Letter read from president Ben E. Rich, conveying information that the President of the South Carolina Conference, G.R. Humphreys, had accidentally run across a village of negroes who were members of our Church and that two of the males had been ordained to the priesthood by the elder (Bond) who had baptized them, and Elder Humphreys wanted to know what should be done about this. The question was now considered.
President [George Q.] Cannon informed President [Lorenzo] Snow that President [Brigham] Young had held to the doctrine that no man tainted with negro blood was eligible to the priesthood; that President [John] Taylor held to the same doctrine, claiming to have been taught it by the Prophet Joseph Smith. President Cannon read from the Pearl of Great Price showing that negroes were debarred from the priesthood; also that Enoch in his day called upon all people to repent save it were the descendants of Cainan.
President Snow intimated to President Cannon that this was one of the questions which it was understood would come up before the Council of First Presidency and Apostles for discussion the first time there should be a full attendance.
President Cannon remarked to President Snow that as he regarded it the subject was really beyond the pale of discussion, unless, he, President Snow, had light to throw upon what had already been imparted.
Brother [George F.] Gibbs now reminded President Cannon that President [Joseph F.] Smith had on a previous occasion related something going to show how the full blooded negro came through the flood which had not to his knowledge appeared in our records, and suggested that President Smith be asked to repeat it.
Upon being invited to do so President Smith said that he had been told that the idea originated with the Prophet Joseph [Smith], but of course he could not vouch for it. It was this: That the woman named Egyptus was in the family way by a man of her own race before Ham took her to wife, and that Cainan was the result of that illicit intercourse.
This subject was now dropped without President Snow intimating that the subject would be further considered.
[George Albert Smith Papers, Manuscripts Division, Marriott Library, University of Utah, in Marquardt, H. Michael, Mormon Central: Excerpts From Minutes of the Council of the Twelve and of the First Presidency, 1879-1947 http://www.xmission.com/~research/central/chorg2.htm]
Today In Mormon History-fb
Several curious tidbits that happened on this day in Mormon History
175 years ago today - Aug 18, 1850
[Brigham Young Sermon]
I am happy. I never found much joy until Mormonism laid hold of me - since that day I have been happy ...
[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 happy. I never found much joy until Mormonism laid hold of me - since that day I have been happy ...
[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 - Aug 18, 1835
Minutes of the Kirtland High Council: "Testimony of Elder B. Riggs, as follows, that said Elder [Phineas H.] Young, borrowed a Book of Mormon of Mr. Childs of Madison Co. N. Y. and agreed to return it, but instead of doing so, sold it, also gave another to a poor female as a deed of charity, afterward borrowed it & sold it. For which said council decided that Elder P. H. Young should be suspended from church fellowhip, until he gives satisfaction to this council for this unchristian conduct." Phineas H. Young, Brigham Young's brother; was chosen in 1835 to be an apostle but passed over when William Smith was ordained instead.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
115 years ago today - Aug 17, 1910
[Charles W. Penrose]
Miss [illegible] came told me of vision.
[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]
Miss [illegible] came told me of vision.
[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]
125 years ago today - Aug 17, 1900; Friday
Presidents [Lorenzo] Snow and [George Q.] Cannon were at the office. At 2:30 the Rev[erend]. Paden and the Rev[erend]. Mr. Irish, representing a committee appointed by the ministers' association, kept an appointment for the purpose of conferring with the Presidency in regard to closing the bar at Saltair. Mr. Paden remarked that after the newspaper reports of the scene at Saltair on its opening day (Decoration day) the ministers' association discussed the subject, and it was there learned that the Saltair pavilion belonged to the Trustee-in-Trust of the "Mormon" Church. Mr. Paden said that he remarked on that occasion that if that were the case it would not be for them as ministers to make trouble about it, as he was satisfied that President Snow would do all he could to correct the thing when it was brought to his attention. The speaker said the saloon was run illegally, and besides, the pavilion sold privileges for the purpose of running gambling machines; and the ministers'
association would want to know if the "Mormon" Church could afford to let the statement go into print and be published abroad that President Snow, as its trustee-in-Trust, was responsible for a saloon being carried on at the Saltair pavilion?
President Cannon explained to these gentlemen that our Church in one sense owned Saltair, but in another it does not. It belonged to a company, and originally it was a private property. When the place was first built the intention was to have no saloon, neither to have trains running on a Sunday; but it was
found afterwards that the resort could not be run--so the management claimed--without a saloon. This was humiliating, but the company had to succumb. ...
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
association would want to know if the "Mormon" Church could afford to let the statement go into print and be published abroad that President Snow, as its trustee-in-Trust, was responsible for a saloon being carried on at the Saltair pavilion?
President Cannon explained to these gentlemen that our Church in one sense owned Saltair, but in another it does not. It belonged to a company, and originally it was a private property. When the place was first built the intention was to have no saloon, neither to have trains running on a Sunday; but it was
found afterwards that the resort could not be run--so the management claimed--without a saloon. This was humiliating, but the company had to succumb. ...
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
180 years ago today - Aug 17, 1845. Sunday.
[William Clayton]
.... At the stand today Wm. Smith preached to the saints "the first chapter of the gospel according to St. W[illia]m" as he termed it. It was just a full declaration of his belief in the doctrine of a plurality of wives &c. The people appeared disgusted and many left the ground. His object was evidently to raise an influence against the Twelve especially Brigham and Heber for he intimated in strong terms that they were practising such things in secret but he was not afraid to do it openly. His course today will evidently hurt him in the estimation of the saints more than any thing he has done before.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
.... At the stand today Wm. Smith preached to the saints "the first chapter of the gospel according to St. W[illia]m" as he termed it. It was just a full declaration of his belief in the doctrine of a plurality of wives &c. The people appeared disgusted and many left the ground. His object was evidently to raise an influence against the Twelve especially Brigham and Heber for he intimated in strong terms that they were practising such things in secret but he was not afraid to do it openly. His course today will evidently hurt him in the estimation of the saints more than any thing he has done before.
[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 - Sunday, August 17th, 1845
I felt pained and distressed when [apostle and church patriarch] William [Smith] was speaking so did a great many of the congregation, and many of the people left, being disgusted at the remarks he made... it was calculated to lead astray many of the young men, elders and women, and to lead to corruption, adultery and every other wicked thing both in men and women letting loose the reins of government; ...
[John Taylor responding] ... Jacob had four wives and David had several hundred can we say that we can have a nuber of wives.
Bro. William then arose and said he did not wish me to comment, to criticize or to make any remarks upon his doctrine or preaching, that if I did he should reply to me. I paused until he got through, and again commenced speaking, when he again interrupted me; and said as often as he thought proper to rise he would answer any thing that I might advance. ... I again waited until he got through when I felt constrained by the Spirit of God, which rested upon me in power to proclaim with energy that God had called me to be a watchman upon the towers of Zion and that when I saw any danger or evil approaching I would lift up my voice and warn the people in the name of Israel's God and that no man should shut my mouth, when I had spoken these words the congregation cried with a loud voice,'--Amen.
I then stated whatever the opinion of Bro. William might be, I knew that there was a great deal of hypocrisy and deception ... I had been called upon to expose the corruptions of some men who were in secret publishing the doctrines contained in a book written by Udney H .Jacobs which was a corrupt book; they state that it was Joseph's views, published under a cloak of another man's name and the character of Joseph Smith was implicated in the matter ...
He then arose and made an apology for what he had said, and stated that he knew nothing of this book that had been spoken of and did not know anything of the principles advanced in it. ...
['The John Taylor Nauvoo journal, January 1845-September 1845,' BYU Studies 23:3 (1983) edited by Dean C. Jessee]
[John Taylor responding] ... Jacob had four wives and David had several hundred can we say that we can have a nuber of wives.
Bro. William then arose and said he did not wish me to comment, to criticize or to make any remarks upon his doctrine or preaching, that if I did he should reply to me. I paused until he got through, and again commenced speaking, when he again interrupted me; and said as often as he thought proper to rise he would answer any thing that I might advance. ... I again waited until he got through when I felt constrained by the Spirit of God, which rested upon me in power to proclaim with energy that God had called me to be a watchman upon the towers of Zion and that when I saw any danger or evil approaching I would lift up my voice and warn the people in the name of Israel's God and that no man should shut my mouth, when I had spoken these words the congregation cried with a loud voice,'--Amen.
I then stated whatever the opinion of Bro. William might be, I knew that there was a great deal of hypocrisy and deception ... I had been called upon to expose the corruptions of some men who were in secret publishing the doctrines contained in a book written by Udney H .Jacobs which was a corrupt book; they state that it was Joseph's views, published under a cloak of another man's name and the character of Joseph Smith was implicated in the matter ...
He then arose and made an apology for what he had said, and stated that he knew nothing of this book that had been spoken of and did not know anything of the principles advanced in it. ...
['The John Taylor Nauvoo journal, January 1845-September 1845,' BYU Studies 23:3 (1983) edited by Dean C. Jessee]
180 years ago today - 1845 17 Aug.
William Smith preaches in favor of "spiritual wifery," to which Taylor gives an immediate rebuttal. William's niece Mary (orphaned daughter of Samuel Smith) later writes: "He was ordered to discontinue his discourses, but he did not obey orders." His relatives helped build wooden seats to accommodate a crowd near his house. On the first Sunday "every seat in that grove had been fouled with outhouse refuse." Within months his mother Lucy Mack Smith would angrily tell Strang's followers about this incident.
[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]
180 years ago today - Aug 17 [1845]
sunday. this morning I dreamed I saw brother Joseph Smith and as I was going about my business he says brother Brigham dont be in a hurry this was repeated the second and third time when it came in a degree of sharpness. ... Went to the stand found brother Wm Smith preaching a spiritual wife sermon ...
[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']
[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']
190 years ago today - Aug 17, 1835
The church holds its general conference, though Joseph Smith, Jr. and Frederick G. Williams are absent. The church body unanimously adopts and canonizes the Doctrine and Covenants as compiled by the committee of Smith, Williams, Oliver Cowdery, and Sidney Rigdon. Among the new revelations is D&C 134, concerning the relationship between church, government, and individuals, asserting that governments are instituted by God for the benefit of man; that government should protect the freedom of men to worship as they please; that all men should uphold their government and laws; that churches should not exercise civil powers; and that individuals are justified in defending themselves and their property. Another section 101 was included that condemns the practice of polygamy.
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
190 years ago today - 1835 17 Aug.
A special conference accepts the Doctrine and Covenants which contains unannounced changes and expansions of revelations previously published in The Evening and the Morning Star and 1833 Book of Commandments.
[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]
15 years ago today - Aug 16, 2010
A decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals trumps Walker-'s ruling and puts same-sex marriages in California on hold indefinitely.
[Prop 8 Timeline, NBC San Diego, http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/politics/Proposition-8-Timeline-History-California--138796454.html]
[Prop 8 Timeline, NBC San Diego, http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/politics/Proposition-8-Timeline-History-California--138796454.html]
40 years ago today - August 16, 1985
[Michael Quinn]
[From Quinn's 2009 memoir:]
Another Apostle joins the anti-historian chorus.
My article on post-Manifesto polygamy was the subtext of remarks that Dallin H. Oaks made during the Sperry Symposium sponsored by BYU's College of Religious Instruction. This was three months after his angry letter to me about its publication in Dialogue. His letter of May 1985 had accused me of underhandedly obtaining restricted documents at LDS Archives and of preparing to publish the article without notifying my 'file leaders' or the custodians of those documents. In response, I immediately mailed to Elder Oaks a summary of my conversations about this research into post-Manifesto polygamy-with HDC's Managing Director G. Homer Durham and with First Presidency Counselor Gordon B. Hinckley-and explained to Oaks that I had specifically informed each of them YEARS IN ADVANCE of my hopes to publish a detailed article about it. With this letter, I included photocopies of my numerous letters about this research to Durham, to President Spencer W. Kimball, to the First
Presidency as a whole, and to Counselor Hinckley directly. From 1979 to 1982, those letters had gone to the highest-ranking custodian of HDC's manuscripts and to my highest 'file leaders' in the Church. But in 1985 Apostle Oaks seemed angry that I hadn't told HIM during 1977-80, while he was BYU's president (as a non-General Authority) and when was promoting me for J. Reuben Clark's biography. But he had NEVER asked me
for reports about ANY details of my research back then. Nor did anyone else, yet I had volunteered those details to the General Authorities who had a right to know-a NEED to know about my knowledge of post-Manifesto polygamy. After a month without a reply to the May 1985 letter, I phoned his secretary in the LDS Church Office Building to inquire whether Oaks had received it. She confirmed in June that my letter arrived with its attached documents, that he had looked at them all, and that he would undoubtedly contact me again when he returned from a trip. He didn't. Instead, despite the information and documentation I provided him in May 1985, Apostle Oaks told numerous people during the next two decades that I had allegedly 'misused' my research-access at HDC, that I had allegedly done 'unauthorized' research about post-Manifesto polygamy there, and that I had allegedly 'deceived' manuscript-custodians and Church leaders about my plan to publish that research. Several of
his listeners would report this to me. This August, his talk warned against those who 'criticize or deprecate a person for the performance of an office to which he or she has been called of God. It does not matter that the criticism is true.' Words to gag on.
[From the diaries and memoirs of D. Michael Quinn, in 'On Writing Mormon History, 1972-95,' edited by Joseph Geisner, Signature Books, 2020]
[From Quinn's 2009 memoir:]
Another Apostle joins the anti-historian chorus.
My article on post-Manifesto polygamy was the subtext of remarks that Dallin H. Oaks made during the Sperry Symposium sponsored by BYU's College of Religious Instruction. This was three months after his angry letter to me about its publication in Dialogue. His letter of May 1985 had accused me of underhandedly obtaining restricted documents at LDS Archives and of preparing to publish the article without notifying my 'file leaders' or the custodians of those documents. In response, I immediately mailed to Elder Oaks a summary of my conversations about this research into post-Manifesto polygamy-with HDC's Managing Director G. Homer Durham and with First Presidency Counselor Gordon B. Hinckley-and explained to Oaks that I had specifically informed each of them YEARS IN ADVANCE of my hopes to publish a detailed article about it. With this letter, I included photocopies of my numerous letters about this research to Durham, to President Spencer W. Kimball, to the First
Presidency as a whole, and to Counselor Hinckley directly. From 1979 to 1982, those letters had gone to the highest-ranking custodian of HDC's manuscripts and to my highest 'file leaders' in the Church. But in 1985 Apostle Oaks seemed angry that I hadn't told HIM during 1977-80, while he was BYU's president (as a non-General Authority) and when was promoting me for J. Reuben Clark's biography. But he had NEVER asked me
for reports about ANY details of my research back then. Nor did anyone else, yet I had volunteered those details to the General Authorities who had a right to know-a NEED to know about my knowledge of post-Manifesto polygamy. After a month without a reply to the May 1985 letter, I phoned his secretary in the LDS Church Office Building to inquire whether Oaks had received it. She confirmed in June that my letter arrived with its attached documents, that he had looked at them all, and that he would undoubtedly contact me again when he returned from a trip. He didn't. Instead, despite the information and documentation I provided him in May 1985, Apostle Oaks told numerous people during the next two decades that I had allegedly 'misused' my research-access at HDC, that I had allegedly done 'unauthorized' research about post-Manifesto polygamy there, and that I had allegedly 'deceived' manuscript-custodians and Church leaders about my plan to publish that research. Several of
his listeners would report this to me. This August, his talk warned against those who 'criticize or deprecate a person for the performance of an office to which he or she has been called of God. It does not matter that the criticism is true.' Words to gag on.
[From the diaries and memoirs of D. Michael Quinn, in 'On Writing Mormon History, 1972-95,' edited by Joseph Geisner, Signature Books, 2020]
40 years ago today - Aug 16, 1985.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks, speaking at BYU's Sperry Symposium on the Doctrine and Covenants, warns members of the church not to "criticize or depreciate a person for the performance of an office to which he or she has been called of God. It does not matter that the criticism is true."
[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]
40 years ago today - Aug 16, 1985
Apostle (and former Utah Supreme Court Justice) Dallin Oaks instructs educators and administrators of LDS Church Educational System: "Balance is telling both sides. This is not the mission of official Church literature or avowedly anti-Mormon literature. Neither has any responsibility to present both sides."
75 years ago today - Aug 16, 1950
[George Albert Smith]
At Honolulu, "In the afternoon, by prearrangement, Joseph F. Smith, former patriarch to the Church, came to the Woolley home, and he and I stayed up in my room and had a long talk together concerning many things, particularly with reference to his problems [homosexuality]."
[Journals of George Albert Smith]
At Honolulu, "In the afternoon, by prearrangement, Joseph F. Smith, former patriarch to the Church, came to the Woolley home, and he and I stayed up in my room and had a long talk together concerning many things, particularly with reference to his problems [homosexuality]."
[Journals of George Albert Smith]
95 years ago today - Aug 16, 1930
[Heber J. Grant]
George Albert Smith called and told of his unsatisfactory physical condition. We told him to take a good long rest. He is getting very nervous. We don't want him to have another breakdown such as he had years ago, almost costing him his life.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
George Albert Smith called and told of his unsatisfactory physical condition. We told him to take a good long rest. He is getting very nervous. We don't want him to have another breakdown such as he had years ago, almost costing him his life.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
125 years ago today - Thursday, Aug 16, 1900
Some discussion was indulged in regarding non-tithe-payers, and it was suggested by Pres. Cannon that men holding the priesthood who do not pay tithing should be handled in their quorums, and if they did not repent and honor this law, they should be dropped from the quorum, as in his opinion a man who rejected this law was certainly not worthy to hold a standing in a quorum of the priesthood. Also, he thought quorums should adopt a rule requiring the attendance of their members, and an absence from three or four meetings without a proper excuse should be considered sufficient cause for dropping his name from the roll. It was conceded by all present that the suggestions were very good, and it would be well to take them as a text in visiting the various conferences. In regard to some members of the church who were reported up as not believing in the principle of tithing, Pres. Cannon remarked that a man who did not believe in the law was not worthy to hold the priesthood.
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
125 years ago today - Aug 16, 1900; Thursday
[George Q. Cannon] If a man, even in these days were to proclaim his unbelief in the doctrine of plural marriage, he would not be worthy of the Priesthood. ... B. H. Roberts, who had recently attended the Cassia [Idaho] Stake conference, had reported that some brethren in that region were being accused by their Teachers of living in adultery with their plural wives. He said that he told Brother Roberts that it should be made clear to such teachers that when the Manifesto was issued we did not pledge ourselves to abandon our plural wives, nor even cease to perform plural marriages outside of the Government; and when our people get the idea that we have bound ourselves to the whole world they manifest ignorance. A man may go to some countries and not violate their laws by taking a plural wife and living in plural marriage. Turkey, for instance; that is, if the man holding the keys authorizes him to do so he would have a right to do this. It was wrong for the idea to go abroad among
our people that we had abandoned the doctrine of plural marriage as a tenet of our faith, simply because the practice of marrying plural wives is forbidden....
President Snow remarked that if he knew anything at all he knew there were thousands of dead branches which should be pruned for the benefit of the church. While no action was taken this was the general sentiment of the council. ...
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
our people that we had abandoned the doctrine of plural marriage as a tenet of our faith, simply because the practice of marrying plural wives is forbidden....
President Snow remarked that if he knew anything at all he knew there were thousands of dead branches which should be pruned for the benefit of the church. While no action was taken this was the general sentiment of the council. ...
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
140 years ago today - Aug 16, 1885 (Sunday)
The notorious apostate Wm. Jarman made an unsuccessful attempt to break up a conference meeting of Saints in Sheffield, England. A mob numbering several thousands followed the Elders, hooting and yelling. The police, however, protected the brethren from assault.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
180 years ago today - Aug 16, 1845
Hosea Stout wrote, "It was decided that there would be a guard kept night and day around the temple, and that no stranger be allowed to come within the square of the temple lot, and also that there be four large lanterns made for the purpose and placed about 25 feet from each corner of the [Nauvoo] temple, to keep a light by night for the convenience of the guard."
[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
190 years ago today - Aug 16, 1835
Erastus Snow: Ordained elder 16 August 1835.
[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]
195 years ago today - Aug 16, 1830
Joseph Sr. appears before Justice Nathan Pierce representing Hyrum, who is charged with an outstanding debt by Levi Daggett.
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books, http://bit.ly/lucys-book]
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books, http://bit.ly/lucys-book]
65 years ago today - Aug 14, 1960
Jerald Tanner is excommunicated from the LDS church at his own request. Tanner later states: "I believed very strongly that I belonged to the only true church and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. When I was about 18, I had to face reality." Jerald, with his wife Sandra, later are a major force in publicizing the Church's problematic history.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
90 years ago today - Aug 14, 1935
[Heber J. Grant and David O. McKay]
.... Should persons guilty of adultery be dealt with for their membership, or for their fellowship in the Church?
Every case should be considered on its merits. If the sin was committed in secret, and the person has confessed, the case should not be made public, but the authority to whom the confession is made should grant the forgiveness asked and the person be permitted to retain his or her membership in the Church. If, however, the case is a flagrant one and known publicly, then such necessary restitution should be made as seems fitting to the presiding authorities. (See: Doctrine and Covenants, Section 42:90-93.)
[Heber J. Grant and David O. McKay, Letter to Reuben M. Wiberg, 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]
.... Should persons guilty of adultery be dealt with for their membership, or for their fellowship in the Church?
Every case should be considered on its merits. If the sin was committed in secret, and the person has confessed, the case should not be made public, but the authority to whom the confession is made should grant the forgiveness asked and the person be permitted to retain his or her membership in the Church. If, however, the case is a flagrant one and known publicly, then such necessary restitution should be made as seems fitting to the presiding authorities. (See: Doctrine and Covenants, Section 42:90-93.)
[Heber J. Grant and David O. McKay, Letter to Reuben M. Wiberg, 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]
90 years ago today - Aug 14, 1935
[Heber J. Grant]
Regarding to the holding of funerals on Sunday:
We approve of your having recommended to the Bishops that as far as possible funerals be held on week days. However, this cannot be established as a binding rule, and there is no order of the Church prohibiting the holding of funerals on Sunday. When, however, it is deemed advisable to hold funeral services on the Sabbath Day, the hours should be so arranged as not to interfere too seriously with the regularly established Sunday meetings.
[Heber J. Grant and David O. McKay, Letter to Horace Raymond Pond, 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]
Regarding to the holding of funerals on Sunday:
We approve of your having recommended to the Bishops that as far as possible funerals be held on week days. However, this cannot be established as a binding rule, and there is no order of the Church prohibiting the holding of funerals on Sunday. When, however, it is deemed advisable to hold funeral services on the Sabbath Day, the hours should be so arranged as not to interfere too seriously with the regularly established Sunday meetings.
[Heber J. Grant and David O. McKay, Letter to Horace Raymond Pond, 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]
95 years ago today - Aug 14, 1930
Attended council meeting of the Twelve beginning at 9 A.M. and meeting of the First Presidency and the twelve at 10, both in the Temple. These are the first council meetings of the kind held since July 9, the intervening period being regarded as vacation time for the brethren, most of whom have been away.
[James E. Talmage 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]
[James E. Talmage 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 - Aug 14, 1915
[James E. Talmage]
The First Presidency issues the following endorsement of Jesus the Christ in the Deseret Evening News:
We desire that the work, "Jesus the Christ," be read and studied by the Latter-day Saints, in their families, and in the organizations that are devoted wholly or in part to theological study. We commend it especially for use in our Church schools, as also for the advanced theological classes in Sunday schools and priesthood quorums, for the instruction of our missionaries, and for general reading. [Deseret Evening News, 14 August 1915]
[Chronology of the Life and Work of James E. Talmage, J. Trevor Antley, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MJsHY83JZL_n6CjWq11y1trT_CVXMMXAx2uYOWAwn0c/edit#heading=h.2zfdaoa]
The First Presidency issues the following endorsement of Jesus the Christ in the Deseret Evening News:
We desire that the work, "Jesus the Christ," be read and studied by the Latter-day Saints, in their families, and in the organizations that are devoted wholly or in part to theological study. We commend it especially for use in our Church schools, as also for the advanced theological classes in Sunday schools and priesthood quorums, for the instruction of our missionaries, and for general reading. [Deseret Evening News, 14 August 1915]
[Chronology of the Life and Work of James E. Talmage, J. Trevor Antley, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MJsHY83JZL_n6CjWq11y1trT_CVXMMXAx2uYOWAwn0c/edit#heading=h.2zfdaoa]
130 years ago today - Aug 14, 1895
Joseph Smith III, son of Joseph Smith Jr and president of the RLDS church writes, "Father had no wife but my mother, Emma Hale, to the knowledge of either my mother or myself, and I was twelve years old nearly when he was killed."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
130 years ago today - Aug 14, 1895
Brother Reed Smoot came up from Provo [Utah] to see the First Presidency in relation to the indebtedness of the Brigham Young Academy [later BYU] which his father had endorsed. The indebtedness amounts altogether to upwards of $70,000, $15,000 of which is arranged for by the Church. The estate is so tied up by this endorsement that unless something is done for their relief they will be financially ruined. This is a case that has appealed very strongly to my sympathies, as Brother Smoot endorsed these notes in consequence of counsel that he says he received from President [Brigham] Young to stand by that Academy and to do all in his power to sustain it, and he has told his family and others that if it cost him every dollar he had in the world he would do 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]
[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]
195 years ago today - Aug 14, 1830
Justice Nathan Pierce issues an order to collect an unpaid judgment against Hyrum Smith.: "THESE are therefore to command you to levy on the goods and chattels of the said defendant (except such as are by law exempted from execution) the amount of the said judgment, and bring the money before me, on the 13th- day of Sep 1830 at my office in the town of Manchester. . . . And if no goods or chattels can be found, or not sufficient to satisfy this execution, then you are hereby commanded to take the body of the said defendant and convey him to the common Jail of the county aforesaid." The constable, Nathan Harrington, collects less than half the debt from Hyrum and when he returns later to collect the remainder he finds that Hyrum has moved away.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
85 years ago today - Aug 13, 1940
[Heber J. Grant]
[Upon seeing a special preview for general authorities of the movies on Brigham Young:] It brought tears to my eyes a time or two. Of course there are many things in it that I wish we could change, but I think they have done a splendid job, and I do not want to criticise (sic) at all what they have done. They have to make a picture that will sell.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Upon seeing a special preview for general authorities of the movies on Brigham Young:] It brought tears to my eyes a time or two. Of course there are many things in it that I wish we could change, but I think they have done a splendid job, and I do not want to criticise (sic) at all what they have done. They have to make a picture that will sell.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
125 years ago today - Aug 13, 1900; Monday
.... President Snow then declared that no such sealings could be performed in Mexico any quicker than in the United States, with his consent, for such marriages had been forbidden.
Brother Rudger Clawson had a talk with Presidents Snow and Cannon on the subject of non-tithe-paying. He had learned that the Davis [Utah] Stake contained a great number of non-tithe payers among whom were some High Priests and Seventies; some of these, he had learned, did not believe in the law of tithing at all and the question had arisen what should be done with them. President Cannon suggested that the proper thing to do was for the quorums to which these men belonged take up the subject of non-tithe-paying and make it a matter of fellowship, that is, that non-tithe-payers belonging to quorums of the Priesthood who declare their unbelief in this law or who refused to pay tithing, should have fellowship withdrawn from them. This would leave them in a suspended state and would relieve the Bishopric and High Council from dealing directly with them, and giving any of them a chance to rail against any unfavorable action that might be taken against them in the regular church
courts. Of course, they should be first labored with.
The sum of $10. was appropriated by President Snow as a donation to the Orphans' home. For some time the Church had been donating $5. a month regularly to that institution.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
Brother Rudger Clawson had a talk with Presidents Snow and Cannon on the subject of non-tithe-paying. He had learned that the Davis [Utah] Stake contained a great number of non-tithe payers among whom were some High Priests and Seventies; some of these, he had learned, did not believe in the law of tithing at all and the question had arisen what should be done with them. President Cannon suggested that the proper thing to do was for the quorums to which these men belonged take up the subject of non-tithe-paying and make it a matter of fellowship, that is, that non-tithe-payers belonging to quorums of the Priesthood who declare their unbelief in this law or who refused to pay tithing, should have fellowship withdrawn from them. This would leave them in a suspended state and would relieve the Bishopric and High Council from dealing directly with them, and giving any of them a chance to rail against any unfavorable action that might be taken against them in the regular church
courts. Of course, they should be first labored with.
The sum of $10. was appropriated by President Snow as a donation to the Orphans' home. For some time the Church had been donating $5. a month regularly to that institution.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
175 years ago today - Aug 13, 1850
[Wilford Woodruff]
The whole Appearance of Chimney Rock would indicate that the Ancient Nephites or some one els had built the mound & erected a great tower upon the top of it. And the whole formation of the Bluffs in this region of Country Appears more like the ruins of Ancient Cities than of Nature.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The whole Appearance of Chimney Rock would indicate that the Ancient Nephites or some one els had built the mound & erected a great tower upon the top of it. And the whole formation of the Bluffs in this region of Country Appears more like the ruins of Ancient Cities than of Nature.
[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 - Aug 13, 1845
[Nauvoo Neighbor]
- Announcement: "The Last Shingle" - The [Nauvoo] Temple Roof is Completed
[http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
- Announcement: "The Last Shingle" - The [Nauvoo] Temple Roof is Completed
[http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
15 years ago today - 8/12/2010
After reading arguments regarding the stay, Judge Walker says: "None of the factors the court weighs in considering a motion to stay favors granting a stay. Accordingly, proponents motion for a stay is DENIED." Again, rather than having same-sex marriages begin immediately, Walker leaves one week for the appellate court to review the question of a stay. If the appellate court does not lengthen the stay, Walker directs that same-sex marriages could begin at 5:01 p.m. on August 18, 2010.
[Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]
[Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]
125 years ago today - Aug 12, 1900; Sunday
In our Council meeting this PM the leading men Bro[ther] Cluff Bro[ther] Fairbanks & Bro[ther] Woolff [sic] expressed the desire that with a selected few the Expedition [to South America to look for evidence of the Book of Mormon] might continue and it seemed that the spirit of the Lord impressed it upon the mind of Pres[ident Joseph F.] Smith that this would be permitted.... the telegram from Pres[ident] Snow received at Nogales last night suggesting the disbanding of the expedition but with suggestions that Pres[ident] Smith was to acct [sic] under the direction of the Spirit of God in deciding whether any of the camp should be allowed to go on ...
[Seymour B. Young, Diary]
[Seymour B. Young, Diary]
125 years ago today - Aug 12, 1900; Sunday
Pres[ident Joseph F]. Smith made remarks. Bore strong testimony that the work of the Lord would spread till the L[atter]. D[ay]. S[aints]. would control in this land [Mexico], (&) U.S. ...
[Anthony W. Ivins, Diary, entry dated August 13, 1900]
[Anthony W. Ivins, Diary, entry dated August 13, 1900]
125 years ago today - Aug 12, 1900
.... Bro[ther]. Cluff here to get supplies for his S[outh]. A[merican]. Expedition [to search for archaelogical evidence of the Book of Mormon] which is at Nogales waiting under the guard for him to arrange to get them through the Custom House. At 3 P.M. meeting ... The idea had been conveyed that this was a Church expedition. Read letter of instruction from Pres[ident]. [Lorenzo] Snow ... that it was the unanimous opinion of the Pres[idency]. & Apostles that the expedition disband, but if reasons exist which we do not know that a part of the expedition proceed. Cluff must assume the entire responsibility. ... Bro[ther]. Cluff spoke. Said he greatly desired to go forward. If he returned now the expedition would be a failure & his reputation was worth more to him than his life. He would rather fail on the Isthmus or on the banks of the Magdelena River than turn back now. He did not desire to go forward, however, unless he could do so with the blessings of the Lord. Bro[ther]. [Joseph
F.] Smith'asked Bro[ther]. Cluff'Do you feel, in view of the contents of the telegram, that you desire to go forward? Pres[ident]. Smith, I do not feel like turning back. Bro[ther]. Kenkie said he was set apart to remain in the South & preach the Gospel. Pres[ident]. Smith made remarks. Bore strong testimony that the work of the Lord would spread till the L[atter]. D[ay]. S[aints]. would control in this land, (&) U.S. ... Pres[ident]. Smith said that he would not be placed in a position to be held responsible for the act of any individual. You must chose for yourself.
[Anthony W. Ivins, Diary, August 13, 1900, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
F.] Smith'asked Bro[ther]. Cluff'Do you feel, in view of the contents of the telegram, that you desire to go forward? Pres[ident]. Smith, I do not feel like turning back. Bro[ther]. Kenkie said he was set apart to remain in the South & preach the Gospel. Pres[ident]. Smith made remarks. Bore strong testimony that the work of the Lord would spread till the L[atter]. D[ay]. S[aints]. would control in this land, (&) U.S. ... Pres[ident]. Smith said that he would not be placed in a position to be held responsible for the act of any individual. You must chose for yourself.
[Anthony W. Ivins, Diary, August 13, 1900, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
130 years ago today - Aug 12, 1895
[Franklin D. Richards]
The political elements thicken Eastern people seem trying to create public sentiment against women voting on adoption of the Constitution & for Utah officers. Judge Smith's opinion at 1pm I. Judge WH Smith decided that the women of Utah are authorized to Register & vote at Nov election for constitution, &c. Aug-Sept
[Diary Excerpts of Franklin D. Richards, 1887-1897, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The political elements thicken Eastern people seem trying to create public sentiment against women voting on adoption of the Constitution & for Utah officers. Judge Smith's opinion at 1pm I. Judge WH Smith decided that the women of Utah are authorized to Register & vote at Nov election for constitution, &c. Aug-Sept
[Diary Excerpts of Franklin D. Richards, 1887-1897, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Aug 12, 1860 (Sunday)
The Indians made an attack upon the mail station at Egan Canyon, (Tooele Co.) and the following day on Shell Creek Station. A company of soldiers came to the rescue and killed 17 Indians.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
165 years ago today - Aug 12, 1860
[Brigham Young]
If I have faith enough to cause the devils to eat up the devils, like the Kilkenny cats, I shall certainly exercise it. Joseph Smith said that they would eat each other up, as did those cats. They will do so here, and throughout the world. The nations will consume each other, and the Lord will suffer them to bring it about. It does not require much talent or tact to get up opposition in these days. you see it rife in communities, in meetings, in neighbourhoods, and in cities. That is the knife that will cut down this Government. The axe is laid at the root of the tree, and every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit will be hewn down. Out of this Church will grow the kingdom which Daniel saw. This is the very people that Daniel saw would continue to grow and spread and prosper...
[Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 8:141-144, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
If I have faith enough to cause the devils to eat up the devils, like the Kilkenny cats, I shall certainly exercise it. Joseph Smith said that they would eat each other up, as did those cats. They will do so here, and throughout the world. The nations will consume each other, and the Lord will suffer them to bring it about. It does not require much talent or tact to get up opposition in these days. you see it rife in communities, in meetings, in neighbourhoods, and in cities. That is the knife that will cut down this Government. The axe is laid at the root of the tree, and every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit will be hewn down. Out of this Church will grow the kingdom which Daniel saw. This is the very people that Daniel saw would continue to grow and spread and prosper...
[Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 8:141-144, 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 - Aug 12, 1855
[Minutes of the Twelve Apostles]
Twelve met in the Presidents Office upper room. ...
[BY] I do not /[k]no[w]/ but /some/ Spirits may be confused & get into wrong tabernacles when they come here. I believe those stereotyped, will advance & go ahead in time'... T[homas] B[ullock] read Joseph's dream of 3 Feb 1844.
B Y[:] I think Jos[eph] had another dream & Hy[rum]- was with him on a Steam boat. Willard was there & wrote both the dreams.
J M G[:] Jos[eph] said I dont intend to do any thing but preside over the Conference. and live on the Mound Farm and make the 12 do all the business of the Ch[urch. H]e said a dozen times, Iam willing to die for my friends. [A]nd [he] told me to tell the Gov[erno]r. just what God puts into your heart. [W]hen I ret[urne]d. at 4 next morn[ing]. I told him not to go for they will try to kill you. [W]hen he was go[ing] he said, I do not [k]no[w] that I will see you ag[ai]n. [O]ver 40 of us were going and see him on the 26[th] but he sent word for us not to go. I rem[em]ber his looks. [H]e made use of the expressn several times, I am go[ing], as a lamb to the slaughter. Jos[ep]h sent J[ohn] S Fullmer to Nauvoo in the morning at 4. I rem[em]ber crying when praying and could not tell what for.
B Y[: T]here was a great darkness over the p[eo]pl[e] at the time. [It was] enquire[d] of J M G fuller particulars & J M B.
J M B[:] I was in Jail on 26 when they took him by force to the Court house. I said emphatically, dont go, but in a short time he was escorted by the Military to the Court House. I dont think Jos[eph] ever had any idea that he sho[ul]d. return alive to Nauvoo. Dr. R. & myself rode in the car. Jos[eph] rode Jo Duncan & said I am going as a Lamb to the Slaughrer but I have a conscience void of offence to the God and man.
J M G[: S]ince then I have not seen a minute but to bel[ieve] that it could not be averted. [L]ike Jesus it had to be done.
B Y[:] I told the p[eo]pl[e] all things have been done accord[ing]. to the wisdom of Him who knoweth all things and ask him about it.
J M G[: W]hen the Dr returned he was perfectly cool. and before he left Carthage. Prayed President Young sung 'Come ye that love the Lord' Pres[iden]t. ... -
B Y[: T]hey /(U S Congress)/ will try to repeal the fugitive slave law, next session. J M G[: T]hat will break up the union.
H C K[:] When that /(Mesmerism)/ goes, something worse will come. ...
[Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
Twelve met in the Presidents Office upper room. ...
[BY] I do not /[k]no[w]/ but /some/ Spirits may be confused & get into wrong tabernacles when they come here. I believe those stereotyped, will advance & go ahead in time'... T[homas] B[ullock] read Joseph's dream of 3 Feb 1844.
B Y[:] I think Jos[eph] had another dream & Hy[rum]- was with him on a Steam boat. Willard was there & wrote both the dreams.
J M G[:] Jos[eph] said I dont intend to do any thing but preside over the Conference. and live on the Mound Farm and make the 12 do all the business of the Ch[urch. H]e said a dozen times, Iam willing to die for my friends. [A]nd [he] told me to tell the Gov[erno]r. just what God puts into your heart. [W]hen I ret[urne]d. at 4 next morn[ing]. I told him not to go for they will try to kill you. [W]hen he was go[ing] he said, I do not [k]no[w] that I will see you ag[ai]n. [O]ver 40 of us were going and see him on the 26[th] but he sent word for us not to go. I rem[em]ber his looks. [H]e made use of the expressn several times, I am go[ing], as a lamb to the slaughter. Jos[ep]h sent J[ohn] S Fullmer to Nauvoo in the morning at 4. I rem[em]ber crying when praying and could not tell what for.
B Y[: T]here was a great darkness over the p[eo]pl[e] at the time. [It was] enquire[d] of J M G fuller particulars & J M B.
J M B[:] I was in Jail on 26 when they took him by force to the Court house. I said emphatically, dont go, but in a short time he was escorted by the Military to the Court House. I dont think Jos[eph] ever had any idea that he sho[ul]d. return alive to Nauvoo. Dr. R. & myself rode in the car. Jos[eph] rode Jo Duncan & said I am going as a Lamb to the Slaughrer but I have a conscience void of offence to the God and man.
J M G[: S]ince then I have not seen a minute but to bel[ieve] that it could not be averted. [L]ike Jesus it had to be done.
B Y[:] I told the p[eo]pl[e] all things have been done accord[ing]. to the wisdom of Him who knoweth all things and ask him about it.
J M G[: W]hen the Dr returned he was perfectly cool. and before he left Carthage. Prayed President Young sung 'Come ye that love the Lord' Pres[iden]t. ... -
B Y[: T]hey /(U S Congress)/ will try to repeal the fugitive slave law, next session. J M G[: T]hat will break up the union.
H C K[:] When that /(Mesmerism)/ goes, something worse will come. ...
[Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
180 years ago today - Aug 13, 1845
Patriarchal Blessing of Ann Erskine given by William Smith ... thou art sealed up unto eternal life, with power over diseases sickness pain the flesh the Devil and all evil Spirits crowned with the blessings of an eternal Salvation at God[']s right hand to dwell for evermore freed from pain & sorrow which blessing I seal upon thy head in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
[Patriarchal Blessings]
[Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - Aug 12, 1845
Mrs. Sally (Stacey) Murdock, a Mormon widow who wrote from Nauvoo that, "There has been but few elders sent out since the death of the prophet but when the seventies receive their endeument they will go forth with power to all the nations kindreds tongues and people of the earth . . ." "Endued" is a term used in masonic ceremonies, (I.E. "Since he comes endued with all these necessary qualifications, let him enter this Worshipful Lodge in the name of the Lord, and take heed on what he enters," William Morgan, Illustrations of Masonry" pp. 46-47, 65 [1827])
[Grunder, Rick, Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source]
[Grunder, Rick, Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source]
185 years ago today - Aug 12, 1840
Father John Smith Informed us in his letter of some remarkable Signs that lately appeared among the Saints viz on the 14th of June 1840. On Sunday five <[-]> men members of the Church saw two men ride across the Missisippi River from Montrose to Nauvoo. One man was on a white horse & the other on a bay or red horse. The waters parted under their feet & fire flew when their tails moved & they observed the clothing of the men. A few month previous to this a man was seen walking across the river by several believers & others. The Unbeleivers said Probably a mormon was going across to steal sumthing. This is the effect that Signs have on those that Seek them.
[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]
105 years ago today - Aug. 11, Wed. [1920]
[James E. Talmage]
.... We climbed the hill [Cumorah] and traversed it back and fore and examined it with interest and care. It is the largest of the many glacial drumlins of the locality, and is the most prominent of all the elevations in the neighborhood. Aside from the fact that the plates of the Book of Mormon were taken from the hill, I was greatly interested in looking from its summit over the surrounding region and in contemplating the tremendous battle-scenes of the past, whereby first the Jaredites and later the Nephites were exterminated as nations. I believe the Book of Mormon account without reservation or modification. I believe, also, and express it as my personal conviction, that many ancient records, possibly those from which Mormon made his abridgment, are still concealed in that hill. I believe also that they will be brought forth in the Lord's due time, and that until that time no man will succeed in finding them. [...]
[James E. Talmage Journal, Transcription reproduced by Trevor Antley, Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University]
.... We climbed the hill [Cumorah] and traversed it back and fore and examined it with interest and care. It is the largest of the many glacial drumlins of the locality, and is the most prominent of all the elevations in the neighborhood. Aside from the fact that the plates of the Book of Mormon were taken from the hill, I was greatly interested in looking from its summit over the surrounding region and in contemplating the tremendous battle-scenes of the past, whereby first the Jaredites and later the Nephites were exterminated as nations. I believe the Book of Mormon account without reservation or modification. I believe, also, and express it as my personal conviction, that many ancient records, possibly those from which Mormon made his abridgment, are still concealed in that hill. I believe also that they will be brought forth in the Lord's due time, and that until that time no man will succeed in finding them. [...]
[James E. Talmage Journal, Transcription reproduced by Trevor Antley, Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University]
115 years ago today - Thursday, Aug 11, 1910
[Counselor John Henry Smith]
.... We talked over reports of some new [plural] Marriages. It was decided if evidence can be got [we] will sever such parties from the church.
[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]
.... We talked over reports of some new [plural] Marriages. It was decided if evidence can be got [we] will sever such parties from the church.
[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]
135 years ago today - Aug 11, 1890
[Apostle Brigham Young Jr.]
[Notes that the First Presidenct are going to Albuquerque "where all the First Presidency are going to consult the Southern stake presidents on political matters in Arizona."] ... at 4:30 he & Bro[ther] Lyman blessed and set me apart to preside in foreign lands. Every blessing pronounced upon my head by prophets and apostles should be realized my ive me utterance . . .
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Notes that the First Presidenct are going to Albuquerque "where all the First Presidency are going to consult the Southern stake presidents on political matters in Arizona."] ... at 4:30 he & Bro[ther] Lyman blessed and set me apart to preside in foreign lands. Every blessing pronounced upon my head by prophets and apostles should be realized my ive me utterance . . .
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Aug 11, 1845
Patriarchal Blessing of Thore Thorsten given by William Smith ... for truly it might be said of thee the blessings of Prophets are upon thy head, and in all thy days and wherever thy lot shall be cast it shall be observed that thou art a child of a peculiar Spirit, and all this because thou hast descended from those fathers, unto whom the promises were made belonging to their stock, for among the number of thy forefathers there shall be them who administered before the alter [altar] who had the Holy Priesthood, stood in the house of David and held the key of knowledge they understood the mysteries of kingdoms, the power of Priesthood authority, held the oracles and wore the sacred robe, to them it was given to understand the principles and power by which kingdoms and empires were built up, kings and thrones were glorified, creation of worlds, by Vissions [Visions] and Revelations to hold power over all the languages of the earth over every nation, kindred tongue and people ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
[Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - Aug 11, 1845
Patriarchal Blessing of Martha J. McKee given by William Smith on August 11, 1845
City of Joseph 11 Augt 1845. Wm Smith Patriarch[']s blessing ... Dear sister. In the name of Jesus christ I lay my hands upon your head to seal upon you a father[']s blessing by the consent and request of thy father which will seal thee up unto eternal life beyond the power of Satan and all his temptations...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
City of Joseph 11 Augt 1845. Wm Smith Patriarch[']s blessing ... Dear sister. In the name of Jesus christ I lay my hands upon your head to seal upon you a father[']s blessing by the consent and request of thy father which will seal thee up unto eternal life beyond the power of Satan and all his temptations...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - Aug 11, 1845
Patriarchal Blessing of Joseph H. Lane given by William Smith ... for thou art one of that number even of God[']s chosen ones of whom it is said according to the election of grace that all Israel shall be saved as it is written I have reserved unto myself Seven thousand men who have never bowed the knee to the image of Baal then with this number thou art numbered of this seed and stock counted in the lineage of Joseph of whose blood thou art ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
[Patriarchal Blessings]
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