At a general meeting of the LDS Relief Society, the First Presidency and Twelve issue the "Proclamation on the Family" including the statement: "We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife." It concludes: "We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society." Aside from this statement's usefulness in LDS campaign against the legalization of same-sex marriages in Hawaii, the hierarchy's repeated emphasis on the importance of its being a "proclamation" suggests that this announcement will one day be presented for the sustaining vote of the general conference and added as a numbered document in the Doctrine and Covenants. However, the change in the wording of President Packer's 2010 conference talk, where the proclamation was origianlly
called a 'revelation' but was changed to a 'guide' might indicate that canonization isn't inevitable.
[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
120 years ago today - Sep 23, 1905; Saturday
[John W. Taylor:] Speaking of Pres[ident]. [Joseph F.] Smiths answers to questions at Washington [D.C. (Smoot Hearings)], said that Pres[ident]. Smith was by odds the best witness and had no chance to properly explain many things ask[ed] of him and any person denouncing him as having born false evidence should be handled for their fellowship. It is none of their business what goes on in other nations. Much expense and inconvenience has been gone into in order to honor the nations & keep their laws. I am not one to get worked up over the brethren & things said about them. The Lord is directing this work and it will prevail.
A great many persons are filling their mission as liars and scandle mongers but do not let them sway you in any way....
When you see the children of those in high authority dropping away, you can depend that it will fall in other places.
People who get the big head soon die in this church. Keep in a normal state in your faith, support the authorities of this Church in the hour of opposition. Protect your brethren and do your duty. To betray the brethren of this Church is a serious matter.
I have entered into Eternal engagements in my family affairs and feel proud that I have twenty three children.
I would not give one of my children for all the politic in the world. Dont worship Satan nor love liars or their works.
[Taylor (Canada) Stake Record of High Council and General Priesthood Meetings, excerpts in Quinn Papers, original in LDS Archives]
A great many persons are filling their mission as liars and scandle mongers but do not let them sway you in any way....
When you see the children of those in high authority dropping away, you can depend that it will fall in other places.
People who get the big head soon die in this church. Keep in a normal state in your faith, support the authorities of this Church in the hour of opposition. Protect your brethren and do your duty. To betray the brethren of this Church is a serious matter.
I have entered into Eternal engagements in my family affairs and feel proud that I have twenty three children.
I would not give one of my children for all the politic in the world. Dont worship Satan nor love liars or their works.
[Taylor (Canada) Stake Record of High Council and General Priesthood Meetings, excerpts in Quinn Papers, original in LDS Archives]
165 years ago today - Sep 23, 1860 (Evening)
The subject of Orson Pratt Came up again Concerning his false doctrine. President Kimball wished him to make satisfaction to President Young But President Young said he did not wish him to make any acknowledgements to him. Brother Pratt was strangely Constituted. He had acquired a good deal of knowledge upon many things but in other things He was one of the most ignorant men he ever saw in his life. He was full of integrity & would lie down & have his head Cut off for me or his religion if necessary but he will never see his Error until he goes into the spirit world. Then he will say Brother Brigham how foolish I was. Now Brother Pratt thinks that he and all the Gods will be learning for many millions of years but by & by will know all things & all will know it alike & that will be the End of their Exaltations & knowledge. ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal. 9 Vols. Scott G. Kenney, ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1983-85. 5:506-507 in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal. 9 Vols. Scott G. Kenney, ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1983-85. 5:506-507 in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
165 years ago today - Sep 23, 1860 (Evening)
Pres. Young spoke very comforting words to the Twelve. He said his love for them was far above that of woman's -- Salt Lake City
[Journal History of the Church, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Journal History of the Church, 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 - Sep 23, 1855
Apostle George A. Smith preaches that Mohammed "was no doubt raised up by God on purpose to scourge the world for their idolatry." He states that Mohammed had, "cautioned his people not to drink wine, or in other words, he had given them a 'word of wisdom.'" He gives a history of Islam and states "I relate this to show you what religious zeal will accomplish." Parley P. Pratt follows Smith and preaches: "Now, if we take Mohammedanism [Islam] during those dark ages, and the corruptions that are so universally prevalent over the earth, and the idolatrous systems of religion, falsely called Christianity, and weigh them in a balance; with all my education in favor of Christian nations and Christian powers, and Christian institutions, so called, with all my prejudices of early youth, and habits of thought and reading, my rational faculties would compel me to admit that the Mahometan history and Mahometan doctrine was a standard raised against the most corrupt and abominable idolatry
that over perverted our earth, found in the creeds and worship of Christians, falsely so named."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
that over perverted our earth, found in the creeds and worship of Christians, falsely so named."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
170 years ago today - Sep 23, 1855 (Sunday)
James W. Hunt, Wm. Behunin and Edward Edwards, of the Elk Mountain mission, were killed by Indians, who also wounded Pres. Alfred N. Billings, besides burning hay and stealing cattle. The following day the colonists left their fort and started for Manti, where they arrived Sept. 30th.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
170 years ago today - Sep 23, 1855 (Evening)
[Brigham Young]
If Christ is our elder brother and Adam's Son, he must be half brother or half uncle...Did you ever think that Adam had power to eat the forbidden fruit, and then redeem himself? God had power to beget a child in the womb of the Virgin Mary - he was begotten of his Father without falling but of his mother he partook of death and had to die. Jesus Christ's advantage, he had power to lay down his life and take it up again because power was given to him to redeem the human family. He was the Son of his Father. -- Salt Lake City
[Leonard J. Arrington Papers, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
If Christ is our elder brother and Adam's Son, he must be half brother or half uncle...Did you ever think that Adam had power to eat the forbidden fruit, and then redeem himself? God had power to beget a child in the womb of the Virgin Mary - he was begotten of his Father without falling but of his mother he partook of death and had to die. Jesus Christ's advantage, he had power to lay down his life and take it up again because power was given to him to redeem the human family. He was the Son of his Father. -- Salt Lake City
[Leonard J. Arrington Papers, 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 - 1845 23 Sept.
A non-Mormon at Warsaw, Illinois, writes that "a young man by the name of McBracking" died after Mormons found him trying to burn their homes at Morley's settlement: "after shooting him in two or three places they cut his throat from ear to ear, stabbed him through the heart, cut off one ear & horribly mutilated [castrated] other parts of his body." Friends discover his corpse.
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
190 years ago today - Sep 23, 1835
[Wilford Woodruff]
Br Utley ... had Just returned from Kirtland he brought me A letter from W Parish also A Book Containing the doctrins & Covenants of the Church of the Latter Day Saints as A Present from O Cowdery.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Br Utley ... had Just returned from Kirtland he brought me A letter from W Parish also A Book Containing the doctrins & Covenants of the Church of the Latter Day Saints as A Present from O Cowdery.
[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 - Sep 23, 1835
[Joseph Smith]
My heart is full of desire to day, to /be/ blessed of the God of Abraham with prosperity untill I will be able to pay all my depts [debts]. For it is /the/ delight of my soul to /be/ honest. Oh Lord that thou knowes[t] right well! Help me and I will give to the poor.
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1835-36, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
My heart is full of desire to day, to /be/ blessed of the God of Abraham with prosperity untill I will be able to pay all my depts [debts]. For it is /the/ delight of my soul to /be/ honest. Oh Lord that thou knowes[t] right well! Help me and I will give to the poor.
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1835-36, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
10 years ago today - 2015 September 22
LDS apostle Richard G. Scott dies at 86, leaving three vacancies in the quorum for the first time since 1906.
[Wikipedia, 21st Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_century_(Mormonism)]
[Wikipedia, 21st Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_century_(Mormonism)]
115 years ago today - Sep 22, 1910; Thursday
[George F. Richards]
At our Council meeting I asked permission to become a director in the Utah Implement Co[mpany] to which all consented saying there could be no objection to such action and that several of the members of our Council and the presidency are members of one or more business company boards.
[George F. Richards, Diary]
At our Council meeting I asked permission to become a director in the Utah Implement Co[mpany] to which all consented saying there could be no objection to such action and that several of the members of our Council and the presidency are members of one or more business company boards.
[George F. Richards, Diary]
125 years ago today - Sep 22, 1900
[Brigham Young Jr.]
Called upon Bro[ther]. B[enjamin]. F. Johnson who seems to be getting his eysight again. Advised him to begin to labor in the ministry as it the only way I know of to get his wives back again. Poor old man not a wife that will come near him in his forlorn condition.
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Called upon Bro[ther]. B[enjamin]. F. Johnson who seems to be getting his eysight again. Advised him to begin to labor in the ministry as it the only way I know of to get his wives back again. Poor old man not a wife that will come near him in his forlorn condition.
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
135 years ago today - Sep 22, 1890
[George Q. Cannon]
Brothers F[ranklin]. S. Richards and C[harles]. W. Penrose came in this morning and had a lengthy conversation with the First Presidency concerning the political situation and the report of the Utah Commission. The report was evidently handed by the Commission to the 'Tribune' people in this city for the latter to publish what they call a synopsis of the Report. It is said to be the most damaging Report ever made. They have accused us of teaching polygamyand encouraging people in its practice, and since June 1889, there have been at least 45 plural marriages contracted in this Territory. I felt considerably stirred up over this, and thought that there should be a square denial, and I remarked that perhaps no better chance had been offered to us to officially, as leaders of the Church, make public our views concerning the doctrine and the law that had been enacted. It is evident from that which is being done by our enemies that they are determined, now that Congress is 551 so near
its adjournment, to bring pressure to bear from the enactment of some bills pending before it.
[George Q. Cannon 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]
Brothers F[ranklin]. S. Richards and C[harles]. W. Penrose came in this morning and had a lengthy conversation with the First Presidency concerning the political situation and the report of the Utah Commission. The report was evidently handed by the Commission to the 'Tribune' people in this city for the latter to publish what they call a synopsis of the Report. It is said to be the most damaging Report ever made. They have accused us of teaching polygamyand encouraging people in its practice, and since June 1889, there have been at least 45 plural marriages contracted in this Territory. I felt considerably stirred up over this, and thought that there should be a square denial, and I remarked that perhaps no better chance had been offered to us to officially, as leaders of the Church, make public our views concerning the doctrine and the law that had been enacted. It is evident from that which is being done by our enemies that they are determined, now that Congress is 551 so near
its adjournment, to bring pressure to bear from the enactment of some bills pending before it.
[George Q. Cannon Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
145 years ago today - Sep 22, 1880
Patriarchal Blessing of Mary E. Lightner [polyamdrous wife of Joseph Smith & Brigham Young] given by Levi Hancock ... as the Spirit of the Lord God of Joseph the Prophet, will suggest to my mind to seal upon thee ... thy Fathers have Prayed for thee, which were among th[e] Prophets, when they sought for Blessings to rest upon their children, the Lord answered them to the - of their hearts, that they should be remembered forever in the last days, thou did'st agree to come and take thy chances, among the Daughters of Israel and assist the Sons of the Prophets to establish upon the Earth ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
[Patriarchal Blessings]
160 years ago today - Sep 22, 1865
Presidet B Young 13 Minuts. He said that this people are the best people that Ever dwelt upon the Earth. They have advanced far more in the same time than the people of Enoch did. G Q Cannon dismissed.
[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]
160 years ago today - Sep 22, 1865 (Friday)
Captain Miner G, Atwood's company of immigrating Saints was attacked by Indians west of Fort Laramie. Several of the brethren were wounded and one woman (Mrs. Grundtvig) carried away by the savages.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
165 years ago today - Sep 22, 1860
[Brigham Young]
The Lord don't care a groat about a man's being drunk, it is us and the weak who stumble over his [weaknesses] and go to hell, and we have to tie the threads up. God don't care a groat about a man's getting drunk, it is the weak who stumble over into hell over them, and we have to tie the threads up'- It is the imperative duty of all who have means to go and cloth themselves, and like Paul be chargeable to no one, and if you get money without begging, take it [before] the people. The people have subscribed liberally, seems as though the bottom fell out. -- SLC Seventies Hall
[General Church Minutes, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
The Lord don't care a groat about a man's being drunk, it is us and the weak who stumble over his [weaknesses] and go to hell, and we have to tie the threads up. God don't care a groat about a man's getting drunk, it is the weak who stumble over into hell over them, and we have to tie the threads up'- It is the imperative duty of all who have means to go and cloth themselves, and like Paul be chargeable to no one, and if you get money without begging, take it [before] the people. The people have subscribed liberally, seems as though the bottom fell out. -- SLC Seventies Hall
[General Church Minutes, 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 - Sep 22, 1850 (Afternoon)
[Brigham Young]
.... I have no fault to find, in killing the Indians - when they will tear down the fences, destroy the grain - I will not have it from whites, or the red man - my feelings are exquisite - death on the mobocrat ...
[Thomas Bullock Minutes, 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 no fault to find, in killing the Indians - when they will tear down the fences, destroy the grain - I will not have it from whites, or the red man - my feelings are exquisite - death on the mobocrat ...
[Thomas Bullock Minutes, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
190 years ago today - Sep 22, 1835
[Patriarchal]
Blessing for John Corrill by Joseph Smith Jr. on September 22, 1835... his name shall be had in remembrance and be known among all nations; and it shall be said of him among governors, rulers and kings: This man reared the temple of God in Zion. And he shall be reverenced because of his great sagacity. His life shall be prolonged until he is very old. He shall be accounted among the wise counsellors of Israel, and he shall hear the voice of the Lord his God, and receive counsel by the ministering of angels; and shall be very terrible unto his enemies, and his soul shall be satisfied in seeing the wrath of God poured out upon them to the uttermost. ...
[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:14, in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
Blessing for John Corrill by Joseph Smith Jr. on September 22, 1835... his name shall be had in remembrance and be known among all nations; and it shall be said of him among governors, rulers and kings: This man reared the temple of God in Zion. And he shall be reverenced because of his great sagacity. His life shall be prolonged until he is very old. He shall be accounted among the wise counsellors of Israel, and he shall hear the voice of the Lord his God, and receive counsel by the ministering of angels; and shall be very terrible unto his enemies, and his soul shall be satisfied in seeing the wrath of God poured out upon them to the uttermost. ...
[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:14, in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
190 years ago today - Sep 22, 1835
[Patriarchal]
Blessing for David Whitmer by Joseph Smith Jr. ... He shall yet stand upon the land of Zion, from whence he has been driven, and shall find inheritance there, and shall be a ruler in Zion until he is old and well stricken in years. ... his testimony shall shine as fair as the Sun, and as a diamond it shall remain untarnished. There shall not be spot upon his character while he lives, neither upon his seed after him unto the latest posterity. ... Given like the foregoing blessings, by vision, to Joseph Smith, Jr. the Seer, September 22, 1835, and recorded Oct. 2, 1835.
[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:13-14, in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
Blessing for David Whitmer by Joseph Smith Jr. ... He shall yet stand upon the land of Zion, from whence he has been driven, and shall find inheritance there, and shall be a ruler in Zion until he is old and well stricken in years. ... his testimony shall shine as fair as the Sun, and as a diamond it shall remain untarnished. There shall not be spot upon his character while he lives, neither upon his seed after him unto the latest posterity. ... Given like the foregoing blessings, by vision, to Joseph Smith, Jr. the Seer, September 22, 1835, and recorded Oct. 2, 1835.
[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:13-14, in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
190 years ago today - 1835: 22 September
Vision to Oliver concerning Joseph Smith, Jr....
Blessed of the Lord is my brother for the integrity of his heart and the steadfastness of his soul. Upheld by the aim of the Almighty, he shall never fall, but shall be strengthened by his right hand till he overcomes. Like Jacob of old he shall wrestle with the angel, and as a prince shall he have power with God, and shall prevail. Ever faithful to his friends and true to his word, the goodness of the Most High shall sustain him, and thousands shall stand up to defend him from the hand of his enemies... ... From amid the burning bush, like Moses of old, shall he hear the voice, saying, I am the God of thy fathers ... In due time, shall he go forth toward the north, and by the power of his word shall the deep begin to give way and the ice melt before the sun. By the keys of the Kingdom shall he lead Israel into the land of Zion ... his feet shall be swift to execute the commandment of the Most High when he shall say, Destroy. His name shall be had in everlasting
remembrance, and his seed often before they shall be saved to the uttermost. ... In palaces of governors, rulers and kings shall he be honored, even in his person... He shall partake of ... the chief things of the ancient mountains, the precious things that couch beneath, and of the treasures hid in the sand. The record of past ages and generations, and the histories of ancient days shall he bring forth: even the record of the Nephites shall he again obtain, with all those hid up by Mormon, and others who were righteous, and many others, till he is overwhelmed with knowledge. ... In his hands shall the Urim and Thummim remain and the holy ministry, and the keys of the evangelical priesthood, also, for an everlasting priesthood forever, even the patriarchal; for behold he is the first patriarch in the last days. He shall sit in the great assembly and general council of patriarchs, and execute the will and commandment of God under the direction of the Ancient of Days...
Multitudes, multitudes, shall come to acknowledge of the truth through his ministry, and he shall be welcomed into the presence of Kings and the great ones of the earth, for he shall claim his place among the nobles of the earth and shall be reverenced by them. He shall also be filled with abundance of the fat of the earth: his flocks shall bring forth thousands and tens of thousands: his fats [sic] shall overflow with wine and oil: his cattle shall increase to a multitude: he shall have horses and mules, asses, she asses and dromedaries, camels and elephants, and all swift beasts, and when he goes forth in haste his chariots shall roar like the approach of an army: he shall have gold and silver, precious stones, diamonds, pearls, and the pure platina, with the antiquities of every kind. Thus shall God bless, and thus shall he be prospered: and he shall have peace after a little; for his enemies shall be consumed, many of them, and many shall turn and be his friends in very deed:
he shall remain to a good old age, even till his head is like the pure wool. ... Thus closes the vision, and thus it shall be; even so. Amen...."
[Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
Blessed of the Lord is my brother for the integrity of his heart and the steadfastness of his soul. Upheld by the aim of the Almighty, he shall never fall, but shall be strengthened by his right hand till he overcomes. Like Jacob of old he shall wrestle with the angel, and as a prince shall he have power with God, and shall prevail. Ever faithful to his friends and true to his word, the goodness of the Most High shall sustain him, and thousands shall stand up to defend him from the hand of his enemies... ... From amid the burning bush, like Moses of old, shall he hear the voice, saying, I am the God of thy fathers ... In due time, shall he go forth toward the north, and by the power of his word shall the deep begin to give way and the ice melt before the sun. By the keys of the Kingdom shall he lead Israel into the land of Zion ... his feet shall be swift to execute the commandment of the Most High when he shall say, Destroy. His name shall be had in everlasting
remembrance, and his seed often before they shall be saved to the uttermost. ... In palaces of governors, rulers and kings shall he be honored, even in his person... He shall partake of ... the chief things of the ancient mountains, the precious things that couch beneath, and of the treasures hid in the sand. The record of past ages and generations, and the histories of ancient days shall he bring forth: even the record of the Nephites shall he again obtain, with all those hid up by Mormon, and others who were righteous, and many others, till he is overwhelmed with knowledge. ... In his hands shall the Urim and Thummim remain and the holy ministry, and the keys of the evangelical priesthood, also, for an everlasting priesthood forever, even the patriarchal; for behold he is the first patriarch in the last days. He shall sit in the great assembly and general council of patriarchs, and execute the will and commandment of God under the direction of the Ancient of Days...
Multitudes, multitudes, shall come to acknowledge of the truth through his ministry, and he shall be welcomed into the presence of Kings and the great ones of the earth, for he shall claim his place among the nobles of the earth and shall be reverenced by them. He shall also be filled with abundance of the fat of the earth: his flocks shall bring forth thousands and tens of thousands: his fats [sic] shall overflow with wine and oil: his cattle shall increase to a multitude: he shall have horses and mules, asses, she asses and dromedaries, camels and elephants, and all swift beasts, and when he goes forth in haste his chariots shall roar like the approach of an army: he shall have gold and silver, precious stones, diamonds, pearls, and the pure platina, with the antiquities of every kind. Thus shall God bless, and thus shall he be prospered: and he shall have peace after a little; for his enemies shall be consumed, many of them, and many shall turn and be his friends in very deed:
he shall remain to a good old age, even till his head is like the pure wool. ... Thus closes the vision, and thus it shall be; even so. Amen...."
[Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
200 years ago today - Sep 22, 1825
Joseph Smith visits Cumorah and returns empty handed. Prior to this date, Smith had selected Samuel T. Lawrence as the "right person", and either Smith changed his mind and visited Cumorah alone, or brought Lawrence to the hill but the angel failed to appear. .
[Quinn 1998, p. 162; Anderson 2001, chronology; Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
[Quinn 1998, p. 162; Anderson 2001, chronology; Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
60 years ago today - Sep 21, 1965
The First Presidency establishes a missionary quota in the United States, limiting the number of those serving to two per ward to comply with U.S. Selective Service rules during the Vietnam War.
65 years ago today - Sep 21, 1960
[David O. McKay Office Journal]
While at my apartment at the Hotel, talked to Ezra Taft Beneon in Washington, D.C. Told him that we do not want him to enter the political campaigns this Fall. [Some had urged him to run for governer of Utah]
[McKay, David O., Office Journal]
While at my apartment at the Hotel, talked to Ezra Taft Beneon in Washington, D.C. Told him that we do not want him to enter the political campaigns this Fall. [Some had urged him to run for governer of Utah]
[McKay, David O., Office Journal]
70 years ago today - Sep 21, 1955
Joel F. LeBaron incorporates the Church of the Firstborn of the Fulness of Times, the only Mormon Fundamentalist group to aggressively proselytize.
[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)]]
90 years ago today - Sep 21, 1935
[David O. McKay]
You state in your letter that you 'have been going with girl for the past two years whose mother and your grandmother are half sisters, both having the same father,' and you ask my opinion as to the advisability of your marrying.
Of course you understand that the laws of Utah prohibit first cousins from marrying. The Church however, has made no ruling against such unions. One of my dearest friends, a leading man in the Stat of Utah, married his first cousin and has reared one of the choicest families in the State' they excel in intellectuality and in moral character.
[David O. McKay, Letter to Darrel L. Crane, 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]
You state in your letter that you 'have been going with girl for the past two years whose mother and your grandmother are half sisters, both having the same father,' and you ask my opinion as to the advisability of your marrying.
Of course you understand that the laws of Utah prohibit first cousins from marrying. The Church however, has made no ruling against such unions. One of my dearest friends, a leading man in the Stat of Utah, married his first cousin and has reared one of the choicest families in the State' they excel in intellectuality and in moral character.
[David O. McKay, Letter to Darrel L. Crane, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
130 years ago today - Sep 21, 1895
[Francis M. Lyman]
[Bunkerville] Bro[ther]s Dudly Leavitt and Nephi Johnson were in the meeting. I talked with those two about the Mountain Meadows Massacre. The first gave me but little information. Bro[ther] Johnson was the man who gave the word to the Indians to fire at the last general killing. He denies that Higby and White did the killing that Adair tells of. He says white men did most of the killing. He says Kirby deserves mercy.
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Bunkerville] Bro[ther]s Dudly Leavitt and Nephi Johnson were in the meeting. I talked with those two about the Mountain Meadows Massacre. The first gave me but little information. Bro[ther] Johnson was the man who gave the word to the Indians to fire at the last general killing. He denies that Higby and White did the killing that Adair tells of. He says white men did most of the killing. He says Kirby deserves mercy.
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
140 years ago today - Sep 21, 1885
[Wilford Woodruff]
21 I have felt for several years that there was a Change coming over Zion & over our Nation & the world at large. I have spoken of it in public in several instances and it has Commenced. The United States Government has sent Judges & Marshals to Utah to prosicute all the Mormons they Can for Poligamy & Cohabitation with their own wives and they have turned it more into persecution than prosecution untill our prisions are Crouded with the Leading Men of the Church. All the Leading Men are Either in prision or Exhile. All of the 3 first presidency are hid up & myself & the Twelve Apostles are in Exhile and many other leading men of the Church. And the United States Government with the Editors & Priest are laboring to destroy the Saints of God. We shall see.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
21 I have felt for several years that there was a Change coming over Zion & over our Nation & the world at large. I have spoken of it in public in several instances and it has Commenced. The United States Government has sent Judges & Marshals to Utah to prosicute all the Mormons they Can for Poligamy & Cohabitation with their own wives and they have turned it more into persecution than prosecution untill our prisions are Crouded with the Leading Men of the Church. All the Leading Men are Either in prision or Exhile. All of the 3 first presidency are hid up & myself & the Twelve Apostles are in Exhile and many other leading men of the Church. And the United States Government with the Editors & Priest are laboring to destroy the Saints of God. We shall see.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Sep 21, 1845
.... Mrs Woodruff was more composed concerning the death of her Mother & slep comfortible during the night. We had both dreamed of loosing teath which is generally a sign of a death of some friend.
[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]
185 years ago today - Sep 21, 1840. Monday.
[William Clayton]
Good sail. At night Elder Turley spoke considerable on cleanliness and afterwards went round the births to see if all the company undressed. Some was found with their cloths on and some had never pulled their cloths off since they came on deck but had done their dirt in their cloths. Others had dirt in the corner of their birth. This made the most awful smell when discovered almost to much to bear. Elder Turley undressed and washed them and ordered the place cleaned out. [Some of the company] are filthy indeed.
[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]
Good sail. At night Elder Turley spoke considerable on cleanliness and afterwards went round the births to see if all the company undressed. Some was found with their cloths on and some had never pulled their cloths off since they came on deck but had done their dirt in their cloths. Others had dirt in the corner of their birth. This made the most awful smell when discovered almost to much to bear. Elder Turley undressed and washed them and ordered the place cleaned out. [Some of the company] are filthy indeed.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
185 years ago today - 1840: 21 September
[Patriarchal Blessing]
John C. Bennett. (Given by Hyrum Smith.) ... Thy name shall be known in many nations, and thy voice shall be heard among many people. Yea, unto many of the remnants of Israel shalt thou be known, and when they shall bear of thy coming they shall rejoice, and thou shalt proclaim the gospel unto many tribes of the house of Israel.
If thou shouldst step aside from the path of rectitude at any time because of temptation, the Lord shall call after thee, because of the integrity of thine heart, and thou shalt return to the path from whence thou hast strayed...
God is with thee, and has wrought upon thy heart to come up to this place... Turn not aside from the truth for the popularity of the world; but be like Paul. ... If thou continue faithful and steadfast in the Everlasting Covenant, thou shalt have power over the winds and the waves, and they shall obey thy voice when thou shalt speak in the name of Jesus Christ.
The power of God shall shield thee while thou art laboring for Zion. Thou shalt outride the storm of adversity with patience, and shalt be crowned with immortality in the Celestial Kingdom, when Christ shall descend. Even so, Amen."
[The History of the Saints, or an Expose of Joe Smith and Mormonism, Boston: Leland & Whiting, 1842; pp. 42-44, in Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
John C. Bennett. (Given by Hyrum Smith.) ... Thy name shall be known in many nations, and thy voice shall be heard among many people. Yea, unto many of the remnants of Israel shalt thou be known, and when they shall bear of thy coming they shall rejoice, and thou shalt proclaim the gospel unto many tribes of the house of Israel.
If thou shouldst step aside from the path of rectitude at any time because of temptation, the Lord shall call after thee, because of the integrity of thine heart, and thou shalt return to the path from whence thou hast strayed...
God is with thee, and has wrought upon thy heart to come up to this place... Turn not aside from the truth for the popularity of the world; but be like Paul. ... If thou continue faithful and steadfast in the Everlasting Covenant, thou shalt have power over the winds and the waves, and they shall obey thy voice when thou shalt speak in the name of Jesus Christ.
The power of God shall shield thee while thou art laboring for Zion. Thou shalt outride the storm of adversity with patience, and shalt be crowned with immortality in the Celestial Kingdom, when Christ shall descend. Even so, Amen."
[The History of the Saints, or an Expose of Joe Smith and Mormonism, Boston: Leland & Whiting, 1842; pp. 42-44, in Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
195 years ago today - Sep 21, 1830
In the presence of six elders, Joseph Smith received D&C 29, a revelation concerning the Millennium.
[Joseph Smith Resource Center: Daily Events in the Life of Joseph Smith, http://josephsmith.net/josephsmith/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e581001cfb340010VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRDlocale=0]
[Joseph Smith Resource Center: Daily Events in the Life of Joseph Smith, http://josephsmith.net/josephsmith/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e581001cfb340010VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRDlocale=0]
35 years ago today - Sep 20, 1990
Bookcraft, Inc. releases Gerald N. Lund's first volume in the historical novel series The Work and the Glory. The series sells more than a million copies, becoming one of the most successful ventures in Church publication history.
75 years ago today - Sep 20, 1950
[George Albert Smith]
"LeRoy Snow came to see Arthur about Brother Romney writing the story of his father's lifePresident Lorenzo Snow. I instructed Arthur to have LeRoy see me at some time so that I could talk with him concerning this matter.. I am sure that there is some phase of the book that Roy might like to include which would be inadvisable."
[Journals of George Albert Smith]
"LeRoy Snow came to see Arthur about Brother Romney writing the story of his father's lifePresident Lorenzo Snow. I instructed Arthur to have LeRoy see me at some time so that I could talk with him concerning this matter.. I am sure that there is some phase of the book that Roy might like to include which would be inadvisable."
[Journals of George Albert Smith]
80 years ago today - Sep 20, 1945
[Marion G. Romney]
Submitted to President Clark a report showing that between the first and last of 1945, we will have distributed in Salt Lake County about $160,000.00 worth of commodities through the Welfare Program. He wanted this information in connection with the request for a contribution made of the First Presidency by the Community Chest.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015, Appendix 2, The Diaries of Marion G. Romney, 1941-1961, Abridged]
Submitted to President Clark a report showing that between the first and last of 1945, we will have distributed in Salt Lake County about $160,000.00 worth of commodities through the Welfare Program. He wanted this information in connection with the request for a contribution made of the First Presidency by the Community Chest.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015, Appendix 2, The Diaries of Marion G. Romney, 1941-1961, Abridged]
90 years ago today - Sep 20, 1935
[Heber J. Grant]
I had a burning ambition, when I was a young man, to obtain an education, but left school at the age of fifteen, and went to work in order to support my widowed mother. I was offered a cadetship at the Naval Academy, and it nearly broke my heart to refuse the offer, but I said: 'Mother, I am going to stay home and take care of you.' The dream of my life was to get an education.
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Mr. C. F. Steed, 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]
I had a burning ambition, when I was a young man, to obtain an education, but left school at the age of fifteen, and went to work in order to support my widowed mother. I was offered a cadetship at the Naval Academy, and it nearly broke my heart to refuse the offer, but I said: 'Mother, I am going to stay home and take care of you.' The dream of my life was to get an education.
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Mr. C. F. Steed, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
115 years ago today - Sep 20, 1910
[J. Golden Kimball]
Elder Geo[rge]. Albert Smith is improving slowly.
The other brethren are pretty well unless it be J. G[olden]. Kimball who says he has appendicitis on both sides and indigestion between and for this reason he positively refuses to smile.
[J. Golden Kimball 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]
Elder Geo[rge]. Albert Smith is improving slowly.
The other brethren are pretty well unless it be J. G[olden]. Kimball who says he has appendicitis on both sides and indigestion between and for this reason he positively refuses to smile.
[J. Golden Kimball 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]
120 years ago today - Sep 20, 1905
As Joseph F. Smith and his wife sleep, a burglar robs their bedroom.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
125 years ago today - Sep 20, 1900
[Marriner W. Merrill]
I went to the Tabernacle and heard Mr. [President] Roosevelt and some of his party speak on the issues of the day. They complimented Utah people for having so many children to inhabit the land and build up the country. Had a good meeting. No vindictive feeling toward the Democratic Party was indulged in; the party were Republicans. (It was at this meeting, when Theodore Roosevelt was informed that father had 45 children, that he is reported to have said "Bully" and pulled out of his vest pocket a gold button to be given father as a souvenir. M. C. M.)
[I suspect the parenthetical note was added by one of Marriner Merrill's children]
[Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I went to the Tabernacle and heard Mr. [President] Roosevelt and some of his party speak on the issues of the day. They complimented Utah people for having so many children to inhabit the land and build up the country. Had a good meeting. No vindictive feeling toward the Democratic Party was indulged in; the party were Republicans. (It was at this meeting, when Theodore Roosevelt was informed that father had 45 children, that he is reported to have said "Bully" and pulled out of his vest pocket a gold button to be given father as a souvenir. M. C. M.)
[I suspect the parenthetical note was added by one of Marriner Merrill's children]
[Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Saturday, Sep 20, 1890
[John Henry Smith]
Kanab
The High Council met at 8 a.m. The following decision was made.
Decision
In the matter of the Bishopric of the Kanab Ward against the Presidency of the Kanab Stake of Zion.
In the first Count we find the rules of the ward in regard to public dances should not have been applied to private parties; but the Presidency of the Stake should have given instructions for the correction of this matter to the Bishopric of the Ward.
The second Count pertains to an incorporate[d] water company whose business policy should be dictated by the stockholders, and while we do not approve of ecclesiastical interference in such matters, if any influence is used it should be for the promotion of union.
... The fourth Count relates to the removal of the Kanab Bishopric by the Presidency of the Stake without a hearing before the High Council.
In this matter we find that it was a strained construction which enabled the Presidency to consider the letter of the Bishopric as a resignation, and their release was hasty and unwarranted....
The conference convened in the stake academy building at 10 a.m. ... Francis M. Lyman took up the ballance of the time explaining to the people their condition and calling for repentance from certain brethren who had made some very harsh remarks about the bishop.
... The High Council and Priesthood of the Stake met at 7 p.m. the brethren nominated a number of men from whom the apostles selected by the aid of those present the bishop and Council. Bishop L. C. Mariger having resigned in the morning at the High Council meeting this action was found necessary. Joel H. Johnson was chosen for Bishop, Alfred Young for first Councillor and Asa W. Judd for second Councillor. All were unanimously sustained.
[Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
Kanab
The High Council met at 8 a.m. The following decision was made.
Decision
In the matter of the Bishopric of the Kanab Ward against the Presidency of the Kanab Stake of Zion.
In the first Count we find the rules of the ward in regard to public dances should not have been applied to private parties; but the Presidency of the Stake should have given instructions for the correction of this matter to the Bishopric of the Ward.
The second Count pertains to an incorporate[d] water company whose business policy should be dictated by the stockholders, and while we do not approve of ecclesiastical interference in such matters, if any influence is used it should be for the promotion of union.
... The fourth Count relates to the removal of the Kanab Bishopric by the Presidency of the Stake without a hearing before the High Council.
In this matter we find that it was a strained construction which enabled the Presidency to consider the letter of the Bishopric as a resignation, and their release was hasty and unwarranted....
The conference convened in the stake academy building at 10 a.m. ... Francis M. Lyman took up the ballance of the time explaining to the people their condition and calling for repentance from certain brethren who had made some very harsh remarks about the bishop.
... The High Council and Priesthood of the Stake met at 7 p.m. the brethren nominated a number of men from whom the apostles selected by the aid of those present the bishop and Council. Bishop L. C. Mariger having resigned in the morning at the High Council meeting this action was found necessary. Joel H. Johnson was chosen for Bishop, Alfred Young for first Councillor and Asa W. Judd for second Councillor. All were unanimously sustained.
[Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
140 years ago today - Sunday, Sep 20, 1885
[John Henry Smith]
Ashley, Uinta County
... The brethren voted to ... forgive each other their trespasses.
[Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
Ashley, Uinta County
... The brethren voted to ... forgive each other their trespasses.
[Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
160 years ago today - Sep 20, 1865
The Salt Lake Telegram reports that Salt Lake City's Jews celebrate Yom Kippur in the LDS 14th Ward chapel, as arranged by Brigham Young.
[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)]]
175 years ago today - Sep 20, 1850
Brigham Young: Appointed governor of Utah Territory by Millard Fillmore 20 September 1850.
[Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
[Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
180 years ago today - Sep 20, 1845
Lieutenant General Brigham Young said he laid hands on the deceased the day he was shot that he felt to pronounce a martyr blessing and the blessing of a Martyr crown, in he has died in the cause of mobocracy, I feel to sympathize with this Father Phippins. He died but he desired to live for the same cause as we do. He shall come forth in the first resurrection. I am for work and preach to live long upon the earth. God bless you, Amen. -- Nauvoo, Illinois
[On the Mormon Frontier, the Diaries of Hosea Stout. Juanita Brooks, ed. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1964. 1:69, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[On the Mormon Frontier, the Diaries of Hosea Stout. Juanita Brooks, ed. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1964. 1:69, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
30 years ago today - Sep 19, 1995
Wallace B. Smith, president of the RLDS church, announces that his successor will be W. Grant McMurray, age forty-eight. Effective as of April 1996, this ends the patrilineal succession of Joseph Smith's descendants as presidents of the RLDS church since 1860.
[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)]]
50 years ago today - Sep 19, 1975
A First Presidency letter instructs that those Mormons who refuse to pay federal income taxes are violating the law and the church's 12th Article of Faith.
[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)]]
60 years ago today - Sep 19, 1965
Reed Benson, son of Ezra Taft Benson, becomes national directory of public relations for the ultra-right wing John Birch Society
["John Birch Society Representative Reed Benson," Ogden Standard-Examiner, 19 Sept. 1965, A-6. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
["John Birch Society Representative Reed Benson," Ogden Standard-Examiner, 19 Sept. 1965, A-6. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
125 years ago today - Sep 19, 1900
[John Whitaker]
Thursday the 19th of September 1900 was the OUTSTANDING DAY OF OUR LIFE, President Frank Y. Taylor was authorized by the First Presidency of the Church to invite Ida and I TO RECEIVE OUR SECOND ANNOINTINGS, AND IN THE TEMPLE, ON THIS MOMENTOUS DAY, President John R. Winder, President of the [Salt Lake] Temple, explained fully what the 2nd annontings were and told us of the glorious promises offered to those who keep the commandments of the Lord and live a worthy and holy life: that these were the highest of all earthly blessings and no one receives them but those selected by the President of the Church. No one else has that right. How wonderful they were, what hopes they inspire, what a strength they give, what anticipations they awaken in our hearts and how wonderful it is to feel a nearness to the Lord by righteous living. We were thrilled in expectancy and joyous in hopes of living worthy to secure all that was promised us. We have started on an everlasting journey and all
depends on whether we endure until the end.
[John M. Whitaker journal, Sept. 19, 1900, Marriott Library; emphasis in original, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
Thursday the 19th of September 1900 was the OUTSTANDING DAY OF OUR LIFE, President Frank Y. Taylor was authorized by the First Presidency of the Church to invite Ida and I TO RECEIVE OUR SECOND ANNOINTINGS, AND IN THE TEMPLE, ON THIS MOMENTOUS DAY, President John R. Winder, President of the [Salt Lake] Temple, explained fully what the 2nd annontings were and told us of the glorious promises offered to those who keep the commandments of the Lord and live a worthy and holy life: that these were the highest of all earthly blessings and no one receives them but those selected by the President of the Church. No one else has that right. How wonderful they were, what hopes they inspire, what a strength they give, what anticipations they awaken in our hearts and how wonderful it is to feel a nearness to the Lord by righteous living. We were thrilled in expectancy and joyous in hopes of living worthy to secure all that was promised us. We have started on an everlasting journey and all
depends on whether we endure until the end.
[John M. Whitaker journal, Sept. 19, 1900, Marriott Library; emphasis in original, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
130 years ago today - Sep 19, 1895
Apostle Francis M. Lyman, visiting in St. Joseph, Nevada, writes "After meeting bro[ther] George Adair told me all about the Mountain Meadow affair. There were but few White men who shed blood. John M. Higby and Joseph White were the worst, having killed a dozen each. Haight did no killing. Stewart was not there. Lee also did much killing. White fired on the camp." Two days later he writes "Bro[ther]s Dudly Leavitt and Nephi Johnson were in the meeting. I talked with those two about the Mountain Meadows Massacre. The first gave me but little information. Bro[ther] Johnson was the man who gave the word to the Indians to fire at the last general killing. He denies that Higby and White did the killing that Adair tells of. He says white men did most of the killing."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
180 years ago today - Sep 19, 1845
The terms of Peace which they [the mob] offered us - were about as follows if we would enter into bonds - that if by the 1st day of April next leave this state - & all things that appertained to them - & pledge all the property of the church for the performance of the same we shall live in peace this winter[.] ... President Brigham Young requested the Council to unite with him in prayer for the success of our troops &c which they did ... Scott reported that the Hiram Kimball our Mail Carrier with his guard were assaulted in the most inhuman manner their lives threatened & by submitting from an absolute to a sound whipping were permitted to make their way for nauvoo under penalty of death if as ever again seen in Leokuk [Keokuk]
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
180 years ago today - 19 [Sept 1845]
[Brigham Young]
From the movements it appears the time to favor Zion has come for our men have had perfect success, every shot the brethren have made has taken effect and not a gun missed fire. ... Let all other work be stoped (except the Temple, let the hands that are at work there continue if they have to cary the sword in one hand while they work with the other) ...
[Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
From the movements it appears the time to favor Zion has come for our men have had perfect success, every shot the brethren have made has taken effect and not a gun missed fire. ... Let all other work be stoped (except the Temple, let the hands that are at work there continue if they have to cary the sword in one hand while they work with the other) ...
[Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
180 years ago today - Sep 19, 1845
[Anointed Quorum]
"Before council broke up President Young and the company kneeled down and he offered up prayers that the Lord would preserve his servants and ddiver those who had been active in the mob that killed Joseph and Hyrum into our hands that they might received their desserts" .
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
"Before council broke up President Young and the company kneeled down and he offered up prayers that the Lord would preserve his servants and ddiver those who had been active in the mob that killed Joseph and Hyrum into our hands that they might received their desserts" .
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
195 years ago today - Sept 19, 1830
On his 19th birthday Orson Pratt is baptized into the Mormon Church by his brother Parley. He becomes one of the first apostles, almost commits suicide after finding that Joseph Smith had propositioned his wife, is excommunicated, rebaptized, fulfills 11 missions for the church. He teaches himself mathematics, physics and astronomy and publishes textbooks on advanced algebra. He differs in doctrinal matters with president Brigham Young and is threatened with disciplinary action over it but Pratt's views are later adopted by the Church while Young's are labeled as "heresy." Before he dies in 1881 Orson Pratt had been a Mormon longer than any other person.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
40 years ago today - Sep 18, 1985.
Stan Larson, a scripture-translation researcher in the LDS Translation Division, is suspended after his supervisor receives a copy of his paper, "The Sermon on the Mount: What Its Textual Transformation Discloses Concerning the Historicity of the Book of Mormon," from another ward member. Larson had compared the Sermon on the Mount in the Book of Mormon to the oldest known manuscripts, monastic documents, and papyri versions and found that Joseph Smith's translation contains errors which do not appear before the 1769 edition of the King James Version. Larson concluded that "Joseph Smith plagiarized from the KJV when dictating the biblical quotations in the Book of Mormon." He is given the choice of being fired or resigning with one month severance pay. He resigns.
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
115 years ago today - Sep 18, 1910
[Charles W. Penrose]
Aft[ernoo]n Big meeting [Joseph W.] McMurrin spoke I followed on forbidding plural marriages.
[Charles W. Penrose 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]
Aft[ernoo]n Big meeting [Joseph W.] McMurrin spoke I followed on forbidding plural marriages.
[Charles W. Penrose 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]
130 years ago today - Sep 18, 1895
[Joseph F. Smith]
.... As to the matter of adoptions, you understand that children are to be sealed to their own parents so far as possible, and when not any further possible, the chain (Genealogical chain) is to be linked on to the Prophet who stands at the Head of this great dispensation. ...
[Joseph F. Smith to Charles F. Middleton, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
.... As to the matter of adoptions, you understand that children are to be sealed to their own parents so far as possible, and when not any further possible, the chain (Genealogical chain) is to be linked on to the Prophet who stands at the Head of this great dispensation. ...
[Joseph F. Smith to Charles F. Middleton, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
140 years ago today - Sep 18, 1885
John Sharp, a local bishop, agrees in court to obey the anti-polygamy laws. He is the first Utah polygamist to be convicted and only fined. Regarded as a traitor, he is released as bishop on 1 Oct. However, Sharp remains as chair of the LDS People's Party central committees for Salt Lake County and Utah territory until 1887. Therefore, it is unlikely he would have been released from the Council of Fifty had it convened after Oct. 1884.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
145 years ago today - Sep 18, 1880
Orson Pratt gave his most specific identification of the personages in the First Vision:"…in the spring of 1820…in answer to his prayers, there was the manifestation of two of the great personages in the heavens—not angels, not messengers, but two persons that hold the keys of authority over all the creations of the universe. Who were they? God the Eternal Father and his Son Jesus Christ…"
["Journal of Discourses", Vol. 21, p.308, in A Documented History of Joseph Smith's First Vision, http://beggarsbread.org/2013/04/01/a-documented-history-of-joseph-smiths-first-vision/]
["Journal of Discourses", Vol. 21, p.308, in A Documented History of Joseph Smith's First Vision, http://beggarsbread.org/2013/04/01/a-documented-history-of-joseph-smiths-first-vision/]
180 years ago today - Sep 18, 1845 (Thursday)
Sheriff Backenstos, with a posse consisting of some seven hundred men [including many Mormons], surrounded Carthage, Ill., to make arrests, but the house-burners had fled. He also issued a proclamation to the mobbers to disperse, which, however, was not obeyed, as they went to Missouri and other places, preparing for new depredations.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
185 years ago today - September 18, 1840. Friday.
William Clayton writes "I did not blieve it was the will of God we should lose one soul [to death]". Some of the branch believes a sick child will die and Clayton thought "this showed [] was some unbelief in our midst." "We prayed with the children and desired all to hold them by faith. But after all our exertions Brother hoomes' child died the same night. This as as a grief to our minds, but it was so."
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
20 years ago today - Sep 17, 2005
Elder [Bruce C.] Hafen recounted how, in 1953, a young staff member in the Missionary Department named Gordon B. Hinckley was called into the office of President [David O.] McKay and given the difficult assignment of devising a way to present the temple ordinances in eight languages. After weeks of studying the temple ordinances, pleading with the Lord and counseling with President McKay in the Salt Lake Temple, Brother Hinckley proposed presenting the endowment ordinances in movie form. When the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve approved the idea, the fifth floor of the Salt Lake Temple was organized into a sacred movie set where filming took place.
[Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
80 years ago today - Sep 17, 1945
.... he [George Albert Smith] wishes me to say that he has not recollection of the incident to which you refer, but it might have happened, because while the Word of Wisdom mentions neither tea nor coffee, nevertheless, while the Prophet was still living his brother Hyrum specifically stated that 'hot drink' meant tea and coffee, and it has been also generally understood that it is the active drugs in those beverages that make them harmful and that where those drugs have been removed, the harmful effect resulting therefrom is absent. He feels that probably there would not be much injury result from imbibing of 1/33 of the caffeine in a cup of coffee. ...
On the question of tithing, the First Presidency have repeatedly left that matter where the revelation leaves it, namely, that you should pay one tenth of your 'interest annually,' leaving it to each individual to determine how much tithing he should pay under that rule. ...
[Joseph Anderson, Letter to J. Leland Anderson, 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]
On the question of tithing, the First Presidency have repeatedly left that matter where the revelation leaves it, namely, that you should pay one tenth of your 'interest annually,' leaving it to each individual to determine how much tithing he should pay under that rule. ...
[Joseph Anderson, Letter to J. Leland Anderson, 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]
100 years ago today - Sep 17, 1925
Heber J. Grant writes: "Had I had any knowledge of what is known as the Pari betting system I never would have consented to go to the races the opening day... The racing that is now being conducted is licensed gambling under a state law. The law was passed during my absence from the city and I regret exceedingly that it ever got on the statue books, and I am humiliated to think that I attended the races the first day." Four days later a First Presidency letter states: "The Church has been and now is unalterably opposed to gambling in any form whatever."
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
135 years ago today - Sep 17, 1890 (Wednesday)
The motormen and conductors of the Salt Lake City Ry. struck for higher wages. This was the first genuine strike in Salt Lake City. It lasted several days.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
155 years ago today - Sep 17, 1870
[Wilford Woodruff journal]
/Martin Harris [re]Baptized./
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
/Martin Harris [re]Baptized./
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
155 years ago today - Saturday, September 17, 1870
[Payson School of the Prophets]
.... Some are greatly tried with the official conduct of President Young, some with one thing and some with another. Showed how spiritualism is calculated to charm some men - believed that that alone will draw many away from the truth. ...
-Elder- -D. H. Holladay spoke next-. Spoke of the influences for evil that are abroad among the people. Said some of our brethren invite the devil into our homes and related his own experience in that matter. It is much easier to invite evil spirits into our houses than it is to cast them out.
[A Record of Sayings and Doings in the School of the Prophets, organized by President Brigham Young September 19, 1868, In Payson City, Utah County, U.T., typescript by Michael Nielsen]
.... Some are greatly tried with the official conduct of President Young, some with one thing and some with another. Showed how spiritualism is calculated to charm some men - believed that that alone will draw many away from the truth. ...
-Elder- -D. H. Holladay spoke next-. Spoke of the influences for evil that are abroad among the people. Said some of our brethren invite the devil into our homes and related his own experience in that matter. It is much easier to invite evil spirits into our houses than it is to cast them out.
[A Record of Sayings and Doings in the School of the Prophets, organized by President Brigham Young September 19, 1868, In Payson City, Utah County, U.T., typescript by Michael Nielsen]
180 years ago today - Sep 17, 1845
[William Clayton]
While in council a brother came in and took up a loaded musket to show how he used it. When he raised it suddenly to show the manouver the gun went off and struck the wall on the under side the ceiling and glanc-'d through the glass window over the door. In our council yesterday a man took up a six shooter and began to examine it and pulling the trigger it went off. The ball passed between two of the brethrens heads and went through the celing and roof. We learned this morning that the person killed yesterday was Frank Worrell, the person who stood at the jail door when Joseph and Hyrum were killed beckoning the mob and urging them on.
[The Nauvoo Diaries of William Clayton, 1842-1846, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
While in council a brother came in and took up a loaded musket to show how he used it. When he raised it suddenly to show the manouver the gun went off and struck the wall on the under side the ceiling and glanc-'d through the glass window over the door. In our council yesterday a man took up a six shooter and began to examine it and pulling the trigger it went off. The ball passed between two of the brethrens heads and went through the celing and roof. We learned this morning that the person killed yesterday was Frank Worrell, the person who stood at the jail door when Joseph and Hyrum were killed beckoning the mob and urging them on.
[The Nauvoo Diaries of William Clayton, 1842-1846, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
180 years ago today - Sep 17, 1845
Lieutenant General Brigham Young went into the square and addressed the officers and soldiers as follows: It is my wish that every man from the age of 16 to 100 be enlisted in these companies ... I want this hollowings, beating of drums and firing of guns should cease. The police have their orders from this time to arrest every man or boy in our street found guilty of these acts or anyone walking our street after night, detain them till daylight and stripping off their clothes, show whether they are male or female. I am going to propose to Jacob B. Backenstos that he make every man a deputy then we may sally forth with our writs in our pockets in any number and arrest these mobbers. When you shoot, be sure and shoot right. If you die, die like Miner R. Deming in the defense of your country's rights. When we meet Demings in another world he will be happy in the death he died. God grant you may all live and die in the defense of your country's rights. Keep your guns to yourselves.
Trust no one and when you shoot, take a good aim. -- Nauvoo, Illinois
[On the Mormon Frontier, the Diaries of Hosea Stout. Juanita Brooks, ed. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1964. 1:65, 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]
Trust no one and when you shoot, take a good aim. -- Nauvoo, Illinois
[On the Mormon Frontier, the Diaries of Hosea Stout. Juanita Brooks, ed. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1964. 1:65, 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 - 17 [Sept 1845]
[Brigham Young]
Spent the day in council, in the afternoon bro. Stephen Markham started out in persuit of the mob with about 80 men. and soon after bro Geo. Miller came in from his scout the company having killed two of the mob and wounded others who were surprised in the act of firing buildings.
[Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
Spent the day in council, in the afternoon bro. Stephen Markham started out in persuit of the mob with about 80 men. and soon after bro Geo. Miller came in from his scout the company having killed two of the mob and wounded others who were surprised in the act of firing buildings.
[Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
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