribe] will be the Lord's battle ax in good earnest'- ... Those [missionaries] who go among the Pottawatomies must marry or they will be driven out by the Indian Agent
[Thomas Bullock Minutes 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]
Prest. Young asked: Is there a person called that has not been baptized? Joseph Hollingshead, is it not time that your were baptized, ordained, and sent on a mission? ... By and by they [Chief Walker & his tribe] will be the Lord's battle ax in good earnest'- ... Those [missionaries] who go among the Pottawatomies must marry or they will be driven out by the Indian Agent
[Thomas Bullock Minutes 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]
170 years ago today - Apr 8, 1855 (Afternoon, Conference)
[Brigham Young]
If the '"old fogies'" take a little tobacco, a little whisky, or a little tea and coffee, we wish you boys to let it alone, and let those have it who have long been accustomed to its use. It is far better for these my brethren, who are young and healthy, to avoid every injurious habit. There are a great many boys here who are in the habit of chewing tobacco, they should stop it, and take no more, they are better without it. Some may turn round and say, '"Father, do you think so?'" Yes, let the old folks have it, but you young, smart gentlemen, let it alone.
[Journal of Discourses 2:266-271 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]
If the '"old fogies'" take a little tobacco, a little whisky, or a little tea and coffee, we wish you boys to let it alone, and let those have it who have long been accustomed to its use. It is far better for these my brethren, who are young and healthy, to avoid every injurious habit. There are a great many boys here who are in the habit of chewing tobacco, they should stop it, and take no more, they are better without it. Some may turn round and say, '"Father, do you think so?'" Yes, let the old folks have it, but you young, smart gentlemen, let it alone.
[Journal of Discourses 2:266-271 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]
170 years ago today - Apr 8, 1855 (Afternoon, Conference)
[Brigham Young]
When hands were laid upon a gentile to impart the Holy Ghost it would produce spasms, and if a gentile would continue faithful his blood would be changed and become the seed of and blood of Abraham, sometimes in one family 6 persons would be gentiles, and one in the family would be of Israel, the blood having been gathered in into that one from their progenitors.
[Historians Office Journal 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]
When hands were laid upon a gentile to impart the Holy Ghost it would produce spasms, and if a gentile would continue faithful his blood would be changed and become the seed of and blood of Abraham, sometimes in one family 6 persons would be gentiles, and one in the family would be of Israel, the blood having been gathered in into that one from their progenitors.
[Historians Office Journal as quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
180 years ago today - Apr 8, 1845
Illinois governor Thomas Ford writes to Brigham Young advising him on what to do after the Illinois Legislature had revoked Nauvoo's city charter (a move Ford opposed). He advises separating Nauvoo into a series of separately incorporated towns. He lists the "The powers under your town charters" which include "to prevent the indecent exhibition of horses." Ford's letter also states: "If you can get off by yourselves, you may enjoy peace; but, surrounded by such neighbors, I confess that I do not see the time when you will be permitted to enjoy quiet. I was informed by General Joseph Smith last summer, that he contemplated a removal West; and from what I learned from him and others at that time, I think if he had lived he would have begun to move in the matter before this time."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
185 years ago today - Apr 8, 1840
[Joseph Smith prophecies]
.... Afterwards read the parable of the 12 olive trees and said speaking of the Land of Zion [DEL: that :DEL] It consists of all N. & S America but that any place where the Saints gather is Zion which every righteous man will build up for a place of safety for his children [DEL: that :DEL] The olive trees are 12 stakes which are yet to be built not the Temple in Jackson [County, Missouri] as some suppose for while the 12 [DEL: olive :DEL] stakes are being built we will be at peace but the Nations of the Earth will be at war.
... The redemption of Zion is the redemption of all N & S America and those 12 stake must be built up before the redemption of Zion can take place and those who refuse to gather and build when they are commanded to do so cease to be Saviours of men and are henceforth good for nothing but shall be cast out and trodden underfeet of men ... Then the Enemy shall [DEL: brak :DEL] come as a thief in the night and scatter the servants abroad when the seed of these 12 Olive trees are scattered abroad they will wake up the Nations of the whole Earth Even this Nation will be on the very verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground and when the constitution is upon the brink of ruin this people will be the Staff upon which the Nation shall lean and they shall bear [DEL: away :DEL] the constitution away from the very verge of destruction --...Then the Kings & Queens shall come then the rulers of the Earth shall come then shall ail saints come yea the Foreign saints shall
come to fight for the Land of my vineyard ... --But before this the time shall be [DEL: when :DEL] these who are now my friends shall become my enemies and shall seek to take my life and [DEL: shall be m :DEL] there are those now before me who will more furiously pursue me [DEL: and :DEL] the more dilligently seek [DEL: to :DEL] my life and be more blood thirsty upon my track than ever were the Missouri Mobbers You say among yourselves as did them of old time it is I & is it I But I know these things by the visions of the Almighty.
But brethren come ye yea come all of you who can come and go to with your mights and build up the cities of the Lord and whosoever will let him come and partake of the poverty of Nauvoo freely for those who partake of her poverty shall also [DEL: shall also :DEL] partake of her prosperity. And it is now wisdom in God that we should enter into as compact a city as posible for Zion and Jerusalem [DEL: and :DEL] must both be built up before the coming of Christ [DEL: This will near a half of a century :DEL] How long will it take to do this 10 years Yes more than 40 years will pass before this work will be accomplished and when these cities are built then shall the coming of the Son of man be
... --And I prophecy in the name of the Lord that the state of Illinois shall become a great [DEL: mountain :DEL] and mighty mountain as a city set upon a hill that cannot be hid and a great that giveth light to the world [DEL: and :DEL] The city of Nauvoo als [o] shall become the greatest city in the whole world.
... We will build upon the top of this Temple a great observatory a great and high watch tower and in the top thereof we will Suspend a tremendous bell [DEL: whi :DEL] that when it is rung shall rouse the inhabitants of Madison wake up the people of Warsaw and sound in the ears of men [in] Carthage Then comes the ancient records yea all of them dig them yea bring them forth speedily
Then shall the poor be fed by the curious who shall come from all parts of the world to see this wonderful temple Yea I prophecy that pleasure parties shall come from England to see the Mamoth and like the Queen of Sheba shall say the half never was told them. School houses shall be built here and High schools shall be established and the great men of the [earth] shall send their sons here to board while they are receiving their education among us And even Noblemen shall crave the priviledge of educating their children with us and these poor saints shall chink in their pockets the money of these proud men received from such as come and dwell with us
Now brethren I obligate myself to build as great a temple as ever solomon did if the church will back me up. Moreover it shall not impoverish any man but enrich thousands I prophecy that the time shall be when these saints shall ride proudly over the mountains of Missouri and no Gentile dog nor Missouri dog shall dare lift a tongue against them but will lick up the dust from beneath their feet and I pray the father that many here may realize this and see it with their eyes. And if it should be (Stretching his hand towards the place and in a melancholly tone that made all hearts tremble) will of God that I might live to behold that temple completed and finished from the foundation to the top stone I will say Oh Lord it is enough Lord let thy servant depart in peace...
[The Words of Joseph Smith by Joseph Smith by Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook]
.... Afterwards read the parable of the 12 olive trees and said speaking of the Land of Zion [DEL: that :DEL] It consists of all N. & S America but that any place where the Saints gather is Zion which every righteous man will build up for a place of safety for his children [DEL: that :DEL] The olive trees are 12 stakes which are yet to be built not the Temple in Jackson [County, Missouri] as some suppose for while the 12 [DEL: olive :DEL] stakes are being built we will be at peace but the Nations of the Earth will be at war.
... The redemption of Zion is the redemption of all N & S America and those 12 stake must be built up before the redemption of Zion can take place and those who refuse to gather and build when they are commanded to do so cease to be Saviours of men and are henceforth good for nothing but shall be cast out and trodden underfeet of men ... Then the Enemy shall [DEL: brak :DEL] come as a thief in the night and scatter the servants abroad when the seed of these 12 Olive trees are scattered abroad they will wake up the Nations of the whole Earth Even this Nation will be on the very verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground and when the constitution is upon the brink of ruin this people will be the Staff upon which the Nation shall lean and they shall bear [DEL: away :DEL] the constitution away from the very verge of destruction --...Then the Kings & Queens shall come then the rulers of the Earth shall come then shall ail saints come yea the Foreign saints shall
come to fight for the Land of my vineyard ... --But before this the time shall be [DEL: when :DEL] these who are now my friends shall become my enemies and shall seek to take my life and [DEL: shall be m :DEL] there are those now before me who will more furiously pursue me [DEL: and :DEL] the more dilligently seek [DEL: to :DEL] my life and be more blood thirsty upon my track than ever were the Missouri Mobbers You say among yourselves as did them of old time it is I & is it I But I know these things by the visions of the Almighty.
But brethren come ye yea come all of you who can come and go to with your mights and build up the cities of the Lord and whosoever will let him come and partake of the poverty of Nauvoo freely for those who partake of her poverty shall also [DEL: shall also :DEL] partake of her prosperity. And it is now wisdom in God that we should enter into as compact a city as posible for Zion and Jerusalem [DEL: and :DEL] must both be built up before the coming of Christ [DEL: This will near a half of a century :DEL] How long will it take to do this 10 years Yes more than 40 years will pass before this work will be accomplished and when these cities are built then shall the coming of the Son of man be
... --And I prophecy in the name of the Lord that the state of Illinois shall become a great [DEL: mountain :DEL] and mighty mountain as a city set upon a hill that cannot be hid and a great that giveth light to the world [DEL: and :DEL] The city of Nauvoo als [o] shall become the greatest city in the whole world.
... We will build upon the top of this Temple a great observatory a great and high watch tower and in the top thereof we will Suspend a tremendous bell [DEL: whi :DEL] that when it is rung shall rouse the inhabitants of Madison wake up the people of Warsaw and sound in the ears of men [in] Carthage Then comes the ancient records yea all of them dig them yea bring them forth speedily
Then shall the poor be fed by the curious who shall come from all parts of the world to see this wonderful temple Yea I prophecy that pleasure parties shall come from England to see the Mamoth and like the Queen of Sheba shall say the half never was told them. School houses shall be built here and High schools shall be established and the great men of the [earth] shall send their sons here to board while they are receiving their education among us And even Noblemen shall crave the priviledge of educating their children with us and these poor saints shall chink in their pockets the money of these proud men received from such as come and dwell with us
Now brethren I obligate myself to build as great a temple as ever solomon did if the church will back me up. Moreover it shall not impoverish any man but enrich thousands I prophecy that the time shall be when these saints shall ride proudly over the mountains of Missouri and no Gentile dog nor Missouri dog shall dare lift a tongue against them but will lick up the dust from beneath their feet and I pray the father that many here may realize this and see it with their eyes. And if it should be (Stretching his hand towards the place and in a melancholly tone that made all hearts tremble) will of God that I might live to behold that temple completed and finished from the foundation to the top stone I will say Oh Lord it is enough Lord let thy servant depart in peace...
[The Words of Joseph Smith by Joseph Smith by Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook]
45 years ago today - Apr 7, 1980
Gordon B. Hinckley and J. Willard Marriott Jr. (LDS businessman) interviewed by Tom Brokaw on Today show.
[Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]
[Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]
60 years ago today - Apr 7, 1965
Ezra Taft Benson complained to BYU's president that "many of our political science and economics teachers are teaching false doctrine." This was a month after the Provo "section leader" of the John Birch Society began receiving reports from a Birch student majoring in economics about his "covert surveillance" of BYU's "liberal professors," including professor Richard D. Poll. BYU's Wilkinson concluded that Apostle Benson had received this information through his son Reed. Wilkinson was ... receiving separate reports from this same BYU-Birch student about Poll.
The Deseret News reports: Departing from his prepared text, Elder Benson ... referred to the fight against communism as "the war in heaven now raging on the earth." ... Elder Benson detailed the various arguments which he said Satan is using in a effort to blunt the fight against communism. ... "The Lord may not set up a specific program to fight for freedom for fear it might split the Church."
["Benson Ties Rights Issue to Reds in Mormon Rift," Washington Post, 13 Apr. 1965, A-5. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
The Deseret News reports: Departing from his prepared text, Elder Benson ... referred to the fight against communism as "the war in heaven now raging on the earth." ... Elder Benson detailed the various arguments which he said Satan is using in a effort to blunt the fight against communism. ... "The Lord may not set up a specific program to fight for freedom for fear it might split the Church."
["Benson Ties Rights Issue to Reds in Mormon Rift," Washington Post, 13 Apr. 1965, A-5. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
60 years ago today - Apr 7, 1965
"What are we doing to fight it [communism]? Before I left for Europe I warned how the Communists were using the civil-rights movement to promote revolution and eventual take-over of this country."
[Salt Lake Tribune, April 7, 1965, p.A-5]
[Salt Lake Tribune, April 7, 1965, p.A-5]
105 years ago today - Apr 7, 1920
There is a growing disposition on the part of some Bishops to take no action against apostates who are openly preaching against the Church.
[First Presidency, Meeting with Presiding Bishopric, 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]
[First Presidency, Meeting with Presiding Bishopric, 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]
115 years ago today - Apr 7, 1910
With LDS church president Joseph F. Smith and counselor John R. Winder, signs "Origin of Man" statement on organic evolution; joins board of Hotel Set apart as first counselor to President Joseph F. Smith.
[Danish Apostle: The Diaries of Anthon H. Lund, 1890-1921, Chronology]
[Danish Apostle: The Diaries of Anthon H. Lund, 1890-1921, Chronology]
115 years ago today - Apr 7, 1910; Thursday
President [Joseph F.] Smith: ... this body of men, this Council of Presidency and Apostles, compose the living constitution of the Church, with power to legislate, judge and decide.
... We represent the government of the holy priesthood, and besides, we are the special witnesses of Jesus Christ, also of Joseph Smith, and of the divinity of this great Latter-day work. ["Instructions given to Elder Joseph F[ielding]. Smith Jr., at the Salt Lake Temple, April 7th, 1910, immediately prior to his receiving ordination as an Apostle," LDS Archives. Note that the "living constitution" previously referred to the now defunct Council of Fifty.]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
... We represent the government of the holy priesthood, and besides, we are the special witnesses of Jesus Christ, also of Joseph Smith, and of the divinity of this great Latter-day work. ["Instructions given to Elder Joseph F[ielding]. Smith Jr., at the Salt Lake Temple, April 7th, 1910, immediately prior to his receiving ordination as an Apostle," LDS Archives. Note that the "living constitution" previously referred to the now defunct Council of Fifty.]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
115 years ago today - Apr 7, 1910; Thursday
Brother Richards raised the question as to the meaning of the statement in the Book of Mormon that that record contains the "fulness of the Gospel," in view of the fact that it is entirely silent as to the law of tithing, baptism for the dead and the sealing ordinances.
Pres[iden]t. [Joseph F.] Smith regarded it in this light: The Book of Mormon as it had been translated contained the fulness of the gospel to the Nephites, whereas what we had received was a fulness of the gospel to us. ...
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
Pres[iden]t. [Joseph F.] Smith regarded it in this light: The Book of Mormon as it had been translated contained the fulness of the gospel to the Nephites, whereas what we had received was a fulness of the gospel to us. ...
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
125 years ago today - Saturday, Apr 7, 1900
Pres. Snow. Dwelt upon the law of tithing. Referred to a large book which he exhibited to view containing the names of the non-tithe-payers of the church, amounting to 10,000 in number. ... Said the matter of paying tithing was very important, as among other things the redemption of Zion (namely, Jackson County) would be brought about by purchase with the tithes of the people.
[One listed non-tithe-paer is the Apostle John W. Taylor.]
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
[One listed non-tithe-paer is the Apostle John W. Taylor.]
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
130 years ago today - Apr 7, 1895
[Apostle Brigham Young Jr.]
Pres[iden]t Woodruff spoke 38 m. said to elders Let the mysteries of who God is Christ is and Adam alone, We know & you know they exist and have and are performing their work. Elders turn your thoughts to those things you can understand and stop troubling yourselves over these abstruse questions. God will reveal them all in His own tine & place.
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Pres[iden]t Woodruff spoke 38 m. said to elders Let the mysteries of who God is Christ is and Adam alone, We know & you know they exist and have and are performing their work. Elders turn your thoughts to those things you can understand and stop troubling yourselves over these abstruse questions. God will reveal them all in His own tine & place.
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Mon. April 7th, 1890
[Apostle Abraham H. Cannon]
Geo. Q. Cannon "said it was very improper for children under 8 years of age, who seemed to be approaching death, to be ordained to the Priesthood; it was also wrong for children over this age who were sick and had not been baptized to be ordained. Under no circumstances should children of a less age than 8 years be ordained or baptized."
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
Geo. Q. Cannon "said it was very improper for children under 8 years of age, who seemed to be approaching death, to be ordained to the Priesthood; it was also wrong for children over this age who were sick and had not been baptized to be ordained. Under no circumstances should children of a less age than 8 years be ordained or baptized."
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
145 years ago today - Apr 7, 1880
Conference sustains the first Utah-born general authority, William W. Taylor as a member of the First Council of the Seventy.
[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 )]]
145 years ago today - Apr 7, 1880
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff]
As it was a year of Jubilee $800,000 of the perpetual Emigrating fund was forgiven to the Poor in Debts which they owed the institution. Also $75,899.01 of Back Tithing was forgiven the Poor. 1,000 Cows was to be given to the widows & poor & the Church was to furnish 300 of them. 5,000 sheep was to be given to the Poor & 2,000 of them to be furnished by the Church. The relief Society of the Sisters were to furnish as a loan 34,000 Bushels of the wheat they had in Store for seed to the poor who needed it but that must be paid Back again. And the Bishops were held responsible for the return of the same.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
As it was a year of Jubilee $800,000 of the perpetual Emigrating fund was forgiven to the Poor in Debts which they owed the institution. Also $75,899.01 of Back Tithing was forgiven the Poor. 1,000 Cows was to be given to the widows & poor & the Church was to furnish 300 of them. 5,000 sheep was to be given to the Poor & 2,000 of them to be furnished by the Church. The relief Society of the Sisters were to furnish as a loan 34,000 Bushels of the wheat they had in Store for seed to the poor who needed it but that must be paid Back again. And the Bishops were held responsible for the return of the same.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
160 years ago today - Apr 7, 1865
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff]
7, 8 & 9 Was spent in Conference. Presidents B Young & Kimball & most of the Corum of the Twelve Preached. President Young Delivered one WO upon the Merchants and another Wo upon the Lawyiers. We had a good Conference.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
7, 8 & 9 Was spent in Conference. Presidents B Young & Kimball & most of the Corum of the Twelve Preached. President Young Delivered one WO upon the Merchants and another Wo upon the Lawyiers. We had a good Conference.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Apr 7, 1860
Brigham Young announces: "When I present the authorities of this Church for the Conference to vote upon, if there is a member here who honestly and sincerely thinks that any person whose name is presented should not hold the office he is appointed to fill, let him speak. I will give full liberty, not to preach sermons, nor to degrade character, but to briefly state objections, and at the proper time I will hear the reasons for any objections that may be advanced." Mormon diarist writes that "a wonder among the Saints" occurs during sustaining, when one man votes against Heber C. Kimball. He remains first counselor, but identity of the dissident is unknown.
[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 )]]
165 years ago today - Apr 7, 1860
the first Pony Express rider arrived in Salt Lake City having left Sacramento, California on the evening of April 3. On April 9 the first Pony Express rider from the east arrived in Salt Lake City, having left St. Joseph, Missouri on the evening of April 3.
[History to Go, Pioneers and Cowboys, http://historytogo.utah.gov/timeline/pioneersandcowboys.html]
[History to Go, Pioneers and Cowboys, http://historytogo.utah.gov/timeline/pioneersandcowboys.html]
170 years ago today - Apr 7, 1855
Brigham Young establishes Deseret Theological Institute which is open to women who comprise 37 percent of its membership. However, women do not lecture on same equality they experience in non-institutional Polysophical Society.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
175 years ago today - Apr 7, 1850
Brigham Young is Trustee-in-Trust, first time for LDS president since 1844.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
180 years ago today - Apr 7, 1845 (Afternoon, Conference)
[The conference sustained Brigham Young] as the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to this Church and nation, and all nations, and also as the President of the whole Church of Latter Day Saints. -- Nauvoo, Illinois [This is edited out of the church newspaper's conference minutes.]
[[General Church Minutes 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]
[[General Church Minutes as quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
180 years ago today - Apr 7, 1845 (Afternoon, Conference)
[Brigham Young Sermon]
[The conference sustained Young] as the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to this Church and nation, and all nations, and also as the President of the whole Church of Latter Day Saints. -- Nauvoo, Illinois [This is edited out of the church newspaper's conference minutes.]
[[General Church Minutes 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]
[The conference sustained Young] as the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to this Church and nation, and all nations, and also as the President of the whole Church of Latter Day Saints. -- Nauvoo, Illinois [This is edited out of the church newspaper's conference minutes.]
[[General Church Minutes 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]
55 years ago today - Apr 6, 1970
"Despite continued threats of demonstrations," Harold B. Lee's biography observes, "not a single hand was raised in opposition" to the First Presidency on 6 April 1970. After the vote, Lee spoke against "the possibility of using political devices or revolutionary methods that could cause much confusion and frustration in the work of the Lord." The official photograph showing the Twelve's vote for the current First Presidency showed only three apostles, and the photograph centered on Ezra Taft Benson.
Rank-and-file Mormons noted that for the first time "in many years," Ezra Taft Benson gave "his first non-political sermon" ... They regarded this non-partisan talk as a result of specific instructions the apostle had received from the First Presidency.
[Buchanan diary, 21 July 1970; Ezra Taft Benson, "A World Message," Improvement Era 73 (June 1970): 95-97, whose only political reference was prophetic: "The time must surely come when the Iron Curtain will be melted down and the Bamboo Curtain shattered"; Goates, Harold B. Lee, 414; Lee, "The Day in Which We Live," and photograph of "Council of the Twelve" vote in "The Solemn Assembly," Improvement Era 73 (June 1970): 28,20. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
Rank-and-file Mormons noted that for the first time "in many years," Ezra Taft Benson gave "his first non-political sermon" ... They regarded this non-partisan talk as a result of specific instructions the apostle had received from the First Presidency.
[Buchanan diary, 21 July 1970; Ezra Taft Benson, "A World Message," Improvement Era 73 (June 1970): 95-97, whose only political reference was prophetic: "The time must surely come when the Iron Curtain will be melted down and the Bamboo Curtain shattered"; Goates, Harold B. Lee, 414; Lee, "The Day in Which We Live," and photograph of "Council of the Twelve" vote in "The Solemn Assembly," Improvement Era 73 (June 1970): 28,20. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
115 years ago today - Apr 6, 1910
The reading of my own name as an Apostle to fill the vacancy caused by the removal of Elder John Henry Smith from the Quorum of the Twelve and his promotion to the First Presidency, came to me, as to the entire assembly, as a most sudden and to me unexpected shock, and left me in complete bewilderment from which I have not in days recovered. I feel extremely weak and pray to my heavenly Father for strength and guidance in my great responsibility that I shall not falter nor fail to perform all that is required on me. ... Oh my father, help me, guide me in Thy truth and fit and qualify me, for I am weak, that I may indeed be Thy servant and have Thy Holy spirit to guide me and direct my feet in the path of wisdom as one of the special witnesses of Thy Beloved son, who died and I might live and be numbered among His chosen people through faithfulness to His Gospel and obedience to His laws. Give me strength and courage and buoy me up that I that I may be worthy to bear Thy name and
labor in Thy Kingdom and in the knowledge and testimony of the truth for I know the gospel is true and through obedience thereto is salvation through the name of Jesus Christ whose servant I am called to be.
[Joseph Fielding Smith, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
labor in Thy Kingdom and in the knowledge and testimony of the truth for I know the gospel is true and through obedience thereto is salvation through the name of Jesus Christ whose servant I am called to be.
[Joseph Fielding Smith, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
120 years ago today - Apr 6, 1905; Thursday
[William Smart]
Today at the afternoon meeting the general authorities were sustained. One person voted against Pres[ident]. Jos[eph]. F. Smith and one against the Apostles. Since the [Reed] Smoot investigation has been on Saint has been working through his emmesaries both at home and abroad to stir up op[p]osition to Pres[ident]. Smith and other general authorities. He is now crying commercialism, charging that the tithes of the people are being wrongfuly used for the benefit of the authorities or for commercial investments to control same for the ag[g]randisement fo the authorities. Also that the Churcha s such is still practicing polygamy. Along with this comes a faction who hold that plural marriage ought not to have been stopped and that Pres[ident]. Smith should be removed and another put in who would restore it. It was said that it was their expectation that it would be done Sunday of Conference and that among it all quite a number would be present to vote against him sunday. The people
never voted for the authorities with so much energy as upon today.
[William H. Smart, Diary]
Today at the afternoon meeting the general authorities were sustained. One person voted against Pres[ident]. Jos[eph]. F. Smith and one against the Apostles. Since the [Reed] Smoot investigation has been on Saint has been working through his emmesaries both at home and abroad to stir up op[p]osition to Pres[ident]. Smith and other general authorities. He is now crying commercialism, charging that the tithes of the people are being wrongfuly used for the benefit of the authorities or for commercial investments to control same for the ag[g]randisement fo the authorities. Also that the Churcha s such is still practicing polygamy. Along with this comes a faction who hold that plural marriage ought not to have been stopped and that Pres[ident]. Smith should be removed and another put in who would restore it. It was said that it was their expectation that it would be done Sunday of Conference and that among it all quite a number would be present to vote against him sunday. The people
never voted for the authorities with so much energy as upon today.
[William H. Smart, Diary]
125 years ago today - Friday April 6th 1900
Pres. Geo. Q. Cannon said: "To me Joseph Smith was a perfect man. I regarded Brigham Young in the same light. "Pres. Snow told the Priesthood Meeting: "This Church must have a revenue of millions. What for? To buy up the land of Zion. It must be obtained by purchase. The time is near when each man will have all the wealth he disires. ..." At the Priesthood Meeting Pres.
[Diary Excerpts of Anthony W. Ivins, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Diary Excerpts of Anthony W. Ivins, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
145 years ago today - Apr 6, 1880
John Taylor restores Old Testament practice of jubilee celebration, in honor of church's fiftieth birthday. He forgives half of unpaid tithing and debts owed to Perpetual Emigrating Fund and encourages charitable gifts to poor.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
145 years ago today - Apr 6, 1880
John Taylor restores the Old Testament practice of the jubilee celebration, in honor of the church's fiftieth birthday. He forgives half of the unpaid tithing and debts owed to the Perpetual Emigrating Fund and encourages charitable gifts to the poor.
[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 )]]
145 years ago today - Apr 6, 1880
Mr. Orrin Reed [said of Joseph Smith] He had frequent revelations.' Here Mr. Reed and his wife related the story of the sacrifice of a black sheep, in order to obtain a certain treasure which had been abstracted by the devil from its place of concealment beneath the soil of `Mormon Hill.' The sheep having been procured from one of their neighbors." . . .
[Cadillac (MI) Weekly News, 6 April 1880, as quoted in Ontario County Times (Canandaigua, New York), 27 July 1881., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Cadillac (Mi) Weekly News]
[Cadillac (MI) Weekly News, 6 April 1880, as quoted in Ontario County Times (Canandaigua, New York), 27 July 1881., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Cadillac (Mi) Weekly News]
165 years ago today - Apr 6, 1860
Twenty-seven-year-old Joseph Smith III accepts the presidency of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at Amboy, Illinois. Emma Smith Bidamon accompanies him to the conference and also affiliates with the new church, as do Alexander Hale and David Hyrum. (Frederick dies in 1862 without joining the RLDS Church.)
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books, http://bit.ly/lucys-book]
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books, http://bit.ly/lucys-book]
170 years ago today - Apr 6, 1855 (Morning, Conference)
[Brigham Young Sermon]
President Brigham Young said the key was turned, the Gospel should be sent to the lost sheep of the House of Israel [American Indians], and there were a good many Elders called to take missions to the House of Joseph at this conference. -- SLC Tabernacle
[Joseph Lee Robinson Diary, USOn the Mormon Frontier, the Diaries of Hosea Stout. Juanita Brooks, ed. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1964.. 64 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]
President Brigham Young said the key was turned, the Gospel should be sent to the lost sheep of the House of Israel [American Indians], and there were a good many Elders called to take missions to the House of Joseph at this conference. -- SLC Tabernacle
[Joseph Lee Robinson Diary, USOn the Mormon Frontier, the Diaries of Hosea Stout. Juanita Brooks, ed. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1964.. 64 as quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
180 years ago today - Apr 6, 1845
Sidney Rigdon: Organized own church 6 Apr. 1845 but lost members 1846, last conference Jan. 1847, and withdrew from Pennsylvania to Allegheny County, New York
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
180 years ago today - Apr 6, 1845
The Twelve Apostles issue "Proclamation...To all the Kings of the World; To the President of the United States of America; To the Governors of the Several States, And to the Rulers and People of all Nations."
[Ludlow, Daniel H. editor, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Macmillan Publishing, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol. 4, Appendix 2: A Chronology of Church History, http://amzn.to/eG0DIp]
[Ludlow, Daniel H. editor, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Macmillan Publishing, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol. 4, Appendix 2: A Chronology of Church History, http://amzn.to/eG0DIp]
180 years ago today - Apr 6, 1845
[Brigham Young Sermon]
I would now call your attention to some of the saying of the apostle Paul. I hope you will not stumble at them. Paul says, "nevertheless, neither is the man without the woman. neither the woman without the man, in the Lord, for as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the women, but all things of God." The same Apostle also says, "The woman is the glory of the man." Now brethren, these are Paul's sayings, not Joseph Smith's spiritual wife system sayings. ... we can say we built this temple for as the Lord lives we will build up Jackson county in this generation.
... I say so to every man upon the face of the earth; if he wishes to be saved he cannot be saved without a woman by his side. This is spiritual wife ism, that is, the doctrine of spiritual wives.
Lest these my sisters should think I give power into the hands of their husbands to abuse them, I would say there is no man has a right to govern his wife and family unless he does it after the order of the church of Christ...
Now ye elders of Israel will you go and beat your wives? ...
This brings to my memory a circumstance that transpired in the temple at Kirtland. A very pious lady came to see the temple, she walked up and down in the house, with her hands locked together, and after the escape of one or two of the sectarians most sanctified groans, she exclaimed, "The Lord does not like such extravagance." Poor thing, I wonder how she will walk upon the streets when they are paved with gold; she could not bear to see the temple of God adorned and beautified, and the reason was because she was full of the devil.
We will have a [temple baptism] fount that will not stink and keep us all the while cleansing it out: and we will have a pool wherein to baptism the sick, that they may recover. ...
... know ye not that the millennium has commenced? We have had Zion upon the earth this fourteen years...
[Times and Seasons 6:953-957 as quoted in Elden J. Watson, ed. Brigham Young Addresses, 1801-1877: A Chronological Compilation of Known Addresses of the Prophet Brigham Young, 6 vols. (Salt Lake City: Privately published, 1971)]
I would now call your attention to some of the saying of the apostle Paul. I hope you will not stumble at them. Paul says, "nevertheless, neither is the man without the woman. neither the woman without the man, in the Lord, for as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the women, but all things of God." The same Apostle also says, "The woman is the glory of the man." Now brethren, these are Paul's sayings, not Joseph Smith's spiritual wife system sayings. ... we can say we built this temple for as the Lord lives we will build up Jackson county in this generation.
... I say so to every man upon the face of the earth; if he wishes to be saved he cannot be saved without a woman by his side. This is spiritual wife ism, that is, the doctrine of spiritual wives.
Lest these my sisters should think I give power into the hands of their husbands to abuse them, I would say there is no man has a right to govern his wife and family unless he does it after the order of the church of Christ...
Now ye elders of Israel will you go and beat your wives? ...
This brings to my memory a circumstance that transpired in the temple at Kirtland. A very pious lady came to see the temple, she walked up and down in the house, with her hands locked together, and after the escape of one or two of the sectarians most sanctified groans, she exclaimed, "The Lord does not like such extravagance." Poor thing, I wonder how she will walk upon the streets when they are paved with gold; she could not bear to see the temple of God adorned and beautified, and the reason was because she was full of the devil.
We will have a [temple baptism] fount that will not stink and keep us all the while cleansing it out: and we will have a pool wherein to baptism the sick, that they may recover. ...
... know ye not that the millennium has commenced? We have had Zion upon the earth this fourteen years...
[Times and Seasons 6:953-957 as quoted in Elden J. Watson, ed. Brigham Young Addresses, 1801-1877: A Chronological Compilation of Known Addresses of the Prophet Brigham Young, 6 vols. (Salt Lake City: Privately published, 1971)]
180 years ago today - Apr 6, 1845
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff]
Manchester Conference
... At the close of the evening I occupyed a few moments in representing my conference which consisted of the United States of America containing one quorum of the Twelve, one high Council, 300 High Priest 1,050 of the Seventies, 5,000 Elders And about the same number of Priest Teachers & Deacons And about one hundred thousand members including the officers And generally in vary good standing, had built two or three towns, & one city with a population of about 15,000 souls had built two Temples & laid the foundation of another, had suffered much Persecution & 50 or more had sealed their testimony with their lives. but were in a good State of prosperity.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Manchester Conference
... At the close of the evening I occupyed a few moments in representing my conference which consisted of the United States of America containing one quorum of the Twelve, one high Council, 300 High Priest 1,050 of the Seventies, 5,000 Elders And about the same number of Priest Teachers & Deacons And about one hundred thousand members including the officers And generally in vary good standing, had built two or three towns, & one city with a population of about 15,000 souls had built two Temples & laid the foundation of another, had suffered much Persecution & 50 or more had sealed their testimony with their lives. but were in a good State of prosperity.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
195 years ago today - April 6th, 1830
The Holy Ghost was poured out upon the whole community . . . in a miraculous manner.... Some prophecied, [sic] many spoke with new tongues, and some . . . of our number were . . . completely overpowered for a time, that we were obliged to lay them upon beds &c &c, and when bodily sensibility was restored to them they shouted Hosanas to God and the Lamb—& declared that the Heavens had been opened unto them . . . that they had seen Jesus Christ sitting at the right hand of the Majesty on high, and many great and glorious things. [When the editors of the history moved this passage to its proper place, the reference to "new tongues" was dropped]
[Dean C. Jessee, ed., The Papers of Joseph Smith. Volume 1: Autobiographical and Historical Writings (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1989), 243 as quoted in Dan Vogel and Scott C. Dunn, '"The Tongue of Angels": Glossolalia among Mormonism's Founders,' Journal of Mormon History Vol. 19, No. 2, 1993]
[Dean C. Jessee, ed., The Papers of Joseph Smith. Volume 1: Autobiographical and Historical Writings (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1989), 243 as quoted in Dan Vogel and Scott C. Dunn, '"The Tongue of Angels": Glossolalia among Mormonism's Founders,' Journal of Mormon History Vol. 19, No. 2, 1993]
195 years ago today - Apr 6, 1830
The Church of Christ incorporated according to the laws of the New York. The traditional site for this meeting is the Peter Whitmer, Sr., log house in Fayette, New York. However, there is also evidence that the meeting may have taken place in the old Smith family log cabin in Manchester, New York.
Six men were the incorporators. No minutes of the meeting exists and a variety of lists of these men have appeared. The earliest list (1833) gives the names of Joseph Smith, Jr., Oliver Cowdery, Joseph Knight, Hyrum Smith, Joseph Smith, Sr., and Samuel Smith. A later list [1877] by David Whitmer gives Joseph Smith, Jr., Oliver Cowdery, Hyrum Smith, David Whitmer, Christian Whitmer and John Whitmer. In other lists Whitmer includes Martin Harris and Peter Whitmer, while omitting Christian and John Whitmer. Without minutes or the incorporation papers the identity of the six men cannot be precisely determined.
There were persons others present. David Whitmer wrote that there were "about 20 from Colesville, 15 from Manchester Church and about 20 from around Father Whitmers". This figure is probably inflated, because the minutes of the Church's second conference, 26 Sept. 1830, give the total Church membership as sixty-two, with thirty-five of those having been baptized between 9 June and 26 Sept. 1830.
Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery ordained each other elders. Other men were also ordained elders. Oliver also ordained Joseph as a prophet, seer and revelator. The Sacrament was passed, and baptisms and confirmations were performed. Later Joseph and Oliver's ordinations were refined to reflect the two men's position in the priesthood hierarchy: Joseph Smith became "first elder" and Oliver Cowdery "second elder." (Book of Commandments [1833] refers to both men as elders [Chap. XXIV, vss. 3-4], but in the Doctrine and Covenants [1835] the text was changed to "first elder" and "second elder." [Sect. 2, vs. 1])
[Lisle G Brown, compiler, "Organizational Chronology of The Church of Christ, and The Church of the Latter Day Saints, 1829 - 1836"]
Six men were the incorporators. No minutes of the meeting exists and a variety of lists of these men have appeared. The earliest list (1833) gives the names of Joseph Smith, Jr., Oliver Cowdery, Joseph Knight, Hyrum Smith, Joseph Smith, Sr., and Samuel Smith. A later list [1877] by David Whitmer gives Joseph Smith, Jr., Oliver Cowdery, Hyrum Smith, David Whitmer, Christian Whitmer and John Whitmer. In other lists Whitmer includes Martin Harris and Peter Whitmer, while omitting Christian and John Whitmer. Without minutes or the incorporation papers the identity of the six men cannot be precisely determined.
There were persons others present. David Whitmer wrote that there were "about 20 from Colesville, 15 from Manchester Church and about 20 from around Father Whitmers". This figure is probably inflated, because the minutes of the Church's second conference, 26 Sept. 1830, give the total Church membership as sixty-two, with thirty-five of those having been baptized between 9 June and 26 Sept. 1830.
Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery ordained each other elders. Other men were also ordained elders. Oliver also ordained Joseph as a prophet, seer and revelator. The Sacrament was passed, and baptisms and confirmations were performed. Later Joseph and Oliver's ordinations were refined to reflect the two men's position in the priesthood hierarchy: Joseph Smith became "first elder" and Oliver Cowdery "second elder." (Book of Commandments [1833] refers to both men as elders [Chap. XXIV, vss. 3-4], but in the Doctrine and Covenants [1835] the text was changed to "first elder" and "second elder." [Sect. 2, vs. 1])
[Lisle G Brown, compiler, "Organizational Chronology of The Church of Christ, and The Church of the Latter Day Saints, 1829 - 1836"]
55 years ago today - Apr 5, 1970
When a bomb threat is phoned during the afternoon session of conference, first counselor Harold B. Lee tells the police: "There is no bomb here; relax."
[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 )]]
55 years ago today - Apr 5, 1970
Brigham Young University publishes a full-page newspaper advertisement, "Minorities, Civil Rights, and BYU." This responds to the protests about the lack of African-Americans on BYU's athletic teams as an alleged extension of the LDS church's policy of withholding the priesthood from blacks. This athletic restriction ends with the priesthood restriction.
[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 )]]
85 years ago today - Apr 5, 1940
In explaining financial decisions for First Presidency to general conference, first counselor J. Reuben Clark observes: "We are not infallible in our judgment, and we err, but our constant prayer is that the Lord will guide us in our decisions, and we are trying so to live that our minds will be open to His inspiration."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
85 years ago today - Apr 5, 1940
In explaining the financial decisions of the First Presidency to general conference, first counselor J. Reuben Clark observes: "We are not infallible in our judgment, and we err, but our constant prayer is that the Lord will guide us in our decisions, and we are trying so to live that our minds will be open to His inspiration."
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
110 years ago today - Apr 5, 1915; Monday
[At general priesthood meeting:] The latter [i.e., Joseph F. Smith] observed that the question was agitated about how he stands on the question of Prohibition. He declared that his life should witness that he has always stood for and advocated temperance to come from the conversion of men to the truth. He did not declare for prohibition. His remarks were at once interpretated to be opposed to Prohibition.
[Francis M. Lyman, Diary]
[Francis M. Lyman, Diary]
115 years ago today - Apr 5, 1910
Joseph F. Smith instructs bishops and stake presidents that payment of tithing and observance of the Word of Wisdom are necessary for Mormons to obtain temple recommends. Smith also says: "Suicides who are willful should not be buried in [temple] robes or have a public funeral, but local authorities must be the judges of their state of mind when committing the act and act accordingly."
[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 - Thursday, Apr 5, 1900
President Lorenzo Snow said the question of the seniority of Joseph F. Smith or Brigham Young in the Council of the Apostles was one of moment and must be decided.
It was determined unanimously that Joseph F. Smith was the senior, he having been sustained by the Apostles and church and ordained and set apart as a member of the Council of the Apostles. Brigham had been ordained an apostle when a boy by his Father and taken in to the Council of the Apostles some years later by setting apart and the vote of the Twelve and Saints.
The President requested us to hand to him two names each to fill the vacancy in the Twelve. ...
[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]
It was determined unanimously that Joseph F. Smith was the senior, he having been sustained by the Apostles and church and ordained and set apart as a member of the Council of the Apostles. Brigham had been ordained an apostle when a boy by his Father and taken in to the Council of the Apostles some years later by setting apart and the vote of the Twelve and Saints.
The President requested us to hand to him two names each to fill the vacancy in the Twelve. ...
[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]
125 years ago today - Apr 5, 1900; Thursday
Pres[ident] L[orenzo] Snow as follows: ... there is just one thing that a Latter-day Saint, an Elder of Israel, should never forget; it should be a bright, illuminating star before him all the time--in his heart; in his soul, and all through him--that is, he need not worry in the least as to whether he should either be a deacon or president of the church, it is sufficient for him to Know that his destiny is to be like his Father, a God in eternity. He will not only be president of a church, but he may see himself president of a Kingdom, president of worlds, with never-ending opportunities to enlarge his sphere of dominion. I saw this principle after being in the church but a short time; it was made as clear to me as the noon-day sun, and I expressed it in this language: "As man now is, God once was; as God now is, man may be."
[Minutes, L. John Nuttall Papers, Lee Library]
[Minutes, L. John Nuttall Papers, Lee Library]
125 years ago today - Apr 5, 1900; Thursday
I raised the question with father [about his seniority in the quorum] some years before his death in consequence of what Bro[ther]. O[rson]. Pratt said, and father used these words to me. "It is just right the way it is and you let it alone." He told me as I remember that my name was given to him by revelation with several other names and I would have been put into the quorum a year previous but Bro[ther]. Geo[rge]. A. Smith suggested that it might raise a question & comment if
B[righam]. Y[oung]. Jr. was put in place of Bro[ther] A[masa] M Lyman apostatized; and if Jos[eph]. F. S[mith]. was now put in to the Quorum it could make no differ[e]nce as I B[righam]. Y[oung]. Jr was ordained an apostle and would take his place in the Quorum according to that ordination.
I am satisfied and thank God that I am worthy to be an apostle of the Lord an especial witness of the Lord Jesus Christ.
[Apostolic ranking is changed to be according to entry into the quorum, not according to the ordination date as an apostle. This puts Joseph F. Smith ahead of Brigham Young Jr.]
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary]
B[righam]. Y[oung]. Jr. was put in place of Bro[ther] A[masa] M Lyman apostatized; and if Jos[eph]. F. S[mith]. was now put in to the Quorum it could make no differ[e]nce as I B[righam]. Y[oung]. Jr was ordained an apostle and would take his place in the Quorum according to that ordination.
I am satisfied and thank God that I am worthy to be an apostle of the Lord an especial witness of the Lord Jesus Christ.
[Apostolic ranking is changed to be according to entry into the quorum, not according to the ordination date as an apostle. This puts Joseph F. Smith ahead of Brigham Young Jr.]
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary]
130 years ago today - Apr 5, 1895 (Friday)
The constitutional convention, after a heated debate of several days, adopted the woman suffrage clause.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
135 years ago today - Apr 5, 1890
George Reynolds is sustained as first convicted felon to become general authority.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
165 years ago today - Apr 5, 1860
[Minutes of the Council of Twelve]
.... O. Hyde Who is our Heavenly Father. I would as soon it was Father Adam, or any other good and lawful being. I shall see him some time, if I do right. What do I know about Adam, in the Councils of the Great God before he came here, or his privileges. I dont know.
* * *
O. Pratt ... in regard to Adam being our Father and our God, I have not published it, altho' I frankly say, I have no confidence in it, altho advanced by bro. Kimball in the stand, and afterwards approved by bro. Brigham. . . .
* * *
O. Hyde ... I do not see any contradiction or opposition between B. Young & J. Smith.
* * *
O. Pratt it was the Father of Jesus Christ that was talking to Adam in the garden - B. Young says that Adam was the Father of Jesus Christ, both of his Spirit and Body, in his teachings from the stand, bro. Richards publishes in the Pearl of Great Price, that another person would come in the meridian of time, which was Jesus Christ.
* * *
O. Pratt I have heard brother Brigham say that Adam is the Father of our Spirits, and he came here with his resurrected body, to fall for his own children; and I said to him, it leads to an endless number of falls, which leads to sorrow and death: that is revolting to my feelings, even if it were not sustained by revelation. ... I heard brother Young say that Jesus had a body, flesh and bones, before he came, he was born of the Virgin Mary, it was so contrary to every revelation given.
[Minutes of the Meeting of the Council of the Twelve in Historian's upper room as quoted in Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthly Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]
.... O. Hyde Who is our Heavenly Father. I would as soon it was Father Adam, or any other good and lawful being. I shall see him some time, if I do right. What do I know about Adam, in the Councils of the Great God before he came here, or his privileges. I dont know.
* * *
O. Pratt ... in regard to Adam being our Father and our God, I have not published it, altho' I frankly say, I have no confidence in it, altho advanced by bro. Kimball in the stand, and afterwards approved by bro. Brigham. . . .
* * *
O. Hyde ... I do not see any contradiction or opposition between B. Young & J. Smith.
* * *
O. Pratt it was the Father of Jesus Christ that was talking to Adam in the garden - B. Young says that Adam was the Father of Jesus Christ, both of his Spirit and Body, in his teachings from the stand, bro. Richards publishes in the Pearl of Great Price, that another person would come in the meridian of time, which was Jesus Christ.
* * *
O. Pratt I have heard brother Brigham say that Adam is the Father of our Spirits, and he came here with his resurrected body, to fall for his own children; and I said to him, it leads to an endless number of falls, which leads to sorrow and death: that is revolting to my feelings, even if it were not sustained by revelation. ... I heard brother Young say that Jesus had a body, flesh and bones, before he came, he was born of the Virgin Mary, it was so contrary to every revelation given.
[Minutes of the Meeting of the Council of the Twelve in Historian's upper room as quoted in Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthly Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]
165 years ago today - Apr 5, 1860 (Evening)
[Brigham Young Sermon]
Pres. Young and a council of the Twelve met at the Historians Office and had Orson Pratt's sermon read as revised by the Twelve, which was satisfactory to Pres. Young; he directed Thomas Bullock to make a plain copy for publication.
[Journal History of the Church 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]
Pres. Young and a council of the Twelve met at the Historians Office and had Orson Pratt's sermon read as revised by the Twelve, which was satisfactory to Pres. Young; he directed Thomas Bullock to make a plain copy for publication.
[Journal History of the Church 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]
55 years ago today - Apr 4, 1970
Shortly after the presidency's statement against the ultra- conservative NET organizations, all local LDS leaders received an announcement which began: "There are dangerous sinister trends developing within the church due to the liberal factions gaining control." The announcement urged all "those of the conservative mind" to "cast a dissenting vote against the liberal factions" of "the First Presidency with its social-democrat thinking" on 6 April 1970. This would remove from office the new presidency of Joseph Fielding Smith, Harold B. Lee, and N. Eldon Tanner, all of whom were known as opponents of Benson's ultra-conservative activism. In their place, this proposal claimed that "Brother Benson will sound the trumpet and thousands, yes tens of thousands, will heed his call and stand forth ready to sustain and support the fight for truth, right and liberty." Thus a general conference vote of Mormon ultra-conservatives would propel Benson into the office of LDS church president in
place of the current president and ahead of other senior apostles.
Rather than dismissing this document as the work of a lone crank and giving it no further attention, Counselor Harold B. Lee publicly denounced it two days before the sustaining vote of April 1970 conference. He told the general priesthood meeting that "there is one vicious story to the effect that one of our General Authorities is allegedly being urged to present himself to lead the Church contrary to the Lord's revelation and to make people think there is some division among the authorities of the Church." Lee indicated that this petition and its supporting documents "are finding their way into our Relief Society meetings, into priesthood quorums, firesides, institutes, and seminaries." That was an extraordinary acknowledgement by Lee of the threat to the LDS church he perceived from ultra-conservative Mormons.
["TO ALL STAKE PRESIDENTS INTERESTED IN TRUTH AND LIBERTY THIS CALL IS MADE," photocopy of typed document, undated, in folder 22, box 5, Buerger Papers, with signed copies by J. Wilson Bartlett in MS 2461, LDS archives, and in folder 3, box 124, Hinckley Papers; Lee, "To the Defenders of the Faith," 4 Apr. 1970, Improvement Era 73 (June 1970): 64. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
place of the current president and ahead of other senior apostles.
Rather than dismissing this document as the work of a lone crank and giving it no further attention, Counselor Harold B. Lee publicly denounced it two days before the sustaining vote of April 1970 conference. He told the general priesthood meeting that "there is one vicious story to the effect that one of our General Authorities is allegedly being urged to present himself to lead the Church contrary to the Lord's revelation and to make people think there is some division among the authorities of the Church." Lee indicated that this petition and its supporting documents "are finding their way into our Relief Society meetings, into priesthood quorums, firesides, institutes, and seminaries." That was an extraordinary acknowledgement by Lee of the threat to the LDS church he perceived from ultra-conservative Mormons.
["TO ALL STAKE PRESIDENTS INTERESTED IN TRUTH AND LIBERTY THIS CALL IS MADE," photocopy of typed document, undated, in folder 22, box 5, Buerger Papers, with signed copies by J. Wilson Bartlett in MS 2461, LDS archives, and in folder 3, box 124, Hinckley Papers; Lee, "To the Defenders of the Faith," 4 Apr. 1970, Improvement Era 73 (June 1970): 64. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
60 years ago today - Apr 4, 1965
"Benson linked the civil rights movement to Communists and made vague insinuations about "trators in the church."
Last month the NAACP protested the Mormons' failure to endorse civil rights legislaton by picketing the church headquarters wile the Utah Legislature was in session. [Hugh B. Browns pro-civil rights statement] was contradicted at this month's conference [by] Ezra Taft Benson, an apostle of the church. ...
"Before I left for Europe, I warned how the Communists were using the civil rights movement to promote revolution and eventual takeover of this country. When are we going to wake up? ... Do you fear the destruction of all vestiges of State government? Now, brethern, the Lord has never promosed there would not be traitors in the church. We have the ignorant, the sleepy, and the deceived who provide temptations and avenues of apostasy for the unwray and the unfaithful."
["Mormons Bickering Over Rights Issue," Pittsburge Courier, Apr 4, 1965]
Last month the NAACP protested the Mormons' failure to endorse civil rights legislaton by picketing the church headquarters wile the Utah Legislature was in session. [Hugh B. Browns pro-civil rights statement] was contradicted at this month's conference [by] Ezra Taft Benson, an apostle of the church. ...
"Before I left for Europe, I warned how the Communists were using the civil rights movement to promote revolution and eventual takeover of this country. When are we going to wake up? ... Do you fear the destruction of all vestiges of State government? Now, brethern, the Lord has never promosed there would not be traitors in the church. We have the ignorant, the sleepy, and the deceived who provide temptations and avenues of apostasy for the unwray and the unfaithful."
["Mormons Bickering Over Rights Issue," Pittsburge Courier, Apr 4, 1965]
100 years ago today - Apr 4, 1925
Heber J. Grant warns general priesthood meeting against Ku Klux Klan, and remarks: "It is beyond my comprehension how people holding the priesthood will want to associate themselves with the Ku Klux Klan or any other [similar] organization."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
100 years ago today - Apr 4, 1925
Heber J. Grant warns the general priesthood meeting against the Ku Klux Klan, and remarks: "It is beyond my comprehension how people holding the priesthood will want to associate themselves with the Ku Klux Klan or any other [similar] organization."
[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 )]]
105 years ago today - Apr 04, 1920
Howard W. Hunter is baptized in a swimming pool in Boise, Idaho (he is twelve years and five months old.)
120 years ago today - April 4-5, 1905
Today at the afternoon meeting the general authorities were sustained. One person voted against Pres[ident]. Jos[eph]. F. Smith and one against the Apostles. Since the [Reed] Smoot investigation has been on Saint has been working through his emmesaries both at home and abroad to stir up op[p]osition to Pres[ident]. Smith and other general authorities. He is now crying commercialism, charging that the tithes of the people are being wrongfuly used for the benefit of the authorities or for commercial investments to control same for the ag[g]randisement fo the authorities. Also that the Church as such is still practicing polygamy. Along with this comes a faction who hold that plural marriage ought not to have been stopped and that Pres[ident]. Smith should be removed and another put in who would restore it. It was said that it was their expectation that it would be done Sunday of Conference and that among it all quite a number would be present to vote against him Sunday. The people
never voted for the authorities with so much energy as upon today.
[Rudger Clawson, Record of Meetings and Activities, 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]
never voted for the authorities with so much energy as upon today.
[Rudger Clawson, Record of Meetings and Activities, 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 - Apr 4, 1895
[Council] Bro[ther] John W. Taylor spoke upon the right of the Presidency to direct in all things religious, political and temporal. He prophesied relief for the Presidency and people financially. Said bro[ther] Thatcher was in danger of dieing if he does not accept the course of the Presidency. Defended Pres[ident] Cannon. Said bro[ther] Merrill will get thin and live long. ...
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
130 years ago today - Apr 4, 1895
[Apostle Brigham Young Jr.]
[On 1 April, Brigham Young had a discussion with B. H. Roberts in which Young defended suffrage for women, arguing that their votes would be in the interests of morality and good order.] Twelve met at 10 a.m. in Temple. Excellent spirit we are united in about every thing. Presidency came in at 11:40 Bro[ther] G. Q. C. came just arrived from East. his talk was conservative and very good, but soon we were much divided on Womans Rights. Bro[ther] C. wanted it drawn out of convention and the Pres[ident] was to do it. My feelings were against interfering perhaps I was too pronounced on the subject. Pres[iden]t S. was decididly too strong. Had sacrament, good pure wine & bread.
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[On 1 April, Brigham Young had a discussion with B. H. Roberts in which Young defended suffrage for women, arguing that their votes would be in the interests of morality and good order.] Twelve met at 10 a.m. in Temple. Excellent spirit we are united in about every thing. Presidency came in at 11:40 Bro[ther] G. Q. C. came just arrived from East. his talk was conservative and very good, but soon we were much divided on Womans Rights. Bro[ther] C. wanted it drawn out of convention and the Pres[ident] was to do it. My feelings were against interfering perhaps I was too pronounced on the subject. Pres[iden]t S. was decididly too strong. Had sacrament, good pure wine & bread.
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Apr 4, 1890
[Brigham Young Jr.]
Gardo House ... Meeting on estate business. Presidency cannot consent to have our people promise to obey the 'law,' repudiate all wives but one, tho' some of the brethren who are actually obeying the law want to know what the difference is. In our circle meeting this afternoon I had a strong intimation or impression, I thought of the spirit, that Joseph F. Smith & myself will wear this anti-Polygamy law out, and ere long we shall ride in these streets with our wives and children.
[Brigham Young Jr. Diary, 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]
Gardo House ... Meeting on estate business. Presidency cannot consent to have our people promise to obey the 'law,' repudiate all wives but one, tho' some of the brethren who are actually obeying the law want to know what the difference is. In our circle meeting this afternoon I had a strong intimation or impression, I thought of the spirit, that Joseph F. Smith & myself will wear this anti-Polygamy law out, and ere long we shall ride in these streets with our wives and children.
[Brigham Young Jr. Diary, 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]
145 years ago today - Apr 4, 1880
We met in the Prayer Circle. A Certain Revelation was discused given to Wilford Woodruff in the Wilderness of Arizona Jan 26 1880 And it was received by the Twelve. [Opposed by church patriarch John Smith]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
150 years ago today - Apr 4, 1875
.... On motion it was unanimously voted that our organization be called the United Order of Salt Lake City, Number One. On Motion it was voted that this organization continue in existance for a period of twenty five years' On motion it was voted that the general place of business be in Salt Lake City, Utah 355 Territory. On motion it was unanimously voted that the board of seven ele directors be elected consist of seven members. On motion President Brigham Young was unanimously elected President of the association.....
[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]
155 years ago today - 1870. April 4
George Albert Smith was born in Salt Lake City to Susan Farr and John Henry Smith. He was a great- grandnephew of Joseph Smith, Sr., and a grandson of George A. Smith.
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Apr 4, 1860
[Minutes of the Apostles]
[Orson Pratt] There are certain points taught by Bro. Y. as being true, that there does seem to be disputed between those & the Revel[ations] & when I reflect that there is item upon item, doctrine upon doctrine [upon which Pratt and Young disagree] ... I would like to ennumerate items [upon which Pratt disagrees with Young]. First [Young] preached & publish, that Adam is the fa[ther] of our spirits, & father of Spirit & father of our bodies. [But] when I read the Rev[elations] given to Joseph [Smith] I read directly the opposite. [There] the Lord spake to Adam. [Also,] that men [will] eventually become Adams.
B[righam] Y[oung] your statements to night. you come out to night & place them as charges, & have as many against me as I have [against] you. One thing I have thought that I might still have omited [from the public]. It was Joseph's doctrine that Adam was God & when in Luke Johnson's, at O. Hyde's the power came upon us, a shock that alarmed the neighborhood. God comes to earth & eats & partakes of fruit. Joseph could not reveal what was revealed to him, & if Joseph had it revealed [to him], he was not told to reveal it. The Spirit is sent when the mother feels earth, God put it [the spirit] into his [Adam's] mouth, & when God, wanted to translate he had the power. [There is] not a contradictory thing in what I have said. ...
[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]
[Orson Pratt] There are certain points taught by Bro. Y. as being true, that there does seem to be disputed between those & the Revel[ations] & when I reflect that there is item upon item, doctrine upon doctrine [upon which Pratt and Young disagree] ... I would like to ennumerate items [upon which Pratt disagrees with Young]. First [Young] preached & publish, that Adam is the fa[ther] of our spirits, & father of Spirit & father of our bodies. [But] when I read the Rev[elations] given to Joseph [Smith] I read directly the opposite. [There] the Lord spake to Adam. [Also,] that men [will] eventually become Adams.
B[righam] Y[oung] your statements to night. you come out to night & place them as charges, & have as many against me as I have [against] you. One thing I have thought that I might still have omited [from the public]. It was Joseph's doctrine that Adam was God & when in Luke Johnson's, at O. Hyde's the power came upon us, a shock that alarmed the neighborhood. God comes to earth & eats & partakes of fruit. Joseph could not reveal what was revealed to him, & if Joseph had it revealed [to him], he was not told to reveal it. The Spirit is sent when the mother feels earth, God put it [the spirit] into his [Adam's] mouth, & when God, wanted to translate he had the power. [There is] not a contradictory thing in what I have said. ...
[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]
165 years ago today - Apr 4, 1860 (Council Meeting)
The sermon [of Orson Pratt] is splendid but [there is] no confession of his errors, but a confession to me. As though a confession was to be made to me, or I will take off Orson's or John's head. ... Did you ever hear me say that the Gods will [not] learn from all eternity to all eternity. Have any of you heard me argue such a doctrine. I have no recollection of anything time saying [such a thing]. This does not come to me as right. It points to me as a tyrant [or] despot, [a] ruler [with a] pinching spirit. Orson wants a revelation to know that I am wrong. No matter whether the men are right or wrong who [stand as] head [of] the Church. This is not the retraction that the statements made by Orson demands. ... I'm willing to go into the endowment house & dress before my Quorum or as we are now, or before Conference & lay down item upon item & let them decide. You make attributes Deity, as well say [there is] no deity now, or that we have to be dispersed to receive those attributes,
go back to atoms, before we get an exaltation. When he lectured several years ago, I asked him, where [was] empty space, when the wicked call for rocks to fall, I could tell them where to go; for there God could not act, for nothing to act upon. That I don't care anything about; & to put that forth to the people; it should be covered up, & let the Doctrine & Covenants & Bible stand... Maybe though he don't think I have revelation, if I don't, I don't magnify my calling. There are hundreds of this. I could write revelation as fast as [a] dog trots. When I write & send forth my Revelations, [they] are the Revelations of eternity.... I'll sweep you down, men tie both my hands, bite my tongue & people cut Orson off the Church. I know his integrity, I love Him. I mean to hang on to him. I want a confession that I can send to the whole of the people that will cover all this ground & preserve bro. Orson a whole Apostle, before the whole church, then we want bro Orson [to make a
confession] that can save him. ... Bro Brigham said could a being in a telestial or terrestrial kingdom keep a celestial law, is it reasonable to expect such a thing. Orson, it is for you to call the 12 together & do as I have suggested or do as you please. It will be brought before Conference and you will be voted as a false teacher, & your false doctrines discharged. I love your integrity, but your ignorance is as great as any philosophers ought to be...
[Brigham Young Office Journals 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]
go back to atoms, before we get an exaltation. When he lectured several years ago, I asked him, where [was] empty space, when the wicked call for rocks to fall, I could tell them where to go; for there God could not act, for nothing to act upon. That I don't care anything about; & to put that forth to the people; it should be covered up, & let the Doctrine & Covenants & Bible stand... Maybe though he don't think I have revelation, if I don't, I don't magnify my calling. There are hundreds of this. I could write revelation as fast as [a] dog trots. When I write & send forth my Revelations, [they] are the Revelations of eternity.... I'll sweep you down, men tie both my hands, bite my tongue & people cut Orson off the Church. I know his integrity, I love Him. I mean to hang on to him. I want a confession that I can send to the whole of the people that will cover all this ground & preserve bro. Orson a whole Apostle, before the whole church, then we want bro Orson [to make a
confession] that can save him. ... Bro Brigham said could a being in a telestial or terrestrial kingdom keep a celestial law, is it reasonable to expect such a thing. Orson, it is for you to call the 12 together & do as I have suggested or do as you please. It will be brought before Conference and you will be voted as a false teacher, & your false doctrines discharged. I love your integrity, but your ignorance is as great as any philosophers ought to be...
[Brigham Young Office Journals 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]
175 years ago today - Apr 4, 1850
Sarah Pratt writes to Bathsheba W. Smith about her husband, Apostle Orson Pratt's absence on missions and time with other wives: "Mr. Pratt left on the 9th of Mar for the Bluffs . . . he will return in Jun, or Jul, perhaps you may think this is a great trial for me, but I can assure it is no more of a trial, than if he were gone on other business, for I have long since made up my mind that it is no use to fret about those who do not fret about me, . . . "
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
180 years ago today - Apr 4, 1845
Three bishops instruct the high priests of Nauvoo-s 5th Ward that if some members did not reform "they would at once discover themselves in the hands of Aunt Peggy and take leave of absence."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
125 years ago today - Apr 3, 1900
[Heber J. Grant]
Francis M. Lyman, regretted that every word that Brother Brigham had said could not have been taken down and recorded. Stated that he never allowed a wife or child to see anything that he recorded in his journal, felt that it was sacred. Had purchased a safe in which he kept his journals. Had never recorded anything in his journals about any of his brethren that he would have the least objection to their reading. At the same time he felt that our journals should be held sacred.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
Francis M. Lyman, regretted that every word that Brother Brigham had said could not have been taken down and recorded. Stated that he never allowed a wife or child to see anything that he recorded in his journal, felt that it was sacred. Had purchased a safe in which he kept his journals. Had never recorded anything in his journals about any of his brethren that he would have the least objection to their reading. At the same time he felt that our journals should be held sacred.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
125 years ago today - Tuesday, Apr 3, 1900
Apostle F. M. Lyman made brief remarks. Said that as the body cannot live without the spirit, so the church cannot live without or exist without the quorum of the Twelve Apostles. ...
Speaking of the Twelve, he said our great merit is not in the fact that we are very great and smart, but that we are honest, humble, and united, and the Lord can use us...
Apostle M. W. Merrill ... Referred to the loss of his son by death. It was a great blow to him, but he acknowledged the hand of the Lord in it. Spoke of the visit of his son to him after his death. He heard his voice and was told not to grieve about his departure. He was told that his son was needed behind the veil to assist in the salvation of his progenitors. ...
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
Speaking of the Twelve, he said our great merit is not in the fact that we are very great and smart, but that we are honest, humble, and united, and the Lord can use us...
Apostle M. W. Merrill ... Referred to the loss of his son by death. It was a great blow to him, but he acknowledged the hand of the Lord in it. Spoke of the visit of his son to him after his death. He heard his voice and was told not to grieve about his departure. He was told that his son was needed behind the veil to assist in the salvation of his progenitors. ...
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
125 years ago today - Apr 3, 1900
I made a few remarks on proper method of disposing of journals should be willed to Historians office, also concerning our writing so much of what transpires and leaving it where others could read at will.
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
130 years ago today - Apr 3, 1895
First Presidency and Apostles discuss B. H. Roberts's opposition to equal suffrage at recent State Constitutional convention. "Brother Roberts had been sent for And told by Pres[iden]ts [Wilford] Woodruff and [Joseph F.] Smith their wishes and requested not to be active in his opposition to the suffrage clause as it was in the interests of the people to have the suffrage clause approved and made a part of the Constitution." Equal suffrage would increase the percentage of Mormon voters.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
130 years ago today - Apr 3, 1895
[Apostles meeting] Francis M. Lyman He felt that there was great need for the saints to reform in the matter of having hard feelings over political matters.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
130 years ago today - Apr 3, 1895
I [i.e., Lorenzo Snow] I regret the course Brother [B. H.] Roberts has taken in the convention in speaking on woman's suffrage but perhaps he can satisfactorily explain his position and conduct.
[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]
135 years ago today - Apr 3, 1890 (Thursday)
The bill providing for the admission of Idaho into the Union as a State was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, with its anti-Mormon test oath clause.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
140 years ago today - Friday, Apr 3, 1885
Bro. G. Q. Cannon reached home today from Washington. The U.S. Marshall made an effort to capture him but failed. It is said that 20 marshalls from Utah and Idaho are in Logan.
[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]
[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]
145 years ago today - Apr 3, 1880
Matilda Spaulding, daughter of Solomon Spaulding writes: "he [Solomon Spaulding] read the manuscript which I had seen him writing, to the neighbors, and to the clergyman, a friend of his who came to see him. Some of the names that he mentioned while reading to these people I have never forgotten. They are as fresh to me today as though I heard them yesterday. They were 'Mormon,' 'Maroni,' 'Lamenite,' 'Nephi.'"
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
165 years ago today - Apr 3, 1860
Salt Lake City's LDS mayor cautions Brigham Young that William A. Hickman has been useful as a dog to protect the Mormon flock but should now be removed because he is also killing Mormons within the fold.
[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 )]]
165 years ago today - Apr 3, 1860
The Pony Express mail service began. A number of young Mormons were among the riders.
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
180 years ago today - Apr 3, 1845
[Hosea Stout]
In the morning I went to the Temple and was roughly accosted by Brs Cahoon & Cutler about a circumstance which took place last night at the Temple. They said that the Old Police had beat a man almost to death in the Temple. To which I replied I was glad of it and that I had given orders to that effect in case anyone should be found in the Temple after night and they had only done as they were told, or ordered, that they had been imposed upon long enough while on duty and I was determined to bear it no longer. This created considerable warmth of feelings in them and the bye standers, however after they understood the matter they seemed satisfied and said the guard only done their dutyfrom thence I went to John Higbees from thence to Gullys store, and there met with Br Carn and told him the circumstance at the Temple and we concluded to lay the matter before President Brigham Young and get his advice, as we went we met Brother H. C. Kimball and while relating the matter to him
Brother Brigham came to us and we related the matter to him and he approved of the proceedings of the Police and said he wanted us to still guard the Temple after which he & Br. Kimball went to the Temple to regulate the matters there which was done to our satisfaction and justification. ...
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
In the morning I went to the Temple and was roughly accosted by Brs Cahoon & Cutler about a circumstance which took place last night at the Temple. They said that the Old Police had beat a man almost to death in the Temple. To which I replied I was glad of it and that I had given orders to that effect in case anyone should be found in the Temple after night and they had only done as they were told, or ordered, that they had been imposed upon long enough while on duty and I was determined to bear it no longer. This created considerable warmth of feelings in them and the bye standers, however after they understood the matter they seemed satisfied and said the guard only done their dutyfrom thence I went to John Higbees from thence to Gullys store, and there met with Br Carn and told him the circumstance at the Temple and we concluded to lay the matter before President Brigham Young and get his advice, as we went we met Brother H. C. Kimball and while relating the matter to him
Brother Brigham came to us and we related the matter to him and he approved of the proceedings of the Police and said he wanted us to still guard the Temple after which he & Br. Kimball went to the Temple to regulate the matters there which was done to our satisfaction and justification. ...
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
180 years ago today - Apr 3, 1845
Brigham Young's clerk Thomas Bullock copies a revelation received by Young "to be read next Conference." NAUVOO NEIGHBOR reports the reading on April 7 of a revelation "concerning blotting out the names of APOSTATES, that they may not be found upon the Church Record."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
180 years ago today - Apr 3, 1845. Thursday.
....Evening met with a few of the high quorum [Holy Order] at Dr. Richards house for prayer. ... Our prayers were that the plans of the mob might be frustrated that they might have no influence nor power to disturb nor trouble us. That the leaders of the mob especially [Thomas] Sharp may be visited with judgements, and that we may be preserved in peace to finish the houses and see the Elders endowed and fulfil all that the Lord commanded us in this place ...
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
190 years ago today - Apr 3, 1835
[Patriarchal Blessing of Lyman Sherman given by Joseph Smith, Sr.]
.... inasmuch as thou hast no father God shall be thy father and he shall comfort thee and it has been promised too that thou shalt go forth and the Lord shall minister unto [thee] and thou shalt have power to command the waters and thou shalt cause the earth to tremble for thou art one of the horns of Joseph to push the people together and in the name of [Jesus Christ] ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
.... inasmuch as thou hast no father God shall be thy father and he shall comfort thee and it has been promised too that thou shalt go forth and the Lord shall minister unto [thee] and thou shalt have power to command the waters and thou shalt cause the earth to tremble for thou art one of the horns of Joseph to push the people together and in the name of [Jesus Christ] ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
20 years ago today - Apr 2, 2005
The General Conference annual statistical report shows that the number of convert baptisms in the Church has dropped for the third year in a row.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
125 years ago today - Monday, Apr 2, 1900
[John R. Winder] Made the following report concerning the labor that had been accomplished in the temple, namely, that since the temple had been open until April 2nd, 1899—475,662 ordinances had been performed, and from Apr. 2nd, 1899, to Apr. 2nd, 1900, 68,871, making a total of 544,337 ordinances performed since the temple was opened. He said that the interest in the work is increasing and the temple workers are perfectly united. In behalf of the temple workers Brother Winder presented President Snow some flowers symbolic of the authorities of the church, namely, three white lilies representing the First Presidency, twelve white roses representing the Twelve Apostles, seven white carnations representing the Seven Presidents of Seventies, three small white roses representing the Lesser Priesthood. These he bound together with
white ribbon and presented them to President Snow.
Remarks [by] Pres. J. F. Smith. ... Those who find fault with the prophet of God because of his weaknesses commit sacrilege—it is a sin. ...
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
white ribbon and presented them to President Snow.
Remarks [by] Pres. J. F. Smith. ... Those who find fault with the prophet of God because of his weaknesses commit sacrilege—it is a sin. ...
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
125 years ago today - Apr 2, 1900; Monday
Two hundred bushels of seed grain were appropriated in favor of the people of Koosharem, who were in need of it. The people of that ward having been quarantined through smallpox, and having suffered also from frost last fall, they were in need of grain.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
130 years ago today - Apr 2, 1895
[Debate & Vote for women's sufferage]
At 9 A.M. with bro[ther] Daniel Thompson entered the Constitution Hall and took a seat on the platform to wait for 10 o'clock to come. Pres[ident] John Henry Smith called to order on time and every inch of [the] room was crowed with curious listeners awaiting bro[ther] [B. H.] Roberts' eloquence [who opposed sufferage]. I opened the convention with prayer. Speeches by Whitney Raleigh and Roberts occupied most of the time till 11 P.M. Roberts occupied 2 hours. His talk was not logical nor argument. He was not up to his usual standard of eloquence and ease. The vote was almost unanimous in favor of woman suffrage.
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
At 9 A.M. with bro[ther] Daniel Thompson entered the Constitution Hall and took a seat on the platform to wait for 10 o'clock to come. Pres[ident] John Henry Smith called to order on time and every inch of [the] room was crowed with curious listeners awaiting bro[ther] [B. H.] Roberts' eloquence [who opposed sufferage]. I opened the convention with prayer. Speeches by Whitney Raleigh and Roberts occupied most of the time till 11 P.M. Roberts occupied 2 hours. His talk was not logical nor argument. He was not up to his usual standard of eloquence and ease. The vote was almost unanimous in favor of woman suffrage.
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
150 years ago today - Apr 2, 1875 (Friday)
The case of Geo. Q. Cannon, indicted for polygamy, was dismissed in the Third District Court.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
165 years ago today - Apr 2, 1860
About 7. Prest. Young & A[lbert]. Carrington called at the historians' Office and staid till about 9. Prest. brought a revised sheet of O[rson]. Pratt's sermon, called a confession, delivered some time ago; the letter sermon was read. G[eorge]. A. S[mith]. E[zra]. T. B[enson]. & A[lbert]. Carrington present. President said that he thought of presenting the principles involved to the conference, but he did not know but that it might hurt brother Pratt's feelings. It was concluded that a council of the Twelve be called to meet on Wednesday evening to take these matters into consideration. [Young and Pratt differed doctrinal ideas regarding the Godhead]
[Church Historian's Office Journal, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Church Historian's Office Journal, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
195 years ago today - Apr 2, 1830
[Rochester Daily Advertiser]
The "Book of Mormon" has been placed in our hands. A viler imposition was never practised. It is an evidence of fraud, blasphemy and credulity, shocking to the Christian and moralist. The "author and proprietor" is one "Joseph Smith, jr."-a fellow who, by some hocus pocus, acquired such an influence over a wealthy farmer of Wayne county [Martin Harris], that the latter mortgaged his farm for $3000, which he paid for printing and binding 5000 copies of the blasphemous work.
[Rochester (NY) Daily Advertiser as quoted in Larry E. Morris, I Should Have an Eye Single to the Glory of God: Joseph Smith's Account of the Angel and the Plates]
The "Book of Mormon" has been placed in our hands. A viler imposition was never practised. It is an evidence of fraud, blasphemy and credulity, shocking to the Christian and moralist. The "author and proprietor" is one "Joseph Smith, jr."-a fellow who, by some hocus pocus, acquired such an influence over a wealthy farmer of Wayne county [Martin Harris], that the latter mortgaged his farm for $3000, which he paid for printing and binding 5000 copies of the blasphemous work.
[Rochester (NY) Daily Advertiser as quoted in Larry E. Morris, I Should Have an Eye Single to the Glory of God: Joseph Smith's Account of the Angel and the Plates]
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