65 years ago today - Jul 12, 1960

LDS poet Carol Lynn Pearson writes in her journal: "I've read every scripture regarding woman that is mentioned in the standard works. Each one only upsets me more; I don't mean casually bothers me, I mean upsets the very core of my nature."

[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

90 years ago today - Jul 12, 1935

[David O. McKay]

.... Brother 'J' is right in classifying adultery as a heinous sin, but he is wrong in saying that 'a person can never repent of this, and that he or she cannot undo this sin.' See Doctrine and Covenants, section 42.

The sister to whom you refer should not worry. If she has truly repented she will not be separated from her children and husband. Brother 'J' is probably guided in his assumption by an alleged remark printed in the Compendium, page 280, but this alleged saying of the Prophet must not be construed to contradict the revelations of the Lord.

[David O. McKay, Letter to Mrs. Henry Price, 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 - Thursday, Jul 12, 1900

[Rudger Clawson]

.... A letter from Elder David H. Cannon, pres. [of the] St. George Temple, was read by the clerk. In speaking of ordinance work, said they were in bad condition, as most of their workers were aged men. He wanted some advice in regard to the matter. It was moved and carried that the president of the St. George Temple be authorized to call upon the stakes in that temple district to furnish young, able-bodied, competent men as missionaries to work in the temple from one to two years.

A tabulated report showing the number of elders in the field and the number of conversions made by them was submitted by Pres. Cannon. The deduction to be drawn from the report was that in view of the large numbers of the elders out, the conversions were few, and it seemed to be the mind of the brethren that a retrenchment was needful in the matter of missionary calls.

...The tables were then spread with bread and wine and the sacrament was administered. Pres. J. F. Smith was mouth in blessing the bread and wine. At the conclusion Apostle F. M. Lyman offered the benediction.

[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 - Jul 12, 1900; Thursday

[Brigham Young Jr.]

Pres[iden]ts [George Q.] Cannon & [Joseph F.] Smith came in at 11 a.m. Business was transacted. Document of succession to presidency was read by Bro[ther] [George F.] Gibbs the question between Bro[ther]. Jos[eph] F. [Smith] & I was decided that no man could date his position in Quorum from ordination but from the time that he was received in to the quorum. This puts Jos[eph]. F. Smith ahead of me in the quorum. I am thankful this question is settled. I tried to get Father to settle it but he said when I broached the subject "It is just right the way it is, and you let it alone." I never dared to bring it up again, tho[ugh]' Bro[ther]. [Orson] Pratt & others made me feel bad at times because of their remarks.

[Brigham Young Jr., Diary]

130 years ago today - Jul 12, 1895

[Franklin D. Richards]

Br[other] Ben Lloyd informs me that John H. Smith has been sowing the seeds of discontent with Sisters ZD Young & Bathsheba W. Smith while away with the old folks party yesterday.

[Diary Excerpts of Franklin D. Richards, 1887-1897, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

150 years ago today - Jul 12, 1875

In England missionary and future apostle John Henry Smith dreams "that Prest. J[oseph] F. Smith and I and some others took tea with the Prince of Wales and wife in one of the Palaces in London."

[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

130 years ago today - Jul 13, 1895

At Utah Democratic convention, "women are delegates in about equal number with men."

[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

145 years ago today - Jul 13, 1880

[Wilford Woodruff]

I spent 4 hours at the Council House with Presidt Taylor J. F. Smith & A Carrington in hearing a Case of seduction & Adultery. A man Committed Adultery with two married women And the Husband of one of the women shot him dead and was tryed by a jury and Cleared And a Brother of the two Husbands of the two women also Committed Adultery with the two women and both of the men who were innocent got a Bill of Divorce from their wives. It was a vary grieveious Affair. They all Confessed their Sins and forgave Each other and were to be Baptized for the remission of their sins.

[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

160 years ago today - Jul 13, 1865

[Brigham Young]

[W]hen this world was first made it was in a close proximity to God. When man sinned it was hurled millions of miles away from its first position and that was why it was called the Fall.

[Diary of Charles Lowell Walker. Andrew Karl Larson, ed. Logan: Utah State University Press, 1980. 233-34, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]

170 years ago today - Jul 13, 1855

Apostle Ezra T. Benson preaches in Provo: "I have a little Indian boy and girl, and certainly it is repugnant to my feelings to have to put up with their dirty practices, but I have passed a great many of these things by; and this I have done because I knew what our duties were. In a short season we shall be rewarded for all that we do to civilize this lost and fallen race. The little boy will soon be quite bright, his mind is becoming clear and perceptive, and if he sees a horse, a man, or any other object, he will always remember them. True, he yet has some of his Indian traits, and I presume it will be some time before they are all, erased from his memory."

[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

75 years ago today - Jul 11, 1950

[J. Reuben Clark]

[In conversation with Emily Smith Stewart about her father:] I pointed out that there were two sorts of problems that came before us: the problems of individuals and the problems of the church. I felt myself that the problems of the Church were sufficient to absorb our energies, and that the individual problems ought to be left for others; but that President Smith enjoyed meeting people, he loved them and they loved him, and so a part of his energy is taken up in that.

I stated that I had observed when President Smith went to these functions that he was exhilarated during the time of the function and perhaps a day thereafter, but that then he usually had a period of weariness which it took him several days to get over.

She said that she wished that at the next Conference they could have somebody stationed at the house to sort of keep people away. She said that they had many people come to the house. I told her that surely that could be arranged: she could have somebody there that could act as a sort of guard and filter.

[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]

125 years ago today - Jul 11, 1900

At meeting of First Presidency and Twelve, "Apostle M. W. Merrill related a dream or vision given to Brother [Samuel] Roskelly in the Logan Temple during the "raid" when the enemy threatened to search our temples. A personage, who in appearance was seven or eight feet tall, appeared to him and said that he was once a Nephite warrior and that he had come to defend the temple. He assured Brother Roskelly that the enemy would not be permitted to enter the house of the Lord. Apostle Merrill said that later on a bitter anti-Mormon by the name of [Charles C.] Goodwin and several others organized a "raid" on the temple, but through fear abandoned their project."

[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

125 years ago today - Wednesday, Jul 11, 1900

It was moved and carried that Pres. Snow be asked to provide a suitable receptacle for church relics and that the same as fast as gathered be deposited in the temple. Benediction by Apostle M. F. Cowley.

[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 - Jul 11, 1900; Wednesday

[Brigham Young Jr.]

Excellent meetings and I am sure that the Quorum is thoroughly united. It seems a little difficult for the brethren to define just how much they shall recognise me as president of the Twelve not all of them pray for "President [Brigham] Young [Jr.]" but lump me with the quorum after pleading earnestly for the first Presidency. I am not worthy of the honor I already have from the Lord. I consider that Bro[ther]. Jos[eph]. F. Smith is a far better man that I have ever been. I have done many foolish nearly wicked things--acts, that I am sorry for and have repented of. God has not thrown me away--borne with all patience my sins of omission & commission for he does manifest by His spirit His will unto me frequently, hence I know that my prayers are heard, and I weep with joy to know that He has not forsake me. How Gracious how kind to me a sinner. I could never have kept my covenants but He came to my rescue and I was saved from plunging into a fathomless depths; all praise &
thanksgiving to the majesty on high who has redeemed my soul form despair. Help

me Lord to show my gratitude every hour of my life—existence.

[Brigham Young Jr., Diary]

165 years ago today - Jul 11, 1860

Deseret News favorably reports lynching of horse-thief A.B. Baker by posse deputized to arrest him. He is "buried by those who thus meted out to him summary justice, not exactly according to law, but upon a more speedy, economical and salutary principle..." In territorial Utah, there are eleven judicial excutions, and the same number of lynchings by mobs (primarily Mormon).

[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]

165 years ago today - Jul 11, 1860

DESERET NEWS favorably reports lynching of horse-thief A.B. Baker by possee deputized to arrest him. He is "buried by those who thus meted out to him summary justice not exactly according to law, but upon a more speedy, economical and salutary principle. . ." In territorial Utah, there are eleven judicial executions, and same number of lynchings by mobs (primarily Mormons).

175 years ago today - Jul 11, 1850

[Wilford Woodruff]

11th Elder L. Hardy was sick. I laid Hands upon him & He was Healed. I had two Teamsters whose names was Graham. Their conduct was disgraceful in evry sense of the word. They would steal, lie, sware, & do almost evry evil thing in their power And we came to the conclusion to Cast the Family out of Camp, for their wickedness.

[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

175 years ago today - Jul 11, 1850

John Taylor flat out lies in public debate in France, condemns polygamy, says not doctrine or legal, yet he had a dozen wives at the time, knew Church practiced it. He later he published the debate to promote missionary efforts in England.

[Chronology of Mormon History, http://followtheprophets.com/chronology-of-mormon-history/]

75 years ago today - Jul 10, 1950

[David O. McKay]

President Smith, in conversation regarding the B.Y.U. Presidency, expressed himself as looking with disfavor upon the appointment of Ernest Wilkinson as President of the Brigham Young University if Wilkinson's suit with the government is not yet consummated.

[David O. McKay Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]

115 years ago today - Jul 10, 1910

[George Albert Smith]

"I have prayed to the Lord for deliverance from my affliction..."

[Journals of George Albert Smith]

125 years ago today - Tuesday, Jul 10, 1900

Apostle Brigham Young read from a report furnished by Elder Geo. Reynolds, as follows: the number of converts (adult) made by the 1900 elders in the field in 1899 was 4100, or a fraction over 2 converts to an elder. The cost of keeping the elders in the field—including transportation, cost of living, and value of time, amounted to $950,000 per annum, or in other words, the cost of making each convert was $250.

This idea was brought out in the discussion that followed, namely, that while the expense of converting the people of the world was great, it should be remembered that much good comes to our young men who take missions, for in this way many of them obtain a testimony of the truth of the gospel. Notwithstanding this and other considerations, it was thought by some of the brethren that the missionary work was being overdone.

[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]

150 years ago today - 1875. July 10

(Martin Harris) : Died at the age of ninety-two in Clarkston, Utah. Buried in the Clarkston Cemetery with a Book of Mormon in his right hand and a Doctrine and Covenants in his left.

[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

155 years ago today - Jul 10, 1870

[Brigham Young]

I defy all the spiritualists in the world to make a table move or get a Communication from Hell or the spirit world while I am present. I lay hands upon the sick. I expet them to be healed & virtue goes out of me & it did out of Jesus Christ when the woman touched him. All may not be healed that I lay hands upon, but many are healed.

[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

75 years ago today - Jul 9, 1950

[Spencer W. Kimball]

[Regarding his tour of the Intermountain Indian School in Brigham City, Utah:] It is an extravagant plant. It makes my heart heavy to see so much money spent so lavishly upon so few when there are so many Indian children who need training. It is my conviction that the millions could be distributed so much more equitably and spread farther through a program of Government subsidy to the State Schools who would educate all the Indian children in public schools.

[Spencer W. Kimball Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]

95 years ago today - Jul 9, 1930

[Heber J. Grant]

Today, after coming from the temple meeting, I met George H. Norman, who told me that Brother Henry Moray was trying to persuade one of his daughters to enter into so-called plural marriage with him. I explained to him and his daughter the attitude of the Church in regard to such things.

[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

130 years ago today - Jul 9, 1895

[Brigham Young Jr.]

When at the Z[ion's]. S[avings]. Bank Sister Wells approached me, she being one of the very active ladies among the womens rights & democrats, and quietly whispered in my ear, we are talking of putting you in nomination for Governor of the new state. It is the second time this has been said to me the first were Repub[lican]. I know not what my brethren think but my mind is clear, I would not submit my name to either party to be made President of the United States. So much good & so much bad figure together in politics now a days that the dose seems too drastic for an honest man to swallow unbiased by the prevailing spirit in politics. Good honest men shout themselves hoarse with urging party cries but it is not the calm sober spirit of God that makes howling maniacs of High Priests, Seventies, elders and teachers of the pure religion of the Meek and lowly Jesus. In the name of God what spirit has take[n] possession of your house, that your howling rends the air and makes night
hideous in Zion. Hasten Father in heaven to develop[e] in the minds of thy people the pure politics of the Kingdom of God that we go no more whoring after the digenerate spirit of the heathen, who call themselves christians.

[Brigham Young Jr. Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]

155 years ago today - Saturday July 9, 1870

[Payson School of the Prophets]

.... Prest Fairbanks introduced the subject of cooperation. Said we had commenced with merchandizing and now we want to branch out into more important matters. In Payson we are organizing a cooperative dairy and stock raising company. Believed we could cooperate in agriculture to better advantage than anything else.

Elder J. F. Bellows advocated the doctrine. Elder Mayer also spoke in favor of cooperative farming. Elder S. Worsencroft was an advocate of cooperation in every kind of business.

Elder Markham said if we want to know how to cooperate in a way pleasing to God all we have to do is to examine the Doctrine & Covenants - the order of Enoch is what we are tending to - that is the perfect system. Elders Crook & J. W. Huish spoke in favor of cooperation.

Elder S. P. Stark could see that until our interests are one we can never be united. Elder T. E. Daniels said if we go into cooperation we may expect opposition which is a proof that it is right.

The devil is opposed to cooperation because it means union and strength, and if carried out will defeat his designs. The authorities of the church are ready to lead out in this thing as soon as they can see that the people are willing.

[A Record of Sayings and Doings in the School of the Prophets, organized by President Brigham Young September 19, 1868, In Payson City, Utah County, U.T., typescript by Michael Nielsen]

170 years ago today - Jul 9, 1855

James Strang assassinated by disaffected followers.

[Chronology of Mormon History, http://followtheprophets.com/chronology-of-mormon-history/]

180 years ago today - Jul 9, 1845

[Heber C. Kimball]

W. Richards sent fore me to Lay hands on his wife. She appeared as though she was diing. At about 10 in the Morning I went thare again to clothe and pray for hur again. Present G. A. Smith, Levi Richards, John Smith, J. Tailor. We praied after the Holy Order and annointed her. She died in about half an hour after, this was in the fore part of the day.

[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]

180 years ago today - Jul 9, 1845

Brigham Young and the rest of the Twelve give a banquet for William Smith, his daughters and new bride, and every other living member and spouse of the extended Smith family. William gives this after-dinner toast: "In the name and in behalf of all my relatives here assembled, the whole Smith family, I present my thanks to the President [Brigham Young] and Bishops for the kind manifestation of their good feelings toward the remnants of that family." The church's New York Messenger prints a full description of this dinner as a refutation that there is "a division of the House of the Lord," referring to stories in New York newspapers about the disaffection of Emma Smith and William. William is dropped from the Quorum of Apostles and excommunicated three months later.

[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

185 years ago today - Jul 9, 1840

Wilford Woodruff writes from England of his dealings with a sect called The United Brethren: "I also baptized about forty preachers of the same order, and several others belonging unto other churches, and about one hundred and twenty members of the United Brethren, which opened about forty doors or preaching places, where the fullness of the Gospel would meet a welcome reception, and all this during the term of one month and five days."

[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

50 years ago today - Jul 8, 1975-Wednesday

[Leonard Arrington]

Today in our executives meeting Elder [Joseph] Anderson told us some stories about Heber J. Grant. He said he had a reputation of being a kind of a spendthrift. Actually he spent very little on himself. Most of his spending was to help out friends and loved ones that he felt needed help. He paid off many widows' mortgages that Brother Anderson has knowledge of, he helped support children in school of dear friends, he supported some persons in business deals that were not good risks yet he wanted to help out the person out of friendship.

When President Grant was old, he needed to have a prostate operation. No doctor in Salt Lake City wanted to do it because those operations still involved a certain risk and nobody wanted to do it on the president of the Church, so he went to the Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago. The doctor there, a Jewish doctor, performed the operation and then sent him a bill for $2,500. That was a large sum of money in those days. President Grant directed Brother Anderson to write a letter for his signature saying that he supposed the doctor would presume him to be a wealthy man. There were lots of flowers sent by his business associates, he arrived in a fine chauffeured car, he was the director of Union Pacific Railroad and so on. Actually, however, he was not a wealthy person. He sent along his own personal accounts to show that he was not a wealthy person. The doctor considering this knocked $1,000 off the bill and charged him only $1,500. Later on during the depression of the
1930s, U and I Sugar stock got down to 13M-BM-" per share-not $13 but 13M-BM-" per share. President Grant was able to buy up considerable quantities of stock at that price. As time went on the stock went up and up and up. President Grant's normal procedure was to hold onto stock, but this time he decided to sell a quantity and Rio Grande Railroad entered bankruptcy in 1934, he was appointed a co-trustee to lead the company back into the black. of it and made a substantial profit. Having made the profit he then wrote to the doctor in Chicago saying that he had been a person of modest means, but now he was better able to pay and sent him back a check for $1,000. President Grant was an honest person in his business dealings and went out of his way to satisfy every person as fully as he could.

[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]

165 years ago today - Jul 8, 1860

Brigham Young preaches, "Children are now born who will live until every son of Adam will have the privilege of receiving the principles of eternal life." He also preaches, "The birth of the Saviour was as natural as are the births of our chilren; it was the result of natural action." Traditional Christians are infuriated by this rejection (dating to 24 July 1853) of the Virgin Birth and Young's assertion that God has a body capable of sexual intercourse. Repeated publication of such assaults on Christian orthodoxy leads to near hysteria in Protestant rhetoric against Mormons.

[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]

170 years ago today - Jul 8, 1855

[Minutes of the Apostles]

B Y[:] I would turn out half a dozen boys with lariats & they wo[ul]d. have used up [killed] all the Soldiers. I have told them once [and] for all. Every L D S [is] not to admit any Officer or Soldier into his house' ... We have got to restore the purity of the body in order to receive the Priesthood in its fullness. In Baltimore they kill their children & are mad at us for raising the children. [W]e are at war with the whole of them. [T]hey have done every thing they could to kill us. [T]hey have got to let us alone or they will get into Trouble. ... -I told him [Judge Kinny] death would be the result if he did not let my concerns alone. ...

[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]

170 years ago today - Jul 8, 1855

[Brigham Young Sermon]

.... If you and I could live in the flesh until that Kingdom is fully established, and actually spread abroad to rule in a temporal point of view, we should find that it will sustain and uphold every individual in what they deem their individual rights, so far as they do not infringe upon the rights of their fellow creatures. For instance, if the Kingdom of God was now established upon the continent of North and South America, and actually held rule and dominion over what we call the United States, the Methodist would be protected just as much as the Latter-day Saints; the Friend Quakers, the Shaking Quakers, and the members of every religious denomination would be sustained in what they considered to be their rights, so far as their notions were not incompatible with the laws of the Kingdom. ... It was asked this morning how we could obtain redress for our wrongs; I will tell you how it could be done, we could take the same law they have taken, viz., mobocracy, and if any
miserable scoundrels come here, cut their throats. (All the people said, Amen.) ...

[Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 2:309-317, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]

170 years ago today - Jul 8, 1855

[Brigham Young]

In the afternoon President Young Addressed the people upon the subject of the Gentiles Coming to Zion and interfering with our institutions polluting our females & committing abominations in Israel. He declared they should be put to death if they followed it any more. -- SLC Tabernacle

[Wilford Woodruff's Journal. 9 Vols. Scott G. Kenney, ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1983-85. 4:331, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]

170 years ago today - Jul 8, 1855

I am the Governor still, and who can help it. It was stenotyped and sent forth to the world that Sebastpol is still in possession of the Russians, and Brigham Young is Gov. of Utah. I have said this mildly and calmly, and if Bro. Kinney is here to hear it I am glad and he not try to deny what I have said. ... I say again so help me God we will cut their throats if they do here again as they did last winter; we will waste them away, and kill them in the streets at noonday, in the morning, and at night. I am Gov. here, and I want Bro. Kinney or any other man to write that and send it to the editors of papers in the United States if they think proper. If persons come here and behave like gentlemen they shall enjoy their rights, and we will enjoy ours or fight to the death... I have nothing to say against the most of the soldiers particularly, but against a good many of the officers, those poor miserable curses that were here last winter. We ought to have hung up their bodies as a
public example and as a warning to others, or to have cast them over the city walls to the wolves, as I have felt sorry every since they went away that this was not done. I did not feel so keenly about it then as I have since they went away and the longer I live and the more I think about it I feel the more apprehension that I have not done right. But I will not let such another scene pass over, I think, unvisited by a just retribution. -- SLC Tabernacle

[Brigham Young Collection, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]

175 years ago today - Jul 8, 1850

James J. Strang is publicly crowned "King at Zion" at St. James, Beaver Island, Michigan. Ceremony is performed by George J. Adams, former member of Joseph Smith's Council of Fifty. Non-believers and apostates murder Strang in 1856.

[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]

180 years ago today - Jul 8, 1845

Patriarchal Blessing of Alpheus L. Dillan given by William Smith on July 8, 1845 ... thou shalt be numbered with the house of Israel, and with the one hundred and forty four thousand, on Mount Zion, and of the promised seed shall thy name be reckoned, and thousands shall call thee blessed, thy days are not a few ...

[Patriarchal Blessings]

180 years ago today - Jul 8, 1845. Tuesday.

....President Young and Elder Richards came to the office and brought a bag containing $2599.75 in Gold. Joseph Toronto, an Italian, came to President Young and said he wanted to give himself and all he had to President Young. He had this gold which was carefully wrapped up in old rags, tin Books &c which he freely and voluntarily gave up saying he should henceforth look to President Young for protection and council.

[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]

15 years ago today - 7/7/2010

Carlos Aguero, LDS public-affairs director for Argentina and a former Area Authority Seventy, attends meeting with leaders from several conservative Christian churches and traditional family organizations, according to a Buenos Aires newspaper. The meeting was apparently to plan opposition to a proposed bill which would allow Same-Sex Marriages in Argentina. "The [LDS] Church has made its support of traditional marriage clear but it does not involve itself institutionally in every same-sex election contest," Trotter said. "The church took no official position on the marriage legislation in Argentina and did not organize its members to participate in opposing the legislation."

[Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]

30 years ago today - Jul 7, 1995

Award-winning author Brian Evenson announces his resignation as BYU English professor to join the faculty at Oklahoma State University. Because of an anonymous student's complaint to an apostle about the violence and "darkness" in Evenson's published work, BYU's officials were requiring him to cancel his most recent book contract with New York publisher Knopf or face termination. BYU's spokesperson comments: "The University's sense of mission and Brian's sense of mission were quite divergent."

[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]

35 years ago today - Jul 7, 1990

The end of the Wimbledon tennis tournament where LDS player Rick Leach and partners win men's doubles and mixed doubles. At Wimbledon in 1995 Leach wins his "29th doubles title."

[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]

135 years ago today - Mon. July 7th, 1890

At SS Union Board. Mtg. "The question was asked if partaking of the Sacrament would cause a forgiveness of sins. A question card used in Sunday Schools said it would. Father (Geo. Q. Cannon) said that partaking worthily of the Sacrament would gain for the Saint a forgiveness of sins, as well as a repentant spirit and humble prayer would bring the same blessing, yet this is not the ordinance instituted for the forgiveness of sins, and any question or answer which conveyed such an idea is incorrect."

[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]

165 years ago today - Jul 7, 1860

Brigham Young's office journal records: "Bro. Greenwood called in and reported Bp. L. E. Harrington was very sick and had sent him up for counsel about Bro. Gordons first wife, and bro Smith as it was supposed there had been an improper intimacy. The Ward had cut them off. The President said her husband should divorce her, and Smith & her should be baptised and then they should marry."

[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

170 years ago today - Jul 7, 1855

Brigham Young attends a meeting, in Salt Lake City, of the Universal Scientific Society and hears an address "by Dr. Richardson, upon the Subject of Concubinage as related to the Patriarchs of old etc." Young afterward expresses "his approbation and the joy and pleasure he felt at what he witnessed."

[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

180 years ago today - Jul 7, 1845

[Patriarchal Blessing of James Richardson given by William Smith]

.... I seal thee up to eternal life against all sins and blasphemies except the sin against the the Holy Ghost which is the shed[d]ing of innocent blood which sin I do not say shall be forgiven in this world or in the world to come yet God knows the appointed time of redemption for all mankind and it is not revealed for man to know ...

[Patriarchal Blessings]

180 years ago today - Jul 7, 1845

[Patriarchal Blessing of Elisha Wilcox given by William Smith]

.... thou shalt not suffer the pains of sin or the pains of death but inherit forever peace and rest ...

[Patriarchal Blessings]

180 years ago today - Jul 7, 1845

Patriarchal Blessing of Thomas Crompton given by William Smith .... and thy voice shall be as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of distant thunder[s] shall the great men of the earth hear it, fear and tremble and to them it shall prove a savior of life unto life, or of death unto death, for the [illegible] time has come ...

[Patriarchal Blessings]

180 years ago today - Jul 7, 1845

Patriarchal Blessing of Sarah Mackley given by William Smith .... in this blessing is thy lineage made known, thy fathers were of the Royal stock, they were those that had the Priesthood, and administered before the alter [altar], they offer[e]d sacrifices and made atonements for sins, the power of this Priesthood having been lost from thy progenitors, for many of them were holy and righteous men and begat to them a great name in their day, has been restored again and will be p[l]aced upon the head of thy posterity, and in this the seed of the house of Israel shall be made known, from among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the nations, no blessing or promise that was made to Abraham to be ansuered [answered] upon the heads of his daughters shall fail, of being fulfilled upon thee, ... and from bondage shalt thou be set free, for a friend shall be given thee who is mighty, and none shall surpass his glory in the Priesthood, his name shall be counted great and in thy
lifetime shalt thou consider it and this blessing shall be fulfilled upon thine head. ...

[Patriarchal Blessings]

180 years ago today - Jul 7, 1845

Patriarchal Blessing of Samuel Bell given by William Smith ... thou art a legal heir in the kingdom of God and to the holy Priesthood, thy fathers were of a mighty nation and administered before the alter [altar], and through faith were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, put to flight the armies of the aliens and escaped the edge of the sword, they were men of unyielding Spirits, and who in eternity Volunte[e]red to take upon them tabernacles to fight the battles of the Lord, and be his ministers. it is for this cause thou hast been spared to live to behold this day and the glory of Zion ...

[Patriarchal Blessings]

180 years ago today - Jul 7, 1845

Patriarchal Blessing of Martha Tate given by William Smith .... thy name shall be written upon a Record this shall be done in the temple of the Lord then shall be revealed unto thee the destiny of thy forefathers they who were ordained unto the holy Priesthood and bore the ark of the covenant ... thy blood relatives shall be brought to inherit the celestial kingdom ...

[Patriarchal Blessings]

185 years ago today - Jul 7, 1840

[Wilford Woodruff]

July 7th I met with the Twelve & many officers in council at the Star Office whare much important business was transacted & council given. ... we walk to a paper storehouse whare Elders Young & Pratt had made a Contract for Paper sufficent to Print 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon. After seeing the Paper weighed & Paid for which amounted to £107 .

[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 7, 1840 (Tuesday)

James Allred, Noah Rogers, Alanson Brown and Benjamin Boyce were kidnapped from Hancock County, Ill., by Missourians, and taken to Tully, Lewis Co., Mo., where they were imprisoned, whipped and ill-treated until nearly dead. Brown and Allred escaped a few days afterwards.

[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

185 years ago today - 1840 Jul 7

Letter from Joseph Smith to Crooked Creek IL branch. Four Saints are kidnapped from Hancock Co., Ill. and taken to prison in Missouri, where they are whipped and beaten. A group of Missourians had crossed the Mississippi in search of goods they claimed had been stolen from them, and having found a cache of them in the caves near the river bottoms on the Nauvoo side, they blamed the four Mormons, captured them, and beat confessions out of them. At this time there was a crime wave along the banks of the Mississippi, and many criminals would join the Church as a cover. When the four Mormons are kidnapped, Joseph protests loudly to Gov. Carlin about Gov. Boggs of Missouri. However, when the supposed theft is investigated, the cache of goods is found to be entirely too large to be the frame-up the Mormons had claimed it was, and Gov. Carlin begins to act less favorably toward the Saints. One of the Saints, Alanson Brown, is found guilty of the theft.

[https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]

195 years ago today - Jul 7, 1830

The Palmyra Reflector continues with Chapter 2 of its satirical "Book of Pukei". The account describes the angel Moroni as "a little old man...clad, as I supposed, in Egyptian raiment, except his Indian blanket, and moccasins-his beard of silver white, hung far below his knees. On his head was an old fashioned military half cocked hat, such as was worn in the days of the patriarch Moses-his speech was sweeter than molasses, and his words were the reformed Egyptian."

[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]

85 years ago today - Jul 6, 1940

[J. Reuben Clark]

Sylvester Q. Cannon'Said Jos. E. Robinson former President of the California Mission was writing some lurid articles for newspapers. I suggested he get all the facts he could and then report.

[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]

140 years ago today - Jul 6, 1885

[Wilford Woodruff]

I Blessed Mother Barry 82 years old. She had 3 sons & 1 daughter Martered 2 sons & 1 Daughter by Indian and 1 Son in Tennessee martered By Christians for preaching the gospel.

[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

145 years ago today - Jul 6, 1880

Deseret News reports on "the first non-Mormon Fourth of July celebration ever attempted in Utah." Its editorial the next day comments: "The 'Mormons' of Salt Lake City have not celebrated Independence Day in this fashion for several years... When we can celebrate the day as freemen, as other citizens of our common country celebrate," Salt Lake City "will again come to the front with her popular displays of patriotism."

[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]

180 years ago today - Sunday, July 6th, 1845

[John Taylor]

.... It has been remarked frequently that we are in eternity and that we have now begun to live for ever, A great many are at a loss to understand, how it is that we have begun to live for ever, and how we are counted with eternity. ...

[Sermon of John Taylor, recorded in 'The John Taylor Nauvoo journal, January 1845-September 1845,' BYU Studies 23:3 (1983) edited by Dean C. Jessee]

185 years ago today - 1840: 6 July

[Patriarchal blessing of Arnold Stephens, given by Joseph Smith, Sen.]

.... if faithful thou shalt see the sons of God come from the North Country, & thou shalt be crowned with them, and shall meet them in their armies as the Lord leads them by his Prophet, and when the highway is cast up thou shalt rejoice in the glory of God. ... his glory shall rest upon thee & thy face shall shine as the face of Mosses, & many will behold and tremble, & many cannot look upon thee for brightness. ... Thou art called to preach the Gospel and thou hast a great work to do thy mission is beyond the mighty waters thy call is in the East--West North & South even in South America and thou shalt not have passed over half the cities, till the son of man comes in the clouds of heaven, Angels shall minister to thee, the Nephites shall visit thee even the ancient fathers that tarried on the Earth--Thou shalt see the Revelator John, and shall stand upon the earth when he shall lead in his armies from the North ... thy privilege is to stand when the Savior comes and then be
crowned in the blessing of Joseph and stand with the 144,000 upon Mount Zion-... I now seal thee up to eternal life and seal thee against the destroyer and the Devil and all abominations and confirm thee in the name of Christ and by the authority of my office--Even so--Amen."

[Typescript; William Smith Patriarchal Blessing Book, pp. 196-198, RLDS Archives, Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

190 years ago today - Jul 6, 1835

Michael H. Chandler gives Joseph Smith the following certificate: "KIRTLAND, Jul 6, 1835. This is to make known to all who may be desirous, concerning the knowledge of Mr. Joseph Smith, Jun., in deciphering the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic characters in my possession, which I have, in many eminent cities, showed to the most learned; and, from the information that I could ever learn, or meet with, I find that of Mr. Joseph Smith, Jun., to correspond in the most minute matters. MICHAEL H. CHANDLER, Traveling with, and proprietor of, Egyptian mummies.'

[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

195 years ago today - Jul 6, 1830

Priesthood restoration by Peter, James, and John occurs shortly after dawn near Harmony, Pennsylvania, as Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery are fleeing a mob at Colesville, New York.

[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]