[Leonard Arrington]
Today Russell Williams called Earl [Olson], myself, and Maureen [Beecher] to his office. And he told us that we are at liberty to keep Maureen on as a member of our staff after she has her baby. Her case in my letter caused the personnel people to go to the Legal Department of the Church and to other legal firms to get opinions as to whether they could continue the practice they had been following of terminating the services of employees upon going to the hospital to have their babies. Brother Williams wrote a three-paragraph one-page letter to the First Presidency reporting the results of these legal decisions which obviously were that the Church was no longer exempt from the applications of the Civil Rights Act of 1965 which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex.
The brethren in their meeting apparently decided to permit Sister Beecher to retain employment and to do the same for other female employees who might be pregnant. With such a decision having been made and approved by President [Marion G.] Romney in consultation with Brother Williams, it is now up to the personnel people to work out the terms to be arranged-how much sick leave will be permitted and so on before they return to work. Brother Williams is now in the process of working out these details. He wanted to give to us the result of the policy change to assure Maureen that she will be retained, but suggests that not much be said about it yet until there is a public announcement until after the details have been worked out.
Maureen, of course, was very happy as was I and Earl. After our return, Maureen and I had a moment of prayer in my office.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Today In Mormon History-fb
Several curious tidbits that happened on this day in Mormon History
90 years ago today - 80 years - Jul 31, 1935
[J. Reuben Clark & David O. McKay letter]
We have your letter of July 29, 1935, dealing with the question of the handling of certain persons who, it would appear from your letter, are living in adultery, and trying to cloak their relations under the guise of plural marriage.
We enclose herewith a copy of the circular letter, dated Jun 17, 1933, by the First Presidency, and which covers the situation fully.
You will see from this circular that these people, if living as supposed, are not living the law of plural marriage, but are, on the contrary, simply adulterers.
From your statement it would seem that these people are committing crimes against the laws of Arizona. If this be true it is your duty to assist the civil offices in their efforts to uphold and enforce the law.
You are of course familiar as to the steps to be taken in the matter of excommunication from the Church, and you should proceed against these people at once in order to purge the Church of sin.
[J. Reuben Clark and David O. McKay, Letter to Charles C. Heaton, 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]
We have your letter of July 29, 1935, dealing with the question of the handling of certain persons who, it would appear from your letter, are living in adultery, and trying to cloak their relations under the guise of plural marriage.
We enclose herewith a copy of the circular letter, dated Jun 17, 1933, by the First Presidency, and which covers the situation fully.
You will see from this circular that these people, if living as supposed, are not living the law of plural marriage, but are, on the contrary, simply adulterers.
From your statement it would seem that these people are committing crimes against the laws of Arizona. If this be true it is your duty to assist the civil offices in their efforts to uphold and enforce the law.
You are of course familiar as to the steps to be taken in the matter of excommunication from the Church, and you should proceed against these people at once in order to purge the Church of sin.
[J. Reuben Clark and David O. McKay, Letter to Charles C. Heaton, 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 - 115 years - Jul 31, 1900; Tuesday
[Anthony Ivins]
Prest. [Joseph F.] Smith informed me that his visit was primarily to meet [BYU President] Bro. [Benjamin] Cluff [Jr.] & advise him to either disband his expedition [to look for Book of Mormon evidence in South America] or reorganize it. ... Prest. Smith said for some time reports had reached the Presidency from this expedition which were alarming. The idea had been conveyed that this was a church expedition. ... Bro. 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. ... Prest. Smith said that he would not be placed in a position to be held responsible for the act of any individual you must choose for yourself. ...
[Anderson, Elizabeth Oberdick, editor, Cowboy Apostle: The Diaries of Anthony W. Ivins: 1875-1932, Signature Books, Salt Lake City in association with the Smith-Pettit Foundation (2013) - http://bit.ly/AnthonyIvins]
Prest. [Joseph F.] Smith informed me that his visit was primarily to meet [BYU President] Bro. [Benjamin] Cluff [Jr.] & advise him to either disband his expedition [to look for Book of Mormon evidence in South America] or reorganize it. ... Prest. Smith said for some time reports had reached the Presidency from this expedition which were alarming. The idea had been conveyed that this was a church expedition. ... Bro. 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. ... Prest. Smith said that he would not be placed in a position to be held responsible for the act of any individual you must choose for yourself. ...
[Anderson, Elizabeth Oberdick, editor, Cowboy Apostle: The Diaries of Anthony W. Ivins: 1875-1932, Signature Books, Salt Lake City in association with the Smith-Pettit Foundation (2013) - http://bit.ly/AnthonyIvins]
130 years ago today - Jul 31, 1895
Sisters Z[ina] D H Young, Jane S. Richards, Bathsheba B Smith & M I Horne & Emily T. Richards being together'The 3 Presidents & I & later John H[enry]. Smith we listened to the views of the Presidency to the sisters as to the course they should pursue in their political relations & labors as suffragists & as Democrats, very clear pointed & energetic instructions as to political principles and to practice.
[Franklin D. Richards, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Franklin D. Richards, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
180 years ago today - 170 years - Jul 31, 1845
Thursday prayer circle meeting of males at 4 p.m. at Willard Richards's office where "prayers were offered for a number of the sick and for several other general subjects" . However, female members of the Anointed Quorum were told that there was "no prayer meeting to day" .
[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]
[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]
190 years ago today - 180 years - Jul 31, 1835
Patriarchal Blessing of Loren Babbit given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... if thou wilt keep the commandments of God and observe the word of Wisdom[,] Thou shalt live to see thy three score years and ten and be satisfied with life... thou shalt be useful unto thy fellow men. through the seventy years: of thy life which thou mayest live upon the earth, if thou desire.
[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:112-113, quoted 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]
[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:112-113, quoted 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]
45 years ago today - Jul 30, 1980
CALGARY HERALD reports: "Blood Indians camped, on the northern edge of Cardston, Alberta, Canada, pledging to pull all their money out of banks in the town of 3200 and refusing to purchase anything from Cardston businesses. . . . Anger was directed at Cardston residents and specifically at the Mormon Church. The town was founded by Mormon pioneers and is the site of a temple. This is the latest turn in the dispute over the Bloods' claim to land they say is rightfully theirs-land that takes in the town. Blood Indians claimed they have heard racist statements from town residents, been refused service in local businesses, and been refused treatment in the local hospital. They now plan to take their economic revenge."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
65 years ago today - Jul 30, 1960
[J. Reuben Clark]
[In conversation with Mark E. Petersen:] Then he told me the following: That he was very much disturbed about the work that was being given to the Brethren; that, confidentially, Brother Spencer Kimball told him that he was working to the point of exhaustion at which he was when he had his last heart attack; that Brother Stapley was taking a nitroglycerin tablet every day and he was worn down; and that the rest of the Brethren were working to the point where he was most apprehensive.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
[In conversation with Mark E. Petersen:] Then he told me the following: That he was very much disturbed about the work that was being given to the Brethren; that, confidentially, Brother Spencer Kimball told him that he was working to the point of exhaustion at which he was when he had his last heart attack; that Brother Stapley was taking a nitroglycerin tablet every day and he was worn down; and that the rest of the Brethren were working to the point where he was most apprehensive.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
100 years ago today - Jul 30, 1925
[George F. Richards]
Attended weekly council meeting in the Temple where I received the appointment to attend, alone, the Jordan Stake Conference Aug. 8&9. In my report I suggested that the last written speech of [recently passed away anti-evolutionist preacher] Wm. J. Bryan on Christianity & Evolution should be published in pamphlet form or in some form where it could be referred to and be accessible. Pres. Grant said it could be published in the Improvement Era. After the meeting I phoned Editor Ed. Henderson who said he would see to it &c.
[George F. Richards 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]
Attended weekly council meeting in the Temple where I received the appointment to attend, alone, the Jordan Stake Conference Aug. 8&9. In my report I suggested that the last written speech of [recently passed away anti-evolutionist preacher] Wm. J. Bryan on Christianity & Evolution should be published in pamphlet form or in some form where it could be referred to and be accessible. Pres. Grant said it could be published in the Improvement Era. After the meeting I phoned Editor Ed. Henderson who said he would see to it &c.
[George F. Richards 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 - Jul 30, 1895
[Heber J. Grant]
[Council meeting of all presidency, 6 apostles, stake presidents, Caine, Richards, King] The matter under discussion was the activity taken by our sisters in the political matters. Nearly all of us who were present expressed regrets that the sisters should have taken such an active part in political matters and gone out and made so many speeches, and while we regretted this the general feeling was that for the Presidency to now ask these sisters to stop their work would bring ill feelings about among those not of us, and the cry would go out that the Church was not allowing its members perfect freedom. It was decided to let the matter go along as it had started, but the feeling generally was that leading officials in the Relief Societies should have kept out of active work in political matters. ...
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Council meeting of all presidency, 6 apostles, stake presidents, Caine, Richards, King] The matter under discussion was the activity taken by our sisters in the political matters. Nearly all of us who were present expressed regrets that the sisters should have taken such an active part in political matters and gone out and made so many speeches, and while we regretted this the general feeling was that for the Presidency to now ask these sisters to stop their work would bring ill feelings about among those not of us, and the cry would go out that the Church was not allowing its members perfect freedom. It was decided to let the matter go along as it had started, but the feeling generally was that leading officials in the Relief Societies should have kept out of active work in political matters. ...
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
175 years ago today - Jul 30, 1850
[Wilford Woodruff]
Our Encampment or the first division of it was called to pass through one of those Horrid scenes to day which are so much dredded by all Emigrating Companies on the plaines which was A stampede of all the ox teams with the family waggons of the first division with the exception of the 10 Baggage who were in the rear. No person who has not Experienced or witnessed one of those dredful scenes cannot form any Correct idea of them And it is almost impossible to give A Correct description of it for to behold 30 or 40 ox teams from 2 to five yoke of oxen in each team Attached to a family waggon of goods & women & Children All in an instant like the twinkling of an Eye be deprived of all reason sens & government & be filled with madness frantic & fright & all dart off with lightning speed each running their own way, roaring, bellowing rolling & tumbling over each other waggons upsetting smashing their wheels Exles & tongues spilling the goods women & Child in the street, for the next
teams to trample under their feet as they roar & charge on their way with their yokes bows & chains flying in evry direction is A scene not easily imagined or described. ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Our Encampment or the first division of it was called to pass through one of those Horrid scenes to day which are so much dredded by all Emigrating Companies on the plaines which was A stampede of all the ox teams with the family waggons of the first division with the exception of the 10 Baggage who were in the rear. No person who has not Experienced or witnessed one of those dredful scenes cannot form any Correct idea of them And it is almost impossible to give A Correct description of it for to behold 30 or 40 ox teams from 2 to five yoke of oxen in each team Attached to a family waggon of goods & women & Children All in an instant like the twinkling of an Eye be deprived of all reason sens & government & be filled with madness frantic & fright & all dart off with lightning speed each running their own way, roaring, bellowing rolling & tumbling over each other waggons upsetting smashing their wheels Exles & tongues spilling the goods women & Child in the street, for the next
teams to trample under their feet as they roar & charge on their way with their yokes bows & chains flying in evry direction is A scene not easily imagined or described. ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Jul 30, 1845
[Patriarchal Blessings]
Patriarchal Blessing of Gad Sprague given by William Smith ... for thou art a descendant of the house of Caleb partaking some little of the blood of Dan as made known by the Spirit in this blessing & like the fierce tempest or the waves of the troubled Sea when thy Soul is troubled because of wrongs thou shalt be borne on until Vengeance hath been afflicted on those who are the murderers of Prophets ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
Patriarchal Blessing of Gad Sprague given by William Smith ... for thou art a descendant of the house of Caleb partaking some little of the blood of Dan as made known by the Spirit in this blessing & like the fierce tempest or the waves of the troubled Sea when thy Soul is troubled because of wrongs thou shalt be borne on until Vengeance hath been afflicted on those who are the murderers of Prophets ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
185 years ago today - Jul 30, 1840 (Thursday)
Thurs 30 Went to Nauvoo attend fast & Prayer Meeting for the Purpose of calling on the lord that he would pacify the Elements &c that health may be restored to the Saints. Joseph said that inasmuch as the Saints will leaving of Speaking evil of one another & not Speaking evil of the Seer which Speaking evil of the archangel or the holy Keys which he held & the archangel & if the church would cease from these bickerings & murmerings & be of one mind the Lord would visit them with health & every needed good, for said he this is the voice of the Spirit. furthermore if the Saints are sick or have sickness in their families, and the Elders do not prevail every family should get power by fasting & prayer & anointing with oil & continue so to do their sick shall be healed this also is the voice of the Spirit.
[John Smith Diary -Words of Joseph Smith, 36-37, The Woodland Institute, http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
[John Smith Diary -Words of Joseph Smith, 36-37, The Woodland Institute, http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
20 years ago today - Jul 29, 2005
Yahoo webpage news story states: "The Mormon faith looks set to lose its 150-year-old dominance over US state of Utah by the year 2030 as more people leave the church than can be recruited, figures showed."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
50 years ago today - Jul 29, 1975-Tuesday
[Leonard Arrington]
I was talking with someone the other day about Church newspapers and periodicals. Apparently Brother [Boyd K.] Packer has been an advisor to these people for the past two or three years. That is probably how he got involved in the J. Golden Kimball episode and perhaps the reason he was especially interested in making comments about our Brigham Young book. At any rate this person said he and his group had had many experiences with Elder Packer. It was his judgment-and the judgment of his associates-that Elder Packer was so constituted that if anyone goes to him to ask about the advisability of doing something, he will automatically say no because he thinks this means they have a doubt about it and not a clear go-ahead from the spirit.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
I was talking with someone the other day about Church newspapers and periodicals. Apparently Brother [Boyd K.] Packer has been an advisor to these people for the past two or three years. That is probably how he got involved in the J. Golden Kimball episode and perhaps the reason he was especially interested in making comments about our Brigham Young book. At any rate this person said he and his group had had many experiences with Elder Packer. It was his judgment-and the judgment of his associates-that Elder Packer was so constituted that if anyone goes to him to ask about the advisability of doing something, he will automatically say no because he thinks this means they have a doubt about it and not a clear go-ahead from the spirit.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
65 years ago today - Jul 29, 1960
Hugh Nibley writes in a letter, "The two greatest nuisances in the Church are (a) those who think they know enough to disprove the claims of Joseph Smith, and (b) those who think they know enough to prove them."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
85 years ago today - Jul 29, 1940
[President Heber J. Grant]
Spent the day at home in bed most of the time reading from the News and the Era. I had the pleasure of reading an editorial from the Deseret News which was considered too strong to be published. I wish we could publish it. It attacks President Roosevelt very strongly on running for a third term. I do not know how many Latter-day Saints would want to stop the News if we should publish it, but I almost feel like having it published even if we should lose a hundred or five hundred subscribers. I think we have almost got to the point where the Deseret News ought to take a strong stand against Roosevelt running for a third term, no matter how many people might be almost ready to apostatize.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Spent the day at home in bed most of the time reading from the News and the Era. I had the pleasure of reading an editorial from the Deseret News which was considered too strong to be published. I wish we could publish it. It attacks President Roosevelt very strongly on running for a third term. I do not know how many Latter-day Saints would want to stop the News if we should publish it, but I almost feel like having it published even if we should lose a hundred or five hundred subscribers. I think we have almost got to the point where the Deseret News ought to take a strong stand against Roosevelt running for a third term, no matter how many people might be almost ready to apostatize.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
90 years ago today - Jul 29, 1935
The attention of President Clark was called to a newspaper statement that Senator King had given notice that he intends to submit a resolution in the Senate for the purpose of investigating conditions in Germany relative to the German government's attitude toward the Jews and Catholics in that country and that a private inquiry might be made by German representatives and if they find that he is a member of the Church and representing the State of Utah in the Senate, there might be some reprisals on the part of the present German government against the Latter-day Saints in Germany and it might result in the expulsion of the elders from Germany. President Clark asked that a letter incorporating these ideas be sent to him at the Foreign Bondholders'.
[First Presidency, Meeting with Presiding Bishopric, Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[First Presidency, Meeting with Presiding Bishopric, Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
100 years ago today - Jul 29, 1925
[George F. Richards]
I read Wm Jennings Bryans speech prepared to deliver in court at Dayton, Tenn. in defense of Religion and Christianity and denouncing Evolution. I mailed the paper to my son Oliver in Germany. It was of about 9 or 10 columns length and was in this mornings Tribune. I indorse the article fully and think it should be published in pamphlet form as Mr. Bryans dying testimony. He died suddenly on the 26th inst. and before the speech was delivered.
[George F. Richards 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]
I read Wm Jennings Bryans speech prepared to deliver in court at Dayton, Tenn. in defense of Religion and Christianity and denouncing Evolution. I mailed the paper to my son Oliver in Germany. It was of about 9 or 10 columns length and was in this mornings Tribune. I indorse the article fully and think it should be published in pamphlet form as Mr. Bryans dying testimony. He died suddenly on the 26th inst. and before the speech was delivered.
[George F. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
110 years ago today - Jul 29, 1915
Bruce Redd McConkie, later a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, is born in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
140 years ago today - Wednesday, Jul 29, 1885
[John Henry Smith]
I spent five hours today at Mr. Warnacks talking with my Cousin Joseph Smith of the Reorganized Church. We canvassed a number of points but could not agree.
[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]
I spent five hours today at Mr. Warnacks talking with my Cousin Joseph Smith of the Reorganized Church. We canvassed a number of points but could not agree.
[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]
180 years ago today - Jul 29, 1845
[William Clayton]
We played till near 1 o clock chiefly with the violin. There was a first rate supper provided with plenty of wine and good things.
[The Nauvoo Diaries of William Clayton, 1842-1846, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
We played till near 1 o clock chiefly with the violin. There was a first rate supper provided with plenty of wine and good things.
[The Nauvoo Diaries of William Clayton, 1842-1846, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
180 years ago today - Jul 29, 1845
Patriarchal Blessing of Samuel Swanner given by William Smith ... yet some foul and evil Spirit has watched thy path and laid a snare for thy Soul and endeavored to bring thee down into captivity and so destroy and bind thy Spirit that all of thy future usefulness might be hindered, but the days of thy captivity shall not be all the days of thy life for when the Saints receive thine [their] enduement [endowment] the Elders of Israel their anointings then shall the opening glories of this latter dispensation beam with greater effulgence upon thine understanding then Lo and behold thy deliverance shall come
and like the bird uncaged thy Soul shall be set free to flit itself in distant lands and amidst thy starry heavens the trackless skies thy Spirit shall rove ungovernable in the far off distance until lost in the contemplation of heaven the knowledge of God ...
[Patriarchal Blessings, Marquardt Papers]
and like the bird uncaged thy Soul shall be set free to flit itself in distant lands and amidst thy starry heavens the trackless skies thy Spirit shall rove ungovernable in the far off distance until lost in the contemplation of heaven the knowledge of God ...
[Patriarchal Blessings, Marquardt Papers]
180 years ago today - Jul 29, 1845
Patriarchal Blessing of Samuel B. Merrill given by William Smith ... it shall be given unto thee to be an avenger of the Blood of the Prophets & patriarchs to stand in the fierce conflict & contend for the rights of thy Brethren still it shall not be given unto thee to have a spirit of war for peace and union is uritten [written] on the tablets of thy heart but to defend the innocent and the cause of Zion thy soul shall rise up in Mighty strength and a Mighty spirit whose power is unknown so shall not thy strength be comprehended for in the day of battle thine arm shall be vexed with the power of Laban[']s sword and unto conquest shall thou be borne off Victorious ...
[Patriarchal Blessings, Marquardt Papers]
[Patriarchal Blessings, Marquardt Papers]
35 years ago today - Jul 28, 1990
The Church News feature article: "Church Brings Hope to Prison Inmates."
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
125 years ago today - Jul 28, 1900
Advertisement in THE LOGAN NATION for "all wool Garments," with illustration of two men and woman in one-piece underwear from neck to wrist and ankle.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
125 years ago today - Jul 28, 1900
Advertisement in The Logan Nation for "all wool Garments," with an illustration of two men and women in one-piece underwear from neck to wrist to ankle.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
125 years ago today - Jul 28, 1900; Saturday
This morning Elders Heber J. Grant and Horace G. Whitney came to the office for the purpose of conferring with President [Lorenzo] Snow on the business [McCune expenses keeping the Herald solvent with is own funds]. President Snow came in the office from his room in the Beehive House and in connection with President [George Q.] Cannon heard what these brethren had to say in relation to the proposition to turn the Herald over to the Church and have some one appointed to run it as a Democratic paper as it has always been. President Snow told these brethren that there was but one answer to give, and that was that the Church could not undertake to do any such thing as this, and Brother Whitney was to coney this answer to Mr. [Alfred W.] McCune. With this decision President Cannon fully agreed. After this short interview President Snow again returned to this room as he was not feeling so well this morning.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
130 years ago today - 1895. July 28
Moses Thatcher dedicated the [Matthew] Cowley home in Preston, "That herein might be born prophets, seers, and revelators to honor God."
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Jul 28, 1890 (Monday)
The Utah Supreme Court, in the matter of the estate of George Handley, deceased, rendered a decision to the effect that polygamous children could not inherit from the father.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
150 years ago today - Jul 28, 1875
DESERET NEWS reports one of meetings where apostles preach United Order: "The vote to renew their covenants by baptism was very general by the people."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
150 years ago today - Jul 28, 1875
Deseret News reports one of the meetings where the apostles preach the United Order: "The vote to renew their covenants by baptism was very general by the people."
[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 )]]
155 years ago today - Jul 28, 1870
DESERET NEWS reports that on his return to Salt Lake City yesterday, Milando Pratt says that he and Thomas Rich saw Bear Lake Monster from shore: "The portion of the body out of the water was about ten feet long," with head like a walrus.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
155 years ago today - Jul 28, 1870
Deseret News reports that on his return to Salt Lake City yesterday, Milando Pratt says that he and Thomas Rich (sons of apostles) saw the Bear Lake Monster from shore: "The portion of the body out of the water was about ten feet long," with a head like a walrus.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
165 years ago today - Jul 28, 1860
[Wilford Woodruff]
A Quorum of /70/ Apostles when united are Equal in authority to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
The Twelve Apostles or traveling Council are to be special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world. They are Equal in authority in there decissions to the Presidency of the Church. They are to preside in all the world whare the three first Presidency are not.
The three first Presidency Preside over the whole Church & administer in all the ordinances of the Church which Consists of a Presidet & his two Councellors.
The President of the Church holds the keys of the sealing powers & his Council act in Concert with him [in] all things.
Should the Presidency die The Twelve Could organize another Presidency & should the Presidency & Twelve all be slain the Seventies being Equal in power & Authority to the Twelve or first Presidency Could organize both Quorums.
A Bishop has two Councellors. There is no difference in the authority of his Councillors. The 2d has as much authority as the first. A Bishop should have his Councilers with him on the trial of a case in order to make it Legal as it takes three to make a Quorum.
The High Priest Could organize the Church in all its parts if all other Authorities were dead for they have the Melchezedek Priesthood out of which grow all of the Higher offices of the Church.
An Apostle is the highest office in the Church & kingdom of God. Joseph Smith was a Prophet Seer & Revelator before he was baptized or ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood or had any Authority to administer one of the ordinances of the house of the Lord. He was afterwords ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood then to the Melchezedek Priesthood & Apostleship which is the highest office in the Church & kingdom of God on Earth. When a man is ordained to the Apostleship & keys thereoff if he dies in faith He will hold those keys to all Eternity. All the Prophets Patriarchs & Apostles who ever did or ever will hold the keys of the Apostleship if faithful unto death will hold them forever.
Presidet Young was an Elder when he was ordained to be one of the Twelve Apostles. Some asked the Question how He could officiate as an High Priest not having previously been ordained a High Priest. Joseph Said the Apostleship covered all the offices of the High Priesthood the same as a private member ordained a High Priest Could officiate as a Deacon Teacher Priest or Elder.
Presidet Young said "I ordained most of the two or three first Quorums of the Seventies and Joseph gave me vary particular instructions to ordain them all High Priests which I did. When a man is ordained an High Priest Seventy or one of the Twelve He Can officiate in all the lesser offices of the Church whether He has been ordained to that office or not.
When I met with the Saints in Nauvoo at the first meeting after Josephs death in defending the true organization against Sidney Rigdon I had it in my mind all the time that there would have to be a Presidency of three Appointed but I knew the people Could not bear it at the time and on our return as the pioneers from the valley I Broached the subject first to Brother Woodruff and afterwords to the rest of the Quorum. They received it & finally sustained it.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
A Quorum of /70/ Apostles when united are Equal in authority to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
The Twelve Apostles or traveling Council are to be special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world. They are Equal in authority in there decissions to the Presidency of the Church. They are to preside in all the world whare the three first Presidency are not.
The three first Presidency Preside over the whole Church & administer in all the ordinances of the Church which Consists of a Presidet & his two Councellors.
The President of the Church holds the keys of the sealing powers & his Council act in Concert with him [in] all things.
Should the Presidency die The Twelve Could organize another Presidency & should the Presidency & Twelve all be slain the Seventies being Equal in power & Authority to the Twelve or first Presidency Could organize both Quorums.
A Bishop has two Councellors. There is no difference in the authority of his Councillors. The 2d has as much authority as the first. A Bishop should have his Councilers with him on the trial of a case in order to make it Legal as it takes three to make a Quorum.
The High Priest Could organize the Church in all its parts if all other Authorities were dead for they have the Melchezedek Priesthood out of which grow all of the Higher offices of the Church.
An Apostle is the highest office in the Church & kingdom of God. Joseph Smith was a Prophet Seer & Revelator before he was baptized or ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood or had any Authority to administer one of the ordinances of the house of the Lord. He was afterwords ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood then to the Melchezedek Priesthood & Apostleship which is the highest office in the Church & kingdom of God on Earth. When a man is ordained to the Apostleship & keys thereoff if he dies in faith He will hold those keys to all Eternity. All the Prophets Patriarchs & Apostles who ever did or ever will hold the keys of the Apostleship if faithful unto death will hold them forever.
Presidet Young was an Elder when he was ordained to be one of the Twelve Apostles. Some asked the Question how He could officiate as an High Priest not having previously been ordained a High Priest. Joseph Said the Apostleship covered all the offices of the High Priesthood the same as a private member ordained a High Priest Could officiate as a Deacon Teacher Priest or Elder.
Presidet Young said "I ordained most of the two or three first Quorums of the Seventies and Joseph gave me vary particular instructions to ordain them all High Priests which I did. When a man is ordained an High Priest Seventy or one of the Twelve He Can officiate in all the lesser offices of the Church whether He has been ordained to that office or not.
When I met with the Saints in Nauvoo at the first meeting after Josephs death in defending the true organization against Sidney Rigdon I had it in my mind all the time that there would have to be a Presidency of three Appointed but I knew the people Could not bear it at the time and on our return as the pioneers from the valley I Broached the subject first to Brother Woodruff and afterwords to the rest of the Quorum. They received it & finally sustained it.
[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 - 1845 28 Jul.
Jonathan Dunham, despondent about disobeying Joseph Smith's orders to rescue him from jail, commits suicide. Later disclosures indicate that Dunham, who was a captain of Nauvoo's police, major-general of the Nauvoo Legion, and a Council of Fifty member, accomplished the suicide by asking a native American friend (Lewis Dana, fellow member of the Fifty) to "kill and bury him."
[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 - Jul 28, 1845
Patriarchal Blessing of Rachael Sirrine given by William Smith ... I now seal upon thy head that is after the power of an endless life; a glorious immortality and a name written even golden letters in the archives of heaven enrolled upon sacred records deposited in the temple of God in the holiest of all, for it shall be given unto thee to live to see the prosperity and glory of Zion until her perfection and beauty shall go forth as a Lamp that burneth the Saints receive their enduement [endowment] and then shalt thou explore every apartment of the house of the Lord ... and him who has been appointed as thy companion here on earth shall prove thy Savior and thy Deliverer on Mount Zion and he shall preside over thee and great shall be his reward in the kingdom of heaven ... thou shalt shine forth as one of the Stars of the firmament, and none shall outshine thee in all their glory for with Angels thy voice shall be heard and that too with praises and Hossannas [Hosannas] to the most
high God ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
high God ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
185 years ago today - Jul 28, 1840
"There is a tradition among some of the descendants of Levi Hancock that Mrs. Hancock was sealed to Joseph Smith in Nauvoo and that one of her sons may have been his child. Since there seems to be no printed or manuscript evidence to support this story, however, it must be taken with considerable reserve."
[Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
[Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
10 years ago today - 2015 July 27
The LDS Church is "deeply troubled" and re-evaluates its scouting program, as the Boy Scouts of America permits openly gay scout leaders.
[Wikipedia, 21st Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_century_(Mormonism)]
[Wikipedia, 21st Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_century_(Mormonism)]
110 years ago today - Jul 27, 1915
Revolutionary followers of Emiliano Zapata execute Mexican branch president Rafael Monroy and Vincente Morales, also LDS, after each tells Zapatistas: "I cannot renounce my religion."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
110 years ago today - Jul 27, 1915
The revolutionary followers of Emiliano Zapata execute Mexican branch president Rafael Monroy and Vincente Morales, also LDS, after each tells the Zapatistas: "I cannot renounce my religion."
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
125 years ago today - Jul 27, 1900; Friday
Mr. McCune sent for Brother Whitney this morning and informed him that during the last fourteen months he had paid out of his private purse $56,000. to meet the expenses incurred in running the Salt Lake Herald; that his experience in politics has brought anything but pleasure to himself and family, but he had now concluded to withdraw from them (i.e. politics and the newspaper business) and to cease paying out any more money to keep the Herald alive; in fact, he had decided to cease entirely after meeting this week's payroll, which would amount to about $1,000. He fully realized that the downfall of the Herald would be a great triumph for the Salt Lake Tribune, and he asked Brother Horace G. Whitney to wait upon the First Presidency and inform them in confidence of what he proposed to do, and to say to them that if they could see their way clear to continue the publication of the Herald in connection with the News, he would turn it over to anybody among the loyal democrats who
would be willing to form themselves into a company for the purpose of continuing its publication with the understanding however, that its expenses be met by them.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
would be willing to form themselves into a company for the purpose of continuing its publication with the understanding however, that its expenses be met by them.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
165 years ago today - Jul 27, 1860
Presidet Young read me a letter from Bishop Maughn Stating that there had been a fracus with the Indian. The Brethren had taken a one eyed Indian prisioner for Stealing and several Indians Came down to liberate him. The Indian started to run & the guard shot him dead. The other Indians shot at the guard & killed a Brother Reed & mortally wounded Samuel Cousins through the lungs. The Indians then took to the mountains & found two Merrils getting wood. They shot Ira Merrill dead & his Brother badly wounded. They took some Indians prisioners. The rest gathered their forces & Came down to liberate them & they met 100 rifles. They then held a Council. The Indians then agreed to go & get those who had shot the white men & bring them in & put them to death & make pease.
[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]
20 years ago today - Jul 26, 2005
SALT LAKE TRIBUNE article "Keeping members a challenge for LDS church" opens with, "The claim that Mormonism is the fastest-growing faith in the world has been repeated so routinely by sociologists, anthropologists, journalists and proud Latter-day Saints as to be perceived as unassailable fact. The trouble is, it isn't true."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
125 years ago today - Thursday, Jul 26, 1900
Pres. Cannon also stated that Pres. J. F. Smith had been appointed by Pres. Snow to visit Mexico and investigate matters pertaining to the B. Y. Academy Scientific Expedition to South America, the expedition now being somewhere in the neighborhood of Nogales, Mexico..
[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]
155 years ago today - Jul 26, 1870
Apostle Joseph F. Smith performs proxy sealing of Scotland's Queen Maude (or Matilda. b. 1104) as eternal wife to martyred prophet Joseph Smith. Similar ordinances are performed by Apostle Wilford Woodruff on Sept 5, for eight political heroines or female rulers including Charlotte Corday (who murdered the radical Marat during the French Revolution) and Empress Josephine (wife of Napoleon). On Sept. 15 second counselor Daniel H. Wells seals two Catholic saints as wives to founding Mormon prophet: Saint Helena (mother of Roman emperor Constantine) and Saint Theresa (b. 1515 in Spain). These are first women of international prominence sealed as wives to Joseph Smith, but during fifty years after his death hundreds of deceased women are similarly joined to him, even though many had husbands during their lifetimes.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
155 years ago today - Jul 26, 1870
Apostle Joseph F. Smith performs the proxy sealing of Scotland's Queen Maud (or Matilda, b. 1104) as an eternal wife to the martyred prophet Joseph Smith. Similar ordinances are performed by the Apostle Wilford Woodruff on 5 Sept. for eight political heroines or female rulers including Charlotte Corday (who murdered the radical Marat during the French Revolution) and Empress Josephine (wife of Napoleon). On 15 Sept. second counselor Daniel H. Wells seals two Catholic saints as wives to founding Mormon prophet: Saint Helena (mother of the Roman emperor Constantine) and Saint Theresa (b. 1515 in Spain). These are the first women of international prominence sealed as wives to Joseph Smith, but during fifty years after his death hundreds of deceased women are similarly joined to him, even though many had husbands during their lifetimes.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
160 years ago today - Jul 26, 1865 (Wednesday)
The Indians attacked Glenwood, Sevier Co., Utah, wounded a man and drove off nearly all the stock belonging to the settlement.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
75 years ago today - Jul 25, 1950
[David O. McKay]
At 3 p.m. Pres. Smith, Pres. Clark, and I met with Ernest L. Wilkinson on the proposition of his being appointed president of the Brigham Young Univ. There is no doubt but that Ernest Wilkinson has the right viewpoint of the mission of the Brigham Young University, especially with regard to its mission and the preaching of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. He senses clearly the fact that every department in the school should, as he stated, "be impregnated" with the spirit of the gospel, and that the teachings of the principles of the gospel should not be confined to a Theological Department with other departments feeling that they are estranged therefor. Brother Wilkinson is a clear thinker; he makes no pretense to having had any experience in school management; he possesses outstanding ability, which I believe he can direct towards a good organization. On the whole I was favorably impressed with him and earnestly hope and pray that he will succeed.
[McKay, David O., Office Journal]
At 3 p.m. Pres. Smith, Pres. Clark, and I met with Ernest L. Wilkinson on the proposition of his being appointed president of the Brigham Young Univ. There is no doubt but that Ernest Wilkinson has the right viewpoint of the mission of the Brigham Young University, especially with regard to its mission and the preaching of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. He senses clearly the fact that every department in the school should, as he stated, "be impregnated" with the spirit of the gospel, and that the teachings of the principles of the gospel should not be confined to a Theological Department with other departments feeling that they are estranged therefor. Brother Wilkinson is a clear thinker; he makes no pretense to having had any experience in school management; he possesses outstanding ability, which I believe he can direct towards a good organization. On the whole I was favorably impressed with him and earnestly hope and pray that he will succeed.
[McKay, David O., Office Journal]
85 years ago today - Jul 25, 1940
[Heber J. Grant]
We met Reed Smoot and his wife ... Reed is so thoroughly forgotten now. It is a case of 'gratitude is a lively sense of favors to come.' When Reed was a Senator working for everyone he was one of the most popular Senators in the United States. Today there is very little attention given to him.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
We met Reed Smoot and his wife ... Reed is so thoroughly forgotten now. It is a case of 'gratitude is a lively sense of favors to come.' When Reed was a Senator working for everyone he was one of the most popular Senators in the United States. Today there is very little attention given to him.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
100 years ago today - Jul 25, 1925
[Heber J. Grant presidency]
.... Whenever possible brethren should be ordained Elders before coming to the temple for endowments. ... Sisters married to non-members should not be recommended to the temple to receive endowments. ...
[Heber J. Grant, Anthony W. Ivins, and Charles W. Nibley to B. H. Roberts, July 25, 1925, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
.... Whenever possible brethren should be ordained Elders before coming to the temple for endowments. ... Sisters married to non-members should not be recommended to the temple to receive endowments. ...
[Heber J. Grant, Anthony W. Ivins, and Charles W. Nibley to B. H. Roberts, July 25, 1925, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
155 years ago today - Jul 25, 1870
[Brigham Young]
While I am making my remarks I sincerely request the attention of the congregation; I desire them to keep silence, let there be no whispering, nor talking to each other, nor moving of feet; and if the babies can outnoise me, why it will be because my lungs have grown weak. ... . While on our way to the Missouri river some kind of a spirit; whether it was intuitive knowledge, prescience or promptness of intellect, no matter. Something told me, that the government of the United States would make a demand on the camp of Israel for troops to go into the Mexican war. If the God of Heaven did not reveal it to me I should like to know who did. ... if the Government of the United States hunt us here and afflict our families while we are gone to find an asylum for them, I will hunt them all the rest of my life, so help me God.'" (Applause.) ... [The Mormon Battalion] fought no battles in all their career. But they were the first ones that ever raised the American flag on Mexican territory
and preserved it there. (Applause.) ... I will say right here that of all men who ever did live upon the earth lawyers are the worst. Doctors and priests are bad enough, but lawyers will ruin everybody and send all to hell. They are the worst and the most unfit for human society of any beings that live... could we not live as other men do? Is it not my privilege to lead about a wife or a sister, a neighbor's wife or any female as much as any other man's? Certainly; but when I do it, I do it legally and lawfully, not clandestinely. This is the curse that is upon this nation, and one of the greatest curses in the sight of heaven and justice that now rests on the United States. It is their abuse of females; millions of them are wasted. According to their own showing thousands of females have perished in the streets of New York since we have been in these valleys, proba- bly double and almost treble the entire number of females we have in this Territory...
[Manuscript Addresses of Brigham Young. 7 Vols. Elden J. Watson, ed. Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1979-84. 6:30-35, 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]
While I am making my remarks I sincerely request the attention of the congregation; I desire them to keep silence, let there be no whispering, nor talking to each other, nor moving of feet; and if the babies can outnoise me, why it will be because my lungs have grown weak. ... . While on our way to the Missouri river some kind of a spirit; whether it was intuitive knowledge, prescience or promptness of intellect, no matter. Something told me, that the government of the United States would make a demand on the camp of Israel for troops to go into the Mexican war. If the God of Heaven did not reveal it to me I should like to know who did. ... if the Government of the United States hunt us here and afflict our families while we are gone to find an asylum for them, I will hunt them all the rest of my life, so help me God.'" (Applause.) ... [The Mormon Battalion] fought no battles in all their career. But they were the first ones that ever raised the American flag on Mexican territory
and preserved it there. (Applause.) ... I will say right here that of all men who ever did live upon the earth lawyers are the worst. Doctors and priests are bad enough, but lawyers will ruin everybody and send all to hell. They are the worst and the most unfit for human society of any beings that live... could we not live as other men do? Is it not my privilege to lead about a wife or a sister, a neighbor's wife or any female as much as any other man's? Certainly; but when I do it, I do it legally and lawfully, not clandestinely. This is the curse that is upon this nation, and one of the greatest curses in the sight of heaven and justice that now rests on the United States. It is their abuse of females; millions of them are wasted. According to their own showing thousands of females have perished in the streets of New York since we have been in these valleys, proba- bly double and almost treble the entire number of females we have in this Territory...
[Manuscript Addresses of Brigham Young. 7 Vols. Elden J. Watson, ed. Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1979-84. 6:30-35, 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]
165 years ago today - Jul 25, 1860
One of Presidents Youngs waggons was turned over into the Big Cotton wood. It turned twice over with two women & several Children. One woman was hurt in the sholder. One Child Came near drowning.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Jul 25, 1845
[Patriarchal Blessings]
Patriarchal Blessing of Vienna Jacques Shearer Smith(?) given by William Smith ... in peace thou shalt sit down in Zion & walk her streets unmolested and with Joseph[']s remnants thy Salvation shall be greatly extolled for as one of the seed of Joseph thou shall be numbered with the 144,000 partaking of the power and glory of the Priesthood of those who are called the honored ones of the earth ... & thy Soul shall enter into perfect rest and with loud Hossannas [Hosannas] to God & the Lamb exclaim it is enough my Soul is full and thou shalt be rewarded and thy reward is great and all thy past afflictions and scenes of sorrow and grief shall be forgotten ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
Patriarchal Blessing of Vienna Jacques Shearer Smith(?) given by William Smith ... in peace thou shalt sit down in Zion & walk her streets unmolested and with Joseph[']s remnants thy Salvation shall be greatly extolled for as one of the seed of Joseph thou shall be numbered with the 144,000 partaking of the power and glory of the Priesthood of those who are called the honored ones of the earth ... & thy Soul shall enter into perfect rest and with loud Hossannas [Hosannas] to God & the Lamb exclaim it is enough my Soul is full and thou shalt be rewarded and thy reward is great and all thy past afflictions and scenes of sorrow and grief shall be forgotten ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - Jul 25, 1845
July 25 1845 Friday Joseph Woodruffs [b.18 Jul 1845 - d.12 Nov 1846] Blessing received under the Hands of his Father Wilford Woodruff ... I seal thee against the power of Death sickness & the destroyer untill thy work is finished ... Thou shalt lay thy hands upon the heads of thy Father and Mother in their old age and bless them & thou shalt be a Comfort unto them. Thou shalt be Baptized the day thou art eight years of age ...
I ordain the to be a High Priest after the order of Melchisedic ... when thou shalt arive to years of accountability & discretion thou shalt have power to administer in the ordinances thereof..
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I ordain the to be a High Priest after the order of Melchisedic ... when thou shalt arive to years of accountability & discretion thou shalt have power to administer in the ordinances thereof..
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
185 years ago today - Jul 25, 1840
A Dr. John C. Bennett writes to the Saints stating his intention to move to Nauvoo and join the Saints. He will later become an influential member of the Church. He has the reputation of being both a genius and an imposter. In addition to being a professor, a preacher, a doctor, and a military leader, he is also claimed to be an abortionist, a wife deserter, and a traitor. When he gains Joseph's confidence, he helps draft the Nauvoo charter and push its passage through legislature, shows him how to drain the Nauvoo swamps, and administers quinine to the sick of Nauvoo, thus saving many lives. He later writes one of the most famous exposes against the Saints. In writing to Joseph a second time he states that "wealth is no material object with me. I desire to be happy."
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology; History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 4:169-70.]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology; History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 4:169-70.]
190 years ago today - Late July, 1835
[Joseph Smith]
"The remainder of this month, I was continually engaged in translating an alphabet of the Book of Abraham, and arranging a grammar of the Egyptian language as practiced by the ancients."
[Joseph Smith's Diary Statements Regarding Translation of His Egyptian Papyri and the Book of Abraham, Instutite for Religious Research]
"The remainder of this month, I was continually engaged in translating an alphabet of the Book of Abraham, and arranging a grammar of the Egyptian language as practiced by the ancients."
[Joseph Smith's Diary Statements Regarding Translation of His Egyptian Papyri and the Book of Abraham, Instutite for Religious Research]
195 years ago today - Jul 25, 1830
Joseph Smith receives a revelation instructing missionaries to curse those who will not listen to them: "And in whatsoever place ye shall enter, and they receive you not, in my name, ye shall leave a cursing instead of a blessing, by casting off the dust of your feet against them as a testimony, and cleansing your feet by the wayside"
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
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