Presbyterian General Assembly of the United States adopts a resolution that the LDS church is "a new and emerging religion that expresses allegiance to Jesus Christ in terms used with the Christian tradition." This ecumenical statement is at odds with Protestant denominations which define Mormonism as a non-Christian cult. However, in recognition of the LDS church's own claim to be neither Catholic nor Protestant, this document adds that the LDS church is "not within the historic apostolic tradition of the Christian Church of which the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is a part." This pro-Mormon resolution is drafted and presented by Utah's Presbytery, eighty-five years after it fomented several anti-Mormon campaigns nationally.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
Today In Mormon History-fb
Several curious tidbits that happened on this day in Mormon History
40 years ago today - Jul 20, 1985
One hundred thousand people attend a Church dance festival at the Rose Bowl in Southern California.
80 years ago today - Jul 20, 1945
[David O. McKay]
President McKay, upon the insistence of President Smith and President Clark, took a much needed vacation from the office.
[David O. McKay 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]
President McKay, upon the insistence of President Smith and President Clark, took a much needed vacation from the office.
[David O. McKay 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]
110 years ago today - Jul 20, 1915
[George F. Gibbs to N. E. Shorten]
Please find enclosed answers to the questions contained in ours of the 10th inst. The answers were given by Elder B. H. Roberts, and have been approved by President Joseph F. Smith. ...
Q: Is the original manuscript of the Book of Abraham still in existence? Answer: The papyrus manuscript, together with the mummies with which it was connected, was destroyed in what is known as the great fire of Chicago, it, with the mummies, being on exhibition at the time at Wood's museum. The mummies and manuscript, shortly before the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith, were turned over by him to his mother, who derived a little revenue from exhibiting them. These things remained in possession of the Smith family after the exodus from Nauvoo, and were disposed of by William Smith, and found their way to Wood's museum after the death of his mother. Q: Has it, or authentic copies of it, ever been submitted to reliable men for translation? Answer: Some facsimiles were submitted by the late Bishop Spaulding of Utah to some of the professors in the late controversy. These facsimiles were taken from an early edition of the Pearl of Great Price.
[George F. Gibbs, Letter to N. E. Shorten, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Please find enclosed answers to the questions contained in ours of the 10th inst. The answers were given by Elder B. H. Roberts, and have been approved by President Joseph F. Smith. ...
Q: Is the original manuscript of the Book of Abraham still in existence? Answer: The papyrus manuscript, together with the mummies with which it was connected, was destroyed in what is known as the great fire of Chicago, it, with the mummies, being on exhibition at the time at Wood's museum. The mummies and manuscript, shortly before the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith, were turned over by him to his mother, who derived a little revenue from exhibiting them. These things remained in possession of the Smith family after the exodus from Nauvoo, and were disposed of by William Smith, and found their way to Wood's museum after the death of his mother. Q: Has it, or authentic copies of it, ever been submitted to reliable men for translation? Answer: Some facsimiles were submitted by the late Bishop Spaulding of Utah to some of the professors in the late controversy. These facsimiles were taken from an early edition of the Pearl of Great Price.
[George F. Gibbs, Letter to N. E. Shorten, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
115 years ago today - Jul 20, 1910
The Christian Endeavor Society of Missouri, an early forerunner of the American Religious Right, instituted a campaign to ban movies depicting kissing between non-relatives.
[Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline]
[Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline]
140 years ago today - Jul 20, 1885 (Monday)
A monster mass meeting was held in Paris, Bear Lake Co., remonstrating against the political oppression in that county, and petitioning Pres. Cleveland for redress.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
180 years ago today - Jul 20, 1845
[Brigham Young]
I believe and know that no mans body changes in all his life - if the body changes in seven years I wonder what body that was, gotten by the Eternal Father born of the Virgin Mary and suffered for the sins of the world - put down in death and laid in the sepulcher by Joseph - it is the corruptible system that passes away the refined body stays - I am forty, I wonder which body will be resurrected - I have been long enough in this church to have two bodies, I would hate to have six or seven bodies for one spirit - I should be a kind of a monster - ... the refined particles stay and the corrupt particles flee away - Jesus Christ rose with the same wounds that he died with.
[Thomas Bullock Minutes, 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]
I believe and know that no mans body changes in all his life - if the body changes in seven years I wonder what body that was, gotten by the Eternal Father born of the Virgin Mary and suffered for the sins of the world - put down in death and laid in the sepulcher by Joseph - it is the corruptible system that passes away the refined body stays - I am forty, I wonder which body will be resurrected - I have been long enough in this church to have two bodies, I would hate to have six or seven bodies for one spirit - I should be a kind of a monster - ... the refined particles stay and the corrupt particles flee away - Jesus Christ rose with the same wounds that he died with.
[Thomas Bullock Minutes, 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]
185 years ago today - Jul 20, 1840
Patriarchal Blessing of Robert D. Foster given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... thou Shall not loose [lose] thy inheritance, ... thou Shall speak to the raging Sea, and its angry waves Shall be Still the winds Shall be Still at thy bidding, ... thou Shalt behold thousands fall by the Sword, and hundreds perish in famine... and I seal thee against the destroyer, and the Devil, and all delusion Spirits, and the destroying Angle [Angel] Shall pass by thee I seal [thee] up to Eternal life in the name of Jesus Christ Even So Amen
[Patriarchal Blessings]
[Patriarchal Blessings]
50 years ago today - Jul 19, 1975
LDS church and its Bonneville Productions receive national advertising award ("Clio") for its "Homefront" advertising on television. Church also receives Clio awards in 1979, 1980, 1984, 1992, and 1993.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
125 years ago today - Jul 19, 1900; Thursday
[Heber J. Grant]
I explained tha some of the [Benjamin Cluff] party were giving glowing and wonderful accounts of what the party was to accomplish namely--that Brother Cluff was to unearth the City of Zarahemla; that Prof[essor]. Wolfe was to discover plates and have the gift to interpret them; that they were going to accomplish things greater even than the discovery of the plates containing the Book of Mormon; this expedition meant the dawn of freedom to the Church etc. etc.
The general feeling of the brethren was that somebody should be sent to Mexico to intercept the expedition and decide whether it should be abandoned or a small party should proceed.
[Heber J. Grant, Diary]
I explained tha some of the [Benjamin Cluff] party were giving glowing and wonderful accounts of what the party was to accomplish namely--that Brother Cluff was to unearth the City of Zarahemla; that Prof[essor]. Wolfe was to discover plates and have the gift to interpret them; that they were going to accomplish things greater even than the discovery of the plates containing the Book of Mormon; this expedition meant the dawn of freedom to the Church etc. etc.
The general feeling of the brethren was that somebody should be sent to Mexico to intercept the expedition and decide whether it should be abandoned or a small party should proceed.
[Heber J. Grant, Diary]
125 years ago today - Jul 19, 1900; Thursday
Mosiah Hancock, a man well on to seventy years, to accompany the [Benjamin Cluff] expedition [to Central/South America] believing that they might find some new plates as a result of their explorations. Brother Grant could not help but believe that they would be in jeopardy of their lives and belongings while traveling in Mexico.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
185 years ago today - Jul 19, 1840
[Joseph Smith Prophecies]
.... 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.
... we will continue pleading like the Widow at the feet of the unjust judge but we may plead at the feet of Majistrates and at the feet of Judges At the feet of Governors and at the feet of senators & at the feet of [DEL: the :DEL] Pre [s]idents for 8 years it will be of no avail. We shall find no favor in any of the courts of this government. 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 ...
We shall build the Zion of the Lord in peace untill the servants of that Lord shall begin to lay the foundation of a great and high watch Tower and then shall they begin to say within themselves what need hath my Lord of this tower seeing this is a time of peace &c--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 shall the Lord say go tell all my servants who are the strength of mine house my young men and middle aged &c come to the Land of my vineyard and fight the battle of the Lord--Then the Kings & Queens shall
comethen 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 for in this thing shall be their safety and they will have no power to choose but will come as a man fleeth from a sudden destruction--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.
... 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.
Curse that man who says to his neighbor you are a mean man because you do not believe as I do I now invite all liberall minded men to come up to Nauvoo and help to build up the city of our God We are not greatly distressed no nor ever will be ... 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, which is my ernest prayer in the name of the L Jesus Amen ... [Howard and Martha Coray Notebook]
He (J.S.) says Zion is all North & South America The 12 Olive trees are 12 stakes J. Co. Mo. is the centre. The government is fallen & needs redeeming. It is guilty of Blood & cannot stand as it now is but will come so near dessolation [sic] as to hang as it were by a single hair!! -- Then the servants goes to the Nations of the earth, & gethers [sic] the strength of the Lord's house! a mighty army!! -- And this is the redemption of Zion -- When the saints shall have redeemed that government & reinstated it in all its purity & glory!! -- That America may be an asylum for the remnant of all nations [Orson Pratt to George A. Smith, 21 January 1841, Orson Pratt Papers, LDS Church Archives]
[The Words of Joseph Smith by Joseph Smith by Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook]
.... 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.
... we will continue pleading like the Widow at the feet of the unjust judge but we may plead at the feet of Majistrates and at the feet of Judges At the feet of Governors and at the feet of senators & at the feet of [DEL: the :DEL] Pre [s]idents for 8 years it will be of no avail. We shall find no favor in any of the courts of this government. 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 ...
We shall build the Zion of the Lord in peace untill the servants of that Lord shall begin to lay the foundation of a great and high watch Tower and then shall they begin to say within themselves what need hath my Lord of this tower seeing this is a time of peace &c--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 shall the Lord say go tell all my servants who are the strength of mine house my young men and middle aged &c come to the Land of my vineyard and fight the battle of the Lord--Then the Kings & Queens shall
comethen 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 for in this thing shall be their safety and they will have no power to choose but will come as a man fleeth from a sudden destruction--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.
... 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.
Curse that man who says to his neighbor you are a mean man because you do not believe as I do I now invite all liberall minded men to come up to Nauvoo and help to build up the city of our God We are not greatly distressed no nor ever will be ... 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, which is my ernest prayer in the name of the L Jesus Amen ... [Howard and Martha Coray Notebook]
He (J.S.) says Zion is all North & South America The 12 Olive trees are 12 stakes J. Co. Mo. is the centre. The government is fallen & needs redeeming. It is guilty of Blood & cannot stand as it now is but will come so near dessolation [sic] as to hang as it were by a single hair!! -- Then the servants goes to the Nations of the earth, & gethers [sic] the strength of the Lord's house! a mighty army!! -- And this is the redemption of Zion -- When the saints shall have redeemed that government & reinstated it in all its purity & glory!! -- That America may be an asylum for the remnant of all nations [Orson Pratt to George A. Smith, 21 January 1841, Orson Pratt Papers, LDS Church Archives]
[The Words of Joseph Smith by Joseph Smith by Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook]
185 years ago today - Jul 19, 1840
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff]
John Jones came to oppose us & his carriage broke down & flung him in the mud. He came to meeting but the Lord shut his mouth & he could not utter a word but left the room as soon as I closed.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
John Jones came to oppose us & his carriage broke down & flung him in the mud. He came to meeting but the Lord shut his mouth & he could not utter a word but left the room as soon as I closed.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
190 years ago today - Jul 19, 1835
"The remainder of this month, I was continually engaged in translating an alphabet to the Book of Abraham, and arranging a grammar of the Egyptian language as practiced by the ancients." On this same date, W. W. Phelps writes to his wife, "These records of old times, when we translate them and print them in a book, will make a good witness for the Book of Mormon." (In reference to the above Phelps letter, Hugh Nibley argues that because Phelps said "we translate them," all of Joseph Smith's notes, Egyptian grammars, etc., were not necessarily prepared by Joseph alone, if at all. Phelps apparently tried his hand at some of these things too, and scholars should be careful not to attack Joseph for the alphabet and grammar if they were, in fact, only vain attempts by W. W. Phelps.
[History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 2:238; Brigham Young University Studies (various issues), Su '71, 394 - referenced in Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 2:238; Brigham Young University Studies (various issues), Su '71, 394 - referenced in Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
200 years ago today - Jul 19, 1825
[U.S. Religious History]
Liberal members of Congregational churches in New England founded the American Unitarian Association.
[Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline]
Liberal members of Congregational churches in New England founded the American Unitarian Association.
[Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline]
75 years ago today - Jul 18, 1950
[J. Reuben Clark]
[Arthur Gaeth telephones to tell Rowena Miller that use of the Tabernacle for Secretary of Agriculture Brannan had been withdrawn after all arrangements had been made, that it was being stated that Clark had authorized this action, and that if the situation were not altered, it would hit national news:] I then mentioned the matter to President Clark later in the afternoon, reviewing the facts and indicating to him that he (President Clark) was being quoted as the source of authority here at headquarters who had directed the stake presidency to refuse the use of the hall. President Clark told me that he had had nothing whatever to do with the matter, had not talked with anyone at Brigham City concerning the question, and told me I could quote him on that, which I later did when Arthur Gaeth called me about four o'clock.
A short time later Emily Stewart called me, said that Arthur Gaeth had called her, and I reiterated President Clark's statement that he had not talked to anyone at Brigham City either by phone or in person. I understand that she then talked to President Smith about the matter, and he called President McKay to see whether or not President McKay had had anything to do with the question, because he himself (President Smith) had not talked to any of the Brigham City people. Upon learning from President McKay that he had not spoken to anyone concerning the matter here, President Smith then asked President McKay to talk with the stake president in Brigham City by telephone and make it clear to them that whoever was saying that the First Presidency was responsible for ordering the contract for the use of the hall cancelled or withdrawing permission for
its use were in error, because no member of the Presidency had given any such instruction.
The matter was left entirely in the hands of the local brethren of the stake presidency as to whether they should make the hall available or not. ...
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
[Arthur Gaeth telephones to tell Rowena Miller that use of the Tabernacle for Secretary of Agriculture Brannan had been withdrawn after all arrangements had been made, that it was being stated that Clark had authorized this action, and that if the situation were not altered, it would hit national news:] I then mentioned the matter to President Clark later in the afternoon, reviewing the facts and indicating to him that he (President Clark) was being quoted as the source of authority here at headquarters who had directed the stake presidency to refuse the use of the hall. President Clark told me that he had had nothing whatever to do with the matter, had not talked with anyone at Brigham City concerning the question, and told me I could quote him on that, which I later did when Arthur Gaeth called me about four o'clock.
A short time later Emily Stewart called me, said that Arthur Gaeth had called her, and I reiterated President Clark's statement that he had not talked to anyone at Brigham City either by phone or in person. I understand that she then talked to President Smith about the matter, and he called President McKay to see whether or not President McKay had had anything to do with the question, because he himself (President Smith) had not talked to any of the Brigham City people. Upon learning from President McKay that he had not spoken to anyone concerning the matter here, President Smith then asked President McKay to talk with the stake president in Brigham City by telephone and make it clear to them that whoever was saying that the First Presidency was responsible for ordering the contract for the use of the hall cancelled or withdrawing permission for
its use were in error, because no member of the Presidency had given any such instruction.
The matter was left entirely in the hands of the local brethren of the stake presidency as to whether they should make the hall available or not. ...
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
45 years ago today - Jul 18, 1980
[Spencer W. Kimball letter]
.... This is an official invitation from the President of the Church for both of you to receive the most holy second anointings which it is planned will be given to you in the Ogden Temple on Sunday, August 24, 1980, at 3:00 p.m. For this you should arrange to bring your temple clothing and come also with a temple recommend. Other instructions will be given to you when we meet at the temple. If you wish to receive these blessings, please advise me immediately by letter. These blessings are to be given only upon your total worthiness. We would like you to indicate in your reply regarding this matter. This whole program should be totally confidential; and as a reply to family members as a reason for your being away from home that day, you may say you are going to a special meeting at the temple. * P.S. If you do accept, please complete the enclosed form and return it with your letter of reply.
[Spencer W. Kimball, Letter dated July 18, 1980, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
.... This is an official invitation from the President of the Church for both of you to receive the most holy second anointings which it is planned will be given to you in the Ogden Temple on Sunday, August 24, 1980, at 3:00 p.m. For this you should arrange to bring your temple clothing and come also with a temple recommend. Other instructions will be given to you when we meet at the temple. If you wish to receive these blessings, please advise me immediately by letter. These blessings are to be given only upon your total worthiness. We would like you to indicate in your reply regarding this matter. This whole program should be totally confidential; and as a reply to family members as a reason for your being away from home that day, you may say you are going to a special meeting at the temple. * P.S. If you do accept, please complete the enclosed form and return it with your letter of reply.
[Spencer W. Kimball, Letter dated July 18, 1980, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
125 years ago today - Jul 18, 1900
With permission from First Presidency First Counselor George Q. Cannon, Apostle Matthias F. Cowley performs plural marriage ceremonies for Cannons son Hugh J. Cannon and nephew John M. Cannon.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
150 years ago today - Jul 18, 1875
G[eorge] Q Cannon made some Remarks then read the rules of the United Order, which the greatest part of the Assembly voted to receive.
At the Close of the Meeting the Congregation surrounded a pool of water and Elder G Q Cannon went down into the water and Baptized 27 of the leading men of Davis County including the Bishops & their Councillors and Elders John Taylor and W Woodruff Confirmed them.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
At the Close of the Meeting the Congregation surrounded a pool of water and Elder G Q Cannon went down into the water and Baptized 27 of the leading men of Davis County including the Bishops & their Councillors and Elders John Taylor and W Woodruff Confirmed them.
[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 - Jul 18, 1875
Apostle Orson Pratt preaches in Salt Lake City that rebaptism "seems to be a kind of standing ordinance for all Latter-day Saints who emigrate here, from the First Presidency down; all are rebaptized and set out anew by renewing their covenants." After his counselor Daniel H. Wells eulogizes Emmeline Free Young, Brigham Young stuns those at the funeral by instructing her children and grandchildren not to follow his plural wife's "bad example." In her manuscript "My Father's Wives," Susa Young Gates explains that "Aunt Emmeline became addicted to morphine in the later years of her life."
[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 )]]
160 years ago today - Jul 18, 1865
President Young spoke 20 minuts on disease & its Cures. He said for the gravel [kidney stones] use Onions, or wintergreen. For the piles [hemorrhoids] or costivenees [constipation] use the syrenge. For sore Eyes put wet Earth in a rag & put on the Eyes. For heart burn let the wind go downwards & not upwards.
[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]
180 years ago today - Jul 18, 1845
[Wilford Woodruff]
July 18th 1845 This morning at half Past Seven oclok Just 30 minutes past 7 Mrs Phebe W. Woodruff was deliverd of a fine Son After a Short sickness. I laid hands upon her at the commencement of her sickness. I told her it should be well with her & with her Child which was the case. This was the first Child we have had since our endowment & I thank the Lord that it is a Son for unto us a child is born unto us a Son is given. His name shall be Called JOSepH for unto him the Priesthood belongs. He is the first fruits of the fulness of the Priesthood out of the loins of Ancient Joseph through the linage of Ephraim given unto us in answer to our Prayers for we Asked the Lord to give unto us a Son And he has granted unto us our request.
We have dedicated & Consecrated him unto the Lord even from his mother womb he is Holy unto the Lord. My Prayer to my Heavenly father is that his life may be preserved to stand among the Sons of Zion bear the Priesthood with honor And bless his Father and Mother in their old age And Honor them that his days may be long upon the land which the Lord God of Israel shall give unto him.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
July 18th 1845 This morning at half Past Seven oclok Just 30 minutes past 7 Mrs Phebe W. Woodruff was deliverd of a fine Son After a Short sickness. I laid hands upon her at the commencement of her sickness. I told her it should be well with her & with her Child which was the case. This was the first Child we have had since our endowment & I thank the Lord that it is a Son for unto us a child is born unto us a Son is given. His name shall be Called JOSepH for unto him the Priesthood belongs. He is the first fruits of the fulness of the Priesthood out of the loins of Ancient Joseph through the linage of Ephraim given unto us in answer to our Prayers for we Asked the Lord to give unto us a Son And he has granted unto us our request.
We have dedicated & Consecrated him unto the Lord even from his mother womb he is Holy unto the Lord. My Prayer to my Heavenly father is that his life may be preserved to stand among the Sons of Zion bear the Priesthood with honor And bless his Father and Mother in their old age And Honor them that his days may be long upon the land which the Lord God of Israel shall give unto him.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Jul 18, 1845
Lucy Mack Smith obtains a copyright on her manuscript for her history of Joseph Smith and his progenitors. Seven years later Orson Pratt has the manuscript published in Liverpool England after many changes which include inserting Joseph Smiths account of the First Vision which was not mentioned in the original manuscript.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
180 years ago today - Jul 18, 1845
Patriarchal Blessing of Mary Walker given by William Smith ... the blessings of the living and the blessings of the dead are upon thee and thou shalt live to see many days and years to come and thy Soul shall not faint within thee neither shall it suffer the pain of death.
[Patriarchal Blessings]
[Patriarchal Blessings]
55 years ago today - Jul 17, 1970
First Presidency letter ends financial independence of Relief Society by stopping payment of dues, prohibiting traditional Relief Society bazaar ("a noisy, carnival-like or commercial atmosphere"), and requiring that individual "Relief Societies sould immediately turn over to the appropriate Stake, Mission, Ward, Branch, or District presiding officers all assets which they have accumulated." This clarifies full intent of brief letter of Jun 10. Eliminating Relief Society's autonomy is central goal of Harold B. Lee's vision of church "correlation."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
55 years ago today - Jul 17, 1970
A First Presidency letter ends the financial independence of the Relief Society by stopping the payment of dues, prohibiting the traditional Relief Society bazaar ("a noisy, carnival-like or commercial atmosphere"), and requiring that individual "Relief Societies should immediately turn over to the appropriate Stake, Mission, Ward, Branch, or District presiding officers all assets which they have accumulated." This clarifies the full intent of the brief letter of 10 June. Eliminating the Relief Society's autonomy is the central goal of Harold B. Lee's vision of church "correlation."
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
80 years ago today - Jul 17, 1945
3:30 p.m. Bishop Parley Eccles called at the office and reported the following:
Segolite Company'Don B. Colton, Bishop Parley Eccles, and V. A. Olson, Directors. They interested President Grant in the project and he invested several thousand dollars. Company has gone broke. It seems that some blame President Colton for having induced President Grant to invest. Brother Eccles says President Colton is not to blame, but rather than have aspersions directed at either President Colton's or his name, Brother Eccles offers to pay back personally the money President Grant put in.
[David O. McKay 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]
Segolite Company'Don B. Colton, Bishop Parley Eccles, and V. A. Olson, Directors. They interested President Grant in the project and he invested several thousand dollars. Company has gone broke. It seems that some blame President Colton for having induced President Grant to invest. Brother Eccles says President Colton is not to blame, but rather than have aspersions directed at either President Colton's or his name, Brother Eccles offers to pay back personally the money President Grant put in.
[David O. McKay 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]
110 years ago today - Jul 17, 1915
Two young Mormons, Rafael Monroy and Vincente Morales, are shot-execution style-in Mexico by supporters of Emilio Zapata and become the earliest martyrs of Mormonism in Mexico.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
145 years ago today - Jul 17, 1880
Meeting held on July 17, 1880:
"Sister Whitney then sang one of her sweet songs of Zion in the language which was spoken and sung (the Prophet Joseph said) by our first parents in the Garden of Eden. Sister Snow explained that Joseph Smith told Mother Whitney 'If she would use the gift with wisdom it should remain with her as long as she lived.- Sister Zina then gave the interpretation. The theme of which was rejoicing and praise to the Great Author and Giver of good."
[R[elief], S[ociety]. Reports," Woman's Exponent 9 (September 1, 1880):54]
"Sister Whitney then sang one of her sweet songs of Zion in the language which was spoken and sung (the Prophet Joseph said) by our first parents in the Garden of Eden. Sister Snow explained that Joseph Smith told Mother Whitney 'If she would use the gift with wisdom it should remain with her as long as she lived.- Sister Zina then gave the interpretation. The theme of which was rejoicing and praise to the Great Author and Giver of good."
[R[elief], S[ociety]. Reports," Woman's Exponent 9 (September 1, 1880):54]
145 years ago today - Jul 17, 1880
"Relief Society Report, Seting Apart Officers, &c.," July 17, 1880; Relief Society Record, 1880-1892, pp. 9-14, CHL (CR 11 175).
On July 17, 1880, a month after John Taylor had nominated a new general Relief Society presidency, he attended a general meeting of women held in the Salt Lake City Fourteenth Ward assembly hall to set apart the newly sustained officers. The terms set apart and ordain were used interchangeably at this time. Taylor used both when setting apart officers on this occasion: "I set thee apart to preside over the Relief Societies in the Church" and "I confer on thee this power and authority and ordain thee to this office."
Eliza R. Snow served seven years in her formal capacity as general president, establishing policies and procedures that would govern the society for years to come. Zina D. H. Young served as first counselor in the presidency until Snow's death in 1887, after which she was appointed Relief Society general president. Second counselor Elizabeth Ann Whitney, who had also been a counselor to Emma Smith, died in 1882, leaving a vacancy in the presidency that was not filled during Snow's administration. Sarah M. Kimball served as general secretary while maintaining her position as president of the Salt Lake City Fifteenth Ward Relief Society. Mary Isabella Horne was named Relief Society treasurer—a position she held until 1901—although she was not set apart on this occasion. Horne served concurrently as general treasurer, president of the Salt Lake Stake Relief Society, and president of the Retrenchment Association.
[4.5 General Relief Society Meeting, Report, July 17, 1880, as quoted in Matthew J. Grow, Jill Derr, Carol Madsen, and Kate Holbrook, editors, The First Fifty Years of Relief Society: Key Documents in Latter-day Saint Women's History, The Church Historian's Press, 2016, https://churchhistorianspress..org/the-first-fifty-years-of-relief-society/]
On July 17, 1880, a month after John Taylor had nominated a new general Relief Society presidency, he attended a general meeting of women held in the Salt Lake City Fourteenth Ward assembly hall to set apart the newly sustained officers. The terms set apart and ordain were used interchangeably at this time. Taylor used both when setting apart officers on this occasion: "I set thee apart to preside over the Relief Societies in the Church" and "I confer on thee this power and authority and ordain thee to this office."
Eliza R. Snow served seven years in her formal capacity as general president, establishing policies and procedures that would govern the society for years to come. Zina D. H. Young served as first counselor in the presidency until Snow's death in 1887, after which she was appointed Relief Society general president. Second counselor Elizabeth Ann Whitney, who had also been a counselor to Emma Smith, died in 1882, leaving a vacancy in the presidency that was not filled during Snow's administration. Sarah M. Kimball served as general secretary while maintaining her position as president of the Salt Lake City Fifteenth Ward Relief Society. Mary Isabella Horne was named Relief Society treasurer—a position she held until 1901—although she was not set apart on this occasion. Horne served concurrently as general treasurer, president of the Salt Lake Stake Relief Society, and president of the Retrenchment Association.
[4.5 General Relief Society Meeting, Report, July 17, 1880, as quoted in Matthew J. Grow, Jill Derr, Carol Madsen, and Kate Holbrook, editors, The First Fifty Years of Relief Society: Key Documents in Latter-day Saint Women's History, The Church Historian's Press, 2016, https://churchhistorianspress..org/the-first-fifty-years-of-relief-society/]
145 years ago today - Jul 17, 1880
"Relief Society Report, Seting Apart Officers, &c.," July 17, 1880; Relief Society Record, 1880-1892, pp. 9-14, CHL (CR 11 175).
On July 17, 1880, a month after John Taylor had nominated a new general Relief Society presidency, he attended a general meeting of women held in the Salt Lake City Fourteenth Ward assembly hall to set apart the newly sustained officers. The terms set apart and ordain were used interchangeably at this time. Taylor used both when setting apart officers on this occasion: "I set thee apart to preside over the Relief Societies in the Church" and "I confer on thee this power and authority and ordain thee to this office."
Eliza R. Snow served seven years in her formal capacity as general president, establishing policies and procedures that would govern the society for years to come. Zina D. H. Young served as first counselor in the presidency until Snow's death in 1887, after which she was appointed Relief Society general president. Second counselor Elizabeth Ann Whitney, who had also been a counselor to Emma Smith, died in 1882, leaving a vacancy in the presidency that was not filled during Snow's administration. Sarah M. Kimball served as general secretary while maintaining her position as president of the Salt Lake City Fifteenth Ward Relief Society. Mary Isabella Horne was named Relief Society treasurer—a position she held until 1901—although she was not set apart on this occasion. Horne served concurrently as general treasurer, president of the Salt Lake Stake Relief Society, and president of the Retrenchment Association.
[4.5 General Relief Society Meeting, Report, July 17, 1880, as quoted in Matthew J. Grow, Jill Derr, Carol Madsen, and Kate Holbrook, editors, The First Fifty Years of Relief Society: Key Documents in Latter-day Saint Women's History, The Church Historian's Press, 2016, https://churchhistorianspress..org/the-first-fifty-years-of-relief-society/]
On July 17, 1880, a month after John Taylor had nominated a new general Relief Society presidency, he attended a general meeting of women held in the Salt Lake City Fourteenth Ward assembly hall to set apart the newly sustained officers. The terms set apart and ordain were used interchangeably at this time. Taylor used both when setting apart officers on this occasion: "I set thee apart to preside over the Relief Societies in the Church" and "I confer on thee this power and authority and ordain thee to this office."
Eliza R. Snow served seven years in her formal capacity as general president, establishing policies and procedures that would govern the society for years to come. Zina D. H. Young served as first counselor in the presidency until Snow's death in 1887, after which she was appointed Relief Society general president. Second counselor Elizabeth Ann Whitney, who had also been a counselor to Emma Smith, died in 1882, leaving a vacancy in the presidency that was not filled during Snow's administration. Sarah M. Kimball served as general secretary while maintaining her position as president of the Salt Lake City Fifteenth Ward Relief Society. Mary Isabella Horne was named Relief Society treasurer—a position she held until 1901—although she was not set apart on this occasion. Horne served concurrently as general treasurer, president of the Salt Lake Stake Relief Society, and president of the Retrenchment Association.
[4.5 General Relief Society Meeting, Report, July 17, 1880, as quoted in Matthew J. Grow, Jill Derr, Carol Madsen, and Kate Holbrook, editors, The First Fifty Years of Relief Society: Key Documents in Latter-day Saint Women's History, The Church Historian's Press, 2016, https://churchhistorianspress..org/the-first-fifty-years-of-relief-society/]
150 years ago today - Jul 17, 1875
Wilford Woodruff writes: "I met at the Endowment House at 2 oclok [with] the Presidency & Twelve. President Young & G[eorge] A Smith went into the font and G. A. Smith Baptized President Brigham Young for the renewal of his Covenant and as an Example to others. G. A. Smith & Daniel H. Wells Confirmed him. President Young then Baptized G A Smith & Daniel H Wells & Confirmed them. President Young then Baptized Wilford Woodruff, Orson Pratt, & Albert Carrington and Confirmed them. Seven of the Twelve were Baptized by D H. Wells at Sanpete County several weeks ago. They were Confirmed by President Young."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
185 years ago today - 1840: 17 July
[Patriarchal Blessing of John Landers given by Joseph Smith, Sen.]
.... thou may remain till the Saviour of the world makes his appearance, and comes to the world without sin unto salvation. ... little or not gentile blood remaining in thy veins. ...
[Typescript, P8 f22, RLDS Archives, in Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
.... thou may remain till the Saviour of the world makes his appearance, and comes to the world without sin unto salvation. ... little or not gentile blood remaining in thy veins. ...
[Typescript, P8 f22, RLDS Archives, in Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
130 years ago today - Jul 16, 1895
.... In regard to the stories Father knew of only the one, that the golden plates <<and a stone>> through which he <<Smith>> had to look to read them were found in the side of a hill near Palmyra while he was diggin[g] for buried treasure. Father had nothing to do with making of the plates, they and never saw them; as a great favor he was allowed to "heft" them and to feel them in the bag in which they were kept and which was made like a pillow case. He does not think that any one besides "Joe Smith" ever saw the plates ... Father says that he never knew of their being dishonest accordin[g] to the common acceptation of the word. They were a good natured, ignorant, shif<<t>>less family, disliking hard work, spending their time in selling gingerbread, telling fortunes, locating water for wells, and digging for hid <<buried>> treasures; it was the ridicule, which people thought, which made him into he received for dig=ging whi that made <<him>> invent the story of the golden plates.
....
[Philana A. Foster to E. W. Taylor, 16 July 1895, Theodore A. Schroeder Papers, Archives, Wisconsin State Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Philana A. Foster To E. W. Taylor]
....
[Philana A. Foster to E. W. Taylor, 16 July 1895, Theodore A. Schroeder Papers, Archives, Wisconsin State Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Philana A. Foster To E. W. Taylor]
130 years ago today - Jul 16, 1895
Pres[iden]t [Lorenzo] Snow returned from Soda Springs. Met him at the Temple and we enjoyed a very interesting chat on the gospel. He is rather inclined to believe that our spirits always existed.
[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]
[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]
155 years ago today - Jul 16, 1870
Non-Mormons organized the Liberal party, which markedly divided Utah citizens for more than twenty years. "Godbeites" joined with the Gentiles for political purposes, with members of both groups calling for all who opposed "despotism and tyranny in Utah" and who favored separation of church and state to join in a founding convention held in the Gentile stronghold of Corrine.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
160 years ago today - Jul 16, 1865
Presidet Young spoke one hour & 12 Minuts. He advised the people to get up 100 well disiplined Mounted men & to be in readiness at a moments warning to defend you against all Indians, & do your duty & say nothing to any man ... Use up [IE kill] thes wicked Indians who are killing the inhabitants & if these indians who profess to be friendly will not help bring them to justice, do not let them stay with you but treat them as Enemies, & if [a] white man will not help [-] make him...
[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]
180 years ago today - Jul 16, 1845
[Zina Huntington Jacobs Smith Young]
I went with sister [Patty] Sessions to brother Green's Funeral. Pres B Young spoke. May I never forget the words that fell from his lips. He spake of the power the Saints would have over disease, The fall of the Earth, its redemption, also all those that ware destined to this planet or world. -- Nauvoo, Illinois
[Zina Jacobs Young Journal, BYU Studies 19:3, 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]
I went with sister [Patty] Sessions to brother Green's Funeral. Pres B Young spoke. May I never forget the words that fell from his lips. He spake of the power the Saints would have over disease, The fall of the Earth, its redemption, also all those that ware destined to this planet or world. -- Nauvoo, Illinois
[Zina Jacobs Young Journal, BYU Studies 19:3, 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 - Jul 16, 1845. Wednesday.
[William Clayton]
.... Soon as she [his 5th wife, Diantha] got laid down she began to toss about and rave as if in great pain which seemed to increase untill she was perfectly out of her mind and raging. She tore her hair ... about half past 10 Sister Farr went and called Brother Farr. He came down and laid hands on her and rebuked the evil spirit and commanded it to leave her in the name of the Lord. She immediately calmed down and seemed to fall into a mild sleep. Soon after she commenced talking or rather answering questions. She seemed to be in the world of spirits on a visit, and about the first she conversed with was Brother Joseph and the conversation seemed to be on the subject of the massacre. She then appeared to go and visit a number of dead relatives who invariably enquired about their relatives on earth. The answers she gave were literally facts as they exist. She then enquired for William Smiths wife Caroline. She was soon taken to her and entered into conversation. Caroline asked
about William of course, how her two girls were and whether he had got married. To all these interrogatories she answered in the nicest manner, avoiding carefully any thing which would wound Carolines feelings. She then enquired for Sister Richards and soon met with her. It seemed by her answers that Sister Richards asked how the Doctor felt when she left him, how his children were, and whether Lucy lived with him, all which she answered correctly. She then visited Wm. Snows first wife and conversed about Wm. and his daughter and father. She then appeared to go back to Brother Joseph and Hyrum Smith and Father Smith. Joseph asked about Emma and the children and how the Twelve and Emma felt towards each other &c. all which she answered wisely but truly. He also asked about Lydia [Moon] and gave her some instructions for Lydia. He asked about me and told her I was a good man. When she parted with her friends she always bid them "good bye" but when she parted with Joseph she said, "I
am not in the habit of kissing men but I want to kiss you" which she appeared to do and then said "farewell." She then seemed to start back for home. She appeared all the time in a hurry to get back. She said she would like to tarry but she could not leave father and mother and another, but she would soon return and bring them with her and then she would tarry with them. She conversed about two hours in this manner and seemed overjoyed all the time. A pleasant smile sat on her countenance which continued after she awoke. It was one of the most interesting and sweet interviews I ever witnessed, and a very good spirit seemd to prevail all the time. I left about 1 o clock apparently much composed and comparatively free from pain.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
.... Soon as she [his 5th wife, Diantha] got laid down she began to toss about and rave as if in great pain which seemed to increase untill she was perfectly out of her mind and raging. She tore her hair ... about half past 10 Sister Farr went and called Brother Farr. He came down and laid hands on her and rebuked the evil spirit and commanded it to leave her in the name of the Lord. She immediately calmed down and seemed to fall into a mild sleep. Soon after she commenced talking or rather answering questions. She seemed to be in the world of spirits on a visit, and about the first she conversed with was Brother Joseph and the conversation seemed to be on the subject of the massacre. She then appeared to go and visit a number of dead relatives who invariably enquired about their relatives on earth. The answers she gave were literally facts as they exist. She then enquired for William Smiths wife Caroline. She was soon taken to her and entered into conversation. Caroline asked
about William of course, how her two girls were and whether he had got married. To all these interrogatories she answered in the nicest manner, avoiding carefully any thing which would wound Carolines feelings. She then enquired for Sister Richards and soon met with her. It seemed by her answers that Sister Richards asked how the Doctor felt when she left him, how his children were, and whether Lucy lived with him, all which she answered correctly. She then visited Wm. Snows first wife and conversed about Wm. and his daughter and father. She then appeared to go back to Brother Joseph and Hyrum Smith and Father Smith. Joseph asked about Emma and the children and how the Twelve and Emma felt towards each other &c. all which she answered wisely but truly. He also asked about Lydia [Moon] and gave her some instructions for Lydia. He asked about me and told her I was a good man. When she parted with her friends she always bid them "good bye" but when she parted with Joseph she said, "I
am not in the habit of kissing men but I want to kiss you" which she appeared to do and then said "farewell." She then seemed to start back for home. She appeared all the time in a hurry to get back. She said she would like to tarry but she could not leave father and mother and another, but she would soon return and bring them with her and then she would tarry with them. She conversed about two hours in this manner and seemed overjoyed all the time. A pleasant smile sat on her countenance which continued after she awoke. It was one of the most interesting and sweet interviews I ever witnessed, and a very good spirit seemd to prevail all the time. I left about 1 o clock apparently much composed and comparatively free from pain.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
180 years ago today - Jul 16, 1845
[Heber C. Kimball]
After dark I went to the River and Baptized Sarah [Ann Whitney] and Si[s]ter Winchester. [already baptized]
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
After dark I went to the River and Baptized Sarah [Ann Whitney] and Si[s]ter Winchester. [already baptized]
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
180 years ago today - Jul 16, 1845
Patriarchal Blessing of Rhoda Reid given by William Smith ... to this end [d]ear sister, I seal thee up unto eternal life, and also seal upon thy head the blessings [of] the Resurrection power, to stand in that day numbered with the holy ones of the earth [a]nd priests and kings of heaven ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
[Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - Jul 16, 1845
Patriarchal Blessing for Ann B. Peterson (deceased) given to Mary Ann Peterson (proxy) by William Smith ... A blessing by Wm Smith Patriarch in favor of Ann B Peterson deceased daughter of Edward and Mary Dennis born Monmouth Co New Jersey April 1818 On the head of Mary ann Peterson sitting as proxy daughter of William C & Elizabeth Patten born Lancaster Co Pen[n]sylvania 23d July 1822
Dear Sister I lay my hands upon your head in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazereth to seal upon you a blessing by proxy for her who is dead yet whose Spirit lives in heaven above ... but the fulness of her Salvation cannot be made perfect until her companion is with her ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
Dear Sister I lay my hands upon your head in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazereth to seal upon you a blessing by proxy for her who is dead yet whose Spirit lives in heaven above ... but the fulness of her Salvation cannot be made perfect until her companion is with her ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
200 years ago today - Jul 16, 1825
The REPUBLICAN ADVOCATE in Batavia, New York publishes the text of a speech in defense of Freemasonry: "He [Enoch] also caused a triangular plate of gold to be made, each side was a cubit long, . . .- he then engraved upon it the INEFFABLE CHARACTERS," Joseph Smith later uses the name "Enoch" to refer to himself.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
15 years ago today - 2010 July 15
Mormon.org is revamped to showcase profiles of LDS members, which are then highlighted in the new I'm a Mormon media campaign.
[Wikipedia, 21st Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_century_(Mormonism)]
[Wikipedia, 21st Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_century_(Mormonism)]
50 years ago today - Jul 15, 1975-Tuesday
[Leonard Arrington]
Floyd O'Neill and [Greg] Thompson from the University of Utah Western Study Center came in my office this morning to bring copies of Utah: A Hispanic History. I presented to Floyd the matter of Brigham Young's letters to Indian chiefs and asked his advice on publishing them. He counseled me not to publish them. He said it would only bring trouble to the Church. The militant Indians would flay it as condescending and cultural imperialism. It could not do any good, he thought.
He said he was not familiar with Larry Coates or his work. He said he would also counsel me against publishing minutes and records of meetings between Brigham Young and Indian chiefs except that where there is no surface condescension. [H]e thought it might be desirable for us to publish some of these in professional historical journals but not submit it to Indian History, which is controlled by the militants../ He said the word Indian is a good one to use as a collective term. Native American people is also acceptable. The term Lamanite is objected to severely by the militant LDS and others[,] mildly disapproved by a large proportion even of LDS members. He said that LDS members will not complain about the term to Church officials, but they do privately to him-they do not see its appropriateness in this day and age. It is an ancient term pertaining to an ancient people. ...
He said the state of Indian-White relations today is such that "you're damned if you do and damned if you don't" and to get involved you have to have a pretty thick skin. He said his own skin was thick, but he attempted to use wisdom in all that he did.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Floyd O'Neill and [Greg] Thompson from the University of Utah Western Study Center came in my office this morning to bring copies of Utah: A Hispanic History. I presented to Floyd the matter of Brigham Young's letters to Indian chiefs and asked his advice on publishing them. He counseled me not to publish them. He said it would only bring trouble to the Church. The militant Indians would flay it as condescending and cultural imperialism. It could not do any good, he thought.
He said he was not familiar with Larry Coates or his work. He said he would also counsel me against publishing minutes and records of meetings between Brigham Young and Indian chiefs except that where there is no surface condescension. [H]e thought it might be desirable for us to publish some of these in professional historical journals but not submit it to Indian History, which is controlled by the militants../ He said the word Indian is a good one to use as a collective term. Native American people is also acceptable. The term Lamanite is objected to severely by the militant LDS and others[,] mildly disapproved by a large proportion even of LDS members. He said that LDS members will not complain about the term to Church officials, but they do privately to him-they do not see its appropriateness in this day and age. It is an ancient term pertaining to an ancient people. ...
He said the state of Indian-White relations today is such that "you're damned if you do and damned if you don't" and to get involved you have to have a pretty thick skin. He said his own skin was thick, but he attempted to use wisdom in all that he did.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
65 years ago today - Jul 15, 1960
[J. Reuben Clark]
During evening (7:00) Mr. and Mrs. Reed Benson and Mr. Mark Benson called at President Clark's home and saw his library. Reed ... wanted to ask question; one of the questions was whether or not his father should make a statement in favor of Rockefellor for President; Pres. Clark said he would have to take that up with President McKay, the President of the Church.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
During evening (7:00) Mr. and Mrs. Reed Benson and Mr. Mark Benson called at President Clark's home and saw his library. Reed ... wanted to ask question; one of the questions was whether or not his father should make a statement in favor of Rockefellor for President; Pres. Clark said he would have to take that up with President McKay, the President of the Church.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
110 years ago today - Jul 15, 1915; Thursday
[James E. Talmage]
Attended Council meeting of the First Presidency and Twelve. Today I learned that during my absence I have been appointed by the First Presidency and Twelve to represent the Church in an address in San Francisco on July 29th in connection with the World's Congress of Religious Philosophies. At the time of the Columbian Exposition in 1893 the World's Congress of Religions was held, Elder Brigham H. Roberts presented himself as a representative of our Church and was promptly refused recognition. Though Brahminism, Confucianism, Shintoism and other oriental religions, as well as the so-called Christian sects, each and all could have a hearing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was refused recognition. It is interesting now to note that the World's Congress of Religious Philosophies extends a very cordial invitation to the Church to be represented on their program.
[James E. Talmage, Diary]
Attended Council meeting of the First Presidency and Twelve. Today I learned that during my absence I have been appointed by the First Presidency and Twelve to represent the Church in an address in San Francisco on July 29th in connection with the World's Congress of Religious Philosophies. At the time of the Columbian Exposition in 1893 the World's Congress of Religions was held, Elder Brigham H. Roberts presented himself as a representative of our Church and was promptly refused recognition. Though Brahminism, Confucianism, Shintoism and other oriental religions, as well as the so-called Christian sects, each and all could have a hearing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was refused recognition. It is interesting now to note that the World's Congress of Religious Philosophies extends a very cordial invitation to the Church to be represented on their program.
[James E. Talmage, Diary]
130 years ago today - Jul 15, 1895
THE RETURN, an RLDS publication, publishes a letter by Emma [Smith] Bidamon, Joseph Smith's widow: "I always feel a peculiar satisfaction in giving all the information on that subject that I can. Now the first that my husband translated, [the book] was translated by the use of the Urim, and Thummim, and that was the part that Martin Harris lost, after that he used a small stone, not exactly, black, but was rather a dark color, . . . ."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
135 years ago today - Jul 15, 1890
[Heber J. Grant]
I think more of the confidence of my friends than I do of all the other successes that have attended my labors
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I think more of the confidence of my friends than I do of all the other successes that have attended my labors
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Jul 15, 1890
Anti-Mormon party wins SLC school election
In another devastating blow to Mormon independence, on July 15, the anti-Mormon party wins the Salt Lake City school elections. This was part of a string of disasters. On July 1, the US Senate introduced a bill to ban Mormons from homesteading in Wyoming. On July 29, the Utah Supreme Court ruled that polygamous children could not inherit their fathers estates, and on August 5, the anti-Mormon party won almost every county office in Salt Lake and Weber Counties.
[Tungate, Mel, Mormon Polygamy, http://www.tungate.com/polygamy.htm]
In another devastating blow to Mormon independence, on July 15, the anti-Mormon party wins the Salt Lake City school elections. This was part of a string of disasters. On July 1, the US Senate introduced a bill to ban Mormons from homesteading in Wyoming. On July 29, the Utah Supreme Court ruled that polygamous children could not inherit their fathers estates, and on August 5, the anti-Mormon party won almost every county office in Salt Lake and Weber Counties.
[Tungate, Mel, Mormon Polygamy, http://www.tungate.com/polygamy.htm]
160 years ago today - Jul 15, 1865
[Wilford Woodruff]
[Manti] A Company of 50 men went out to try to overtake & punish the Indians who were killing the people. Col Warren L Snow had Charge of the Command.
Our Meeting opened by prayer by W. Woodruff. John Taylor Spoke 28 minutes. (While speaking it was found that many had loaded guns in the Congregation. All that were loaded was taken out & stashed outside & a guard put over them.)
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Manti] A Company of 50 men went out to try to overtake & punish the Indians who were killing the people. Col Warren L Snow had Charge of the Command.
Our Meeting opened by prayer by W. Woodruff. John Taylor Spoke 28 minutes. (While speaking it was found that many had loaded guns in the Congregation. All that were loaded was taken out & stashed outside & a guard put over them.)
[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 - Jul 15, 1860
[Brigham Young] The Lord would open the Earth & swallow up such Cities as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, & other great Cities of the Nations and the sea would heave itself beyound its bounds and famines would spread not ownly over this Continent but it will spread & be felt in States, Nations, & Continents and the Saints will Close there Eyes upon the scene and their hearts will be filled with paine.
[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]
170 years ago today - Jul 15, 1855
.... At the close of the meeting President Snow nominated his two Councellors. Diminicus Carter was first Councellor. The people did not all vote. Two voted against him.
Their is a strange spirit in provo. Many do not pray & have not the spirit of God. In the Commencemet of the meeting it was very hard work to preach. The people seemed Cold & indifferent ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Their is a strange spirit in provo. Many do not pray & have not the spirit of God. In the Commencemet of the meeting it was very hard work to preach. The people seemed Cold & indifferent ...
[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 - Jul 15, 1855
[Brigham Young]
The Lord in his wisdom has appointed our location in the midst of Israel [Indians], which is a astounding miracle. How many times have you heard it spoken in tongues and prophesied of in days past and said that you should yet go and teach the Lamanites. If the Latter-day Saints are faithful in these things of teaching that people, all will be well with us ... I want to know if you feel to realize the promises in the Book of Mormon. Will you turn them [Indians] away empty? Instead of their being our inferiors, they are our superiors in many things, as they are the lawful heirs and we have sprung from the Gentiles
[The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
The Lord in his wisdom has appointed our location in the midst of Israel [Indians], which is a astounding miracle. How many times have you heard it spoken in tongues and prophesied of in days past and said that you should yet go and teach the Lamanites. If the Latter-day Saints are faithful in these things of teaching that people, all will be well with us ... I want to know if you feel to realize the promises in the Book of Mormon. Will you turn them [Indians] away empty? Instead of their being our inferiors, they are our superiors in many things, as they are the lawful heirs and we have sprung from the Gentiles
[The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
175 years ago today - Jul 15, 1850
[Wilford Woodruff]
During the Evening we were visited with A terrible Thunder storm. The lightning struck all around us & while the teams were crossing A slew the lightning burst into their midst & shocked many persons & beast & it killed 3 oxen & one man dead. It was Brother Ridge from Lane End Staffordshire England that was killed & his team. He was buried in the evening. He belonged to Elder Whipples fifty.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
During the Evening we were visited with A terrible Thunder storm. The lightning struck all around us & while the teams were crossing A slew the lightning burst into their midst & shocked many persons & beast & it killed 3 oxen & one man dead. It was Brother Ridge from Lane End Staffordshire England that was killed & his team. He was buried in the evening. He belonged to Elder Whipples fifty.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
185 years ago today - Jul 15, 1840
WESTERN WORLD, published in Warsaw Illinois reports that some residents of Hancock had begun to complain of "petty depredations... such as the loss of various small instruments of agriculture." Particularly aggrieved are some residents of Tully, Missouri, who complained of the loss of a variety of items. A depot of stolen goods identified as the Tully items are found on a farm not far from Warsaw. Tully residents stake out the depot, and take four Mormons prisoner who are found in the vicinity of the stolen items. They kidnap the four, take them across the river into Missouri, and extract confessions from three of them by tying them to trees and beating them.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
30 years ago today - Jul 14, 1995
USA TODAY reports: "A Bountiful, Utah man discovered that his wife of 3 1/2 years is a man who is now jailed on charges he ran up $40,000 in phony credit card charges. Bruce Jensen, 39, says he feels 'pretty stupid' that he didn't know Felix Urioste, 34 was a man." Jensen and Urioste (using the name Leasa) were married in Lyman, Wyoming in Dec of 1991 and later were sealed for time and eternity in the Salt Lake Temple.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
130 years ago today - Jul 14, 1895
[Francis M. Lyman]
[Oak Creek] I spoke much of Statehood and equal suffrage also of the improvements that should be made to emphasize the town. After [the] meeting I learned that my brother Jos[eph] A. and his wide did not like my talk on the suffrage ...
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Oak Creek] I spoke much of Statehood and equal suffrage also of the improvements that should be made to emphasize the town. After [the] meeting I learned that my brother Jos[eph] A. and his wide did not like my talk on the suffrage ...
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Jul 14, 1890 (Monday)
The election of a board of school trustees for Salt Lake City, under the new law, resulted in the election of eight "Liberals" and four People's party men [Mormons]; but the latter were kept out of their offices for some time, while the court tried the case.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
135 years ago today - Jul 14, 1890 (Monday)
Frank H. Dyer resigned his office as Receiver of the confiscated Church property.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
145 years ago today - Jul 14, 1880
[Joseph F. Smith]
President [John] Taylor presented his views in writing on the subject of the priesthood which were read to the council. Some enquiries and explanations were made, and some doubts expressed by Bro[ther]s. O[rson]. Pratt and Geo[rge]. Q. Cannon. Ithink the President's views are verycorrect and I can most freely endorse them.
[Joseph F. Smith 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]
President [John] Taylor presented his views in writing on the subject of the priesthood which were read to the council. Some enquiries and explanations were made, and some doubts expressed by Bro[ther]s. O[rson]. Pratt and Geo[rge]. Q. Cannon. Ithink the President's views are verycorrect and I can most freely endorse them.
[Joseph F. Smith 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]
165 years ago today - Jul 14, 1860
[Brigham Young]
President Joseph Young called in and enquired of the President if it was necessary to cut presidents of Quorums [off] from the church for drunkenness. '"Should not presidents and bishops be cut off also for the same vice?'" -- Salt Lake City
[Brigham Young Office Journals, 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 Joseph Young called in and enquired of the President if it was necessary to cut presidents of Quorums [off] from the church for drunkenness. '"Should not presidents and bishops be cut off also for the same vice?'" -- Salt Lake City
[Brigham Young Office Journals, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
170 years ago today - Jul 14, 1855
[Brigham Young]
I have a few words to say concerning one item of doctrine, that I seldom think of mentioning before a public congregation; I refer to the doctrine pertaining to raising up a royal Priesthood to the name of Israel's God, for which purpose the revelation was given to Joseph, concerning the right of faithful Elders, in taking to themselves more than one wife. I frequently hear from others that this doctrine is laughed at and ridiculed; I heard yesterday of its being laughed out of doors, even jeered and sneered out of a Bishop's house. I am not personally cognizant of any one jeering at and deriding this doctrine; still, I hear that there are some few who are opposed to it. Once in a while sentiments reach my ears which sound very curious and strange, and when I hear them, I do really wish that some were possessed of better sense; I will, therefore, tell you a few things that you should know. God never introduced the Patriarchal order of marriage with a view to please man in his
carnal desires, nor to punish females for anything which they had done; but He introduced it for the express purpose of raising up to His name a royal Priesthood, a peculiar people. Do we not see the benefit of it? Yes, we have lived long enough to realize its advantages. Suppose that I had had the privilege of having only one wife, I should have had only three sons, for those are all that my first wife bore, whereas, I now have buried five sons, and have thirteen living. It is obvious that I could not have been blessed with such a family, if I had been restricted to one wife, but, by the introduction of this law, I can be the instrument in preparing tabernacles for those spirits which have to come in this dispensation. Under this law, I and my brethren are preparing tabernacles for those spirits which have been preserved to enter into bodies of honor, and be taught the pure principles of life and salvation, and those tabernacles will grow up and become mighty in the kingdom of our
God. ... This law was never given of the Lord for any but his faithful children; it is not for the ungodly at all; no man has a right to a wife, or wives, unless he honors his Priesthood and magnifies his calling before God. I foresaw, when Joseph first made known this doctrine, that it would be a trial, and a source of great care and anxiety to the brethren, and what of that? We are to gird up our loins and fulfil this, just as we would any other duty. (High wind and clouds of dust prevented speaking for several seconds.) It has been strenuously urged by many, that this doctrine was introduced through lust, but that is a gross misrepresentation. (A thick cloud of dust prevented speaking for about two minutes.) This revelation, which God gave to Joseph, was for the express purpose of providing a channel for the organization of tabernacles... I know quite a number of men in this Church who will not take any more women, because they do not wish to take care of them; a contracted
spirit causes that feeling. I have also known some in my past life, who have said, that they did not desire to have their wives bear any children, and some even take measures to prevent it; there are a few such persons in this Church. When I see a man in this Church with those feelings, and hear him say '"I do not wish to enlarge my family, because it will bring care upon me,'" I conclude that he has more or less of the old sectarian leaven about him, and that he does not understand the glory of the celestial kingdom. ... It is not through lust that men and women are to practise this doctrine, but it is to be observed upon righteous principles; and, if men and women would pay attention to those instructions, I would promise, in the name of the Lord, that you would never find them lustful in their dispositions, and you might watch them as closely as you pleased. Plurality of wives is not designed to afflict you nor me, but is purposed for our exaltation in the kingdoms of God. If
any man had asked me what was my choice when Joseph revealed that doctrine, provided that it would not diminish my glory, I would have said, '"Let me have but one wife;'" not because it is not a great comfort to me to have children, but if I have not children I know them not. Some of these my brethren know what my feelings were at the time Joseph revealed the doctrine; I was not desirous of shrinking from any duty, nor of failing in the least to do as I was commanded, but it was the first time in my life that I had desired the grave, and I could hardly get over it for a long time. And when I saw a funeral, I felt to envy the corpse its situation, and to regret that I was not in the coffin, knowing the toil and labor that my body would have to undergo; and I have had to examine myself, from that day to this, and watch my faith, and carefully meditate, lest I should be found desiring the grave more than I ought to do. You will probably wonder at this, and that such should have been
my feelings upon this point, but they were even so. Now if any of you will deny the plurality of wives, and continue to do so, I promise that you will be damned; ...
[Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 3:264-268, 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]
I have a few words to say concerning one item of doctrine, that I seldom think of mentioning before a public congregation; I refer to the doctrine pertaining to raising up a royal Priesthood to the name of Israel's God, for which purpose the revelation was given to Joseph, concerning the right of faithful Elders, in taking to themselves more than one wife. I frequently hear from others that this doctrine is laughed at and ridiculed; I heard yesterday of its being laughed out of doors, even jeered and sneered out of a Bishop's house. I am not personally cognizant of any one jeering at and deriding this doctrine; still, I hear that there are some few who are opposed to it. Once in a while sentiments reach my ears which sound very curious and strange, and when I hear them, I do really wish that some were possessed of better sense; I will, therefore, tell you a few things that you should know. God never introduced the Patriarchal order of marriage with a view to please man in his
carnal desires, nor to punish females for anything which they had done; but He introduced it for the express purpose of raising up to His name a royal Priesthood, a peculiar people. Do we not see the benefit of it? Yes, we have lived long enough to realize its advantages. Suppose that I had had the privilege of having only one wife, I should have had only three sons, for those are all that my first wife bore, whereas, I now have buried five sons, and have thirteen living. It is obvious that I could not have been blessed with such a family, if I had been restricted to one wife, but, by the introduction of this law, I can be the instrument in preparing tabernacles for those spirits which have to come in this dispensation. Under this law, I and my brethren are preparing tabernacles for those spirits which have been preserved to enter into bodies of honor, and be taught the pure principles of life and salvation, and those tabernacles will grow up and become mighty in the kingdom of our
God. ... This law was never given of the Lord for any but his faithful children; it is not for the ungodly at all; no man has a right to a wife, or wives, unless he honors his Priesthood and magnifies his calling before God. I foresaw, when Joseph first made known this doctrine, that it would be a trial, and a source of great care and anxiety to the brethren, and what of that? We are to gird up our loins and fulfil this, just as we would any other duty. (High wind and clouds of dust prevented speaking for several seconds.) It has been strenuously urged by many, that this doctrine was introduced through lust, but that is a gross misrepresentation. (A thick cloud of dust prevented speaking for about two minutes.) This revelation, which God gave to Joseph, was for the express purpose of providing a channel for the organization of tabernacles... I know quite a number of men in this Church who will not take any more women, because they do not wish to take care of them; a contracted
spirit causes that feeling. I have also known some in my past life, who have said, that they did not desire to have their wives bear any children, and some even take measures to prevent it; there are a few such persons in this Church. When I see a man in this Church with those feelings, and hear him say '"I do not wish to enlarge my family, because it will bring care upon me,'" I conclude that he has more or less of the old sectarian leaven about him, and that he does not understand the glory of the celestial kingdom. ... It is not through lust that men and women are to practise this doctrine, but it is to be observed upon righteous principles; and, if men and women would pay attention to those instructions, I would promise, in the name of the Lord, that you would never find them lustful in their dispositions, and you might watch them as closely as you pleased. Plurality of wives is not designed to afflict you nor me, but is purposed for our exaltation in the kingdoms of God. If
any man had asked me what was my choice when Joseph revealed that doctrine, provided that it would not diminish my glory, I would have said, '"Let me have but one wife;'" not because it is not a great comfort to me to have children, but if I have not children I know them not. Some of these my brethren know what my feelings were at the time Joseph revealed the doctrine; I was not desirous of shrinking from any duty, nor of failing in the least to do as I was commanded, but it was the first time in my life that I had desired the grave, and I could hardly get over it for a long time. And when I saw a funeral, I felt to envy the corpse its situation, and to regret that I was not in the coffin, knowing the toil and labor that my body would have to undergo; and I have had to examine myself, from that day to this, and watch my faith, and carefully meditate, lest I should be found desiring the grave more than I ought to do. You will probably wonder at this, and that such should have been
my feelings upon this point, but they were even so. Now if any of you will deny the plurality of wives, and continue to do so, I promise that you will be damned; ...
[Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 3:264-268, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
175 years ago today - Jul 14, 1850 (Morning)
[Brigham Young]
I am a phrenologist and can tell a man by looking at him - and it is the big soul a little soul ...
[Thomas Bullock Minutes, 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]
I am a phrenologist and can tell a man by looking at him - and it is the big soul a little soul ...
[Thomas Bullock Minutes, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
175 years ago today - Jul 14, 1850 (Afternoon)
[Brigham Young]
When Brother Snow sat down I felt like getting up to shout hallelujah ...
[Thomas Bullock Minutes, 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 Brother Snow sat down I felt like getting up to shout hallelujah ...
[Thomas Bullock Minutes, 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 - Jul 14, 1845
[Patriarchal Blessing of African American Joseph T. Ball given by William Smith] ... when thy name is enrolled with the house of Israel upon sacred Records deposited in the archives of the temple, as a memorial and a testimony of thy faithfulness and good works the names of thine enemies shall be forgotten forever, & their moral worth shall not be counted... the powers and blessings of the holy Priesthood are upon thine head after the order of Melchisedec even ordained a High Priest by the Spirit of Revelation from under my hands which is again confirmed by the same authority and sealed on earth & Ratified in heaven, and no power under the heaven shall take it from thee, for upon thine head has been ordained this authority & power from before the foundation of the world, and the purposes of God shall never fail, for unto Joseph[']s remnants in this last dispensation has the blessing of the Holy Priesthood been handed down and thou art of that Royal Stock, to whom the
blessings and promises were made ... high and lifted up shall be thy throne, beautiful and exalted shall be thy mansion of glory, and into it shall be gathered all nations, who are of the labors of thy ministry, & of the fruits of thine own loins, and as a king and a mighty prince shalt thou reign and rule over many even ten kingdoms ... thou shalt be called to a mighty Prophet a minister of peace & righteousness, for by Revelation shalt thou speak and by the power of the Holy Ghost thou shalt make known the great mysteries of the kingdom, and the Salvation of Israel[']s God to a dying world & many shall be gathered and saved in the kingdom by thy labors with thee for I seal all this blessing upon thy head with all the blessings of the Spiritual kingdom and a Salvation that is after the power of an endless life in the name of Jesus Christ Amen
[Patriarchal Blessings]
blessings and promises were made ... high and lifted up shall be thy throne, beautiful and exalted shall be thy mansion of glory, and into it shall be gathered all nations, who are of the labors of thy ministry, & of the fruits of thine own loins, and as a king and a mighty prince shalt thou reign and rule over many even ten kingdoms ... thou shalt be called to a mighty Prophet a minister of peace & righteousness, for by Revelation shalt thou speak and by the power of the Holy Ghost thou shalt make known the great mysteries of the kingdom, and the Salvation of Israel[']s God to a dying world & many shall be gathered and saved in the kingdom by thy labors with thee for I seal all this blessing upon thy head with all the blessings of the Spiritual kingdom and a Salvation that is after the power of an endless life in the name of Jesus Christ Amen
[Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - Jul 14, 1845
Patriarchal Blessing of Richard Simcock given by William Smith on ... thou shalt live to a good old age to see the glory of God and the final exaltation of the Saints, and in peace shalt thou walk the streets of Zion, and triumph over all thine enemies, and all they of thy household shall be in subjection to thy law and great shall be their reward, for thou shalt preside over them, and ovover many in the kingdom of immortal glory, none of this blessing shall fail, but shall all be fulfilled for I seal it upon thy head with all the blessings of the spiritual kingdom, powers an[d] privileges of the holy Priesthood, by the authority of the office of Patriarch and in the name of Jesus christ Even so Amen.
[Patriarchal Blessings]
[Patriarchal Blessings]
190 years ago today - about Jul 14, 1835
Kirtland, Ohio. Joseph Smith was continually engaged in translating the book of Abraham and arranging a grammar of the Egyptian language as practiced by the ancients.
[BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
[BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
190 years ago today - Jul 14, 1835
Edmund Bosley is excommunicated for failing to raise $2,000 as promised.
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
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