A temple-square talk by Apostle Ezra Taft Benson is printed in the DESERET NEWS. However references to the John Birch Society are deleted without Apostle Benson's permission. In the talk he said that he had read the Birch Society's Blue Book, Robert Welch's The Politician, and recommended that the audience subscribe to the Birch Society's official magazine American Opinion. His talk even included the mailing address."
["Stand Up For Freedom: Partial Text Of Talk Given to S.L. Group By Elder Benson," Deseret News "Church News," 26 Feb. 1966,10-12; Duane Price to D. Michael Quinn, 9 Aug. 1992, summarizing his meeting with Benson in April 1966. Price was a supporter of Benson's position on the Birch Society. Anderson, "Church and Birch In Utah," 35n29, alluded to the censorship of the talk in the Church News. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
Today In Mormon History-fb
Several curious tidbits that happened on this day in Mormon History
75 years ago today - February 26-Apr 4, 1951
[February 26:] Very confused, very nervous.
[February 28:] Is confused as to time of day.
[March 15:] Not disoriented as he has been from other sedation.
[March 20:] Somewhat confused this A.M.
[March 22:] Wonders where he is.
[March 27:] Irrational at times.
[April 1:] P[atien]t. disoriented most of day.
[April 2:] Know[s] his son.
[Nurses' notes regarding George Albert Smith's last days, 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]
[February 28:] Is confused as to time of day.
[March 15:] Not disoriented as he has been from other sedation.
[March 20:] Somewhat confused this A.M.
[March 22:] Wonders where he is.
[March 27:] Irrational at times.
[April 1:] P[atien]t. disoriented most of day.
[April 2:] Know[s] his son.
[Nurses' notes regarding George Albert Smith's last days, 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]
85 years ago today - Feb 26, 1941
[J. Reuben Clark]
Bp Wirthlin'Telephoned about stopping George Martin going into Temple'a "New Polyg" I told him I would get in touch with David O. and let him know.
Telephoned Bro Chipman telling him about it. He said he would take care of it.'I asked him to look the Presid. Bishopric for further information and so informed the Presid. Bishopric'Bro. Wirthlin.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
Bp Wirthlin'Telephoned about stopping George Martin going into Temple'a "New Polyg" I told him I would get in touch with David O. and let him know.
Telephoned Bro Chipman telling him about it. He said he would take care of it.'I asked him to look the Presid. Bishopric for further information and so informed the Presid. Bishopric'Bro. Wirthlin.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
95 years ago today - Feb 26, 1931
[Heber J. Grant]
We have before us your letter of February 18, in which you say that in your Priesthood class one Brother claims that Adam 'had been through the experience of mortality on another sphere before he came here; that he was a celestialized being when placed in the Garden of Eden.' What this brother means by 'celestialized being' is not clear. We are informed that we all lived in the presence of God in the spirit world before we came here. In one sense we might say that this was a celestialized existence. If what is meant is that Adam had passed on to celestial glory through a resurrection before he came here, and that afterwards he was appointed to this earth to die again, the second time becoming mortal, then it is not scriptural or according to the truth. ... Adam could have remained in the Garden of Eden indefinitely if he had not transgressed the law which brought to pass mortality. Since Adam had not passed through the resurrection his spirit and body were not inseparably
connected, hence it was possible for him to become mortal by partaking of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. By so doing he received the seeds of death and brought to pass mortality in himself and caused all of his posterity to partake of like conditions and be subject to death. ...
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Joseph H. Eldredge, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
We have before us your letter of February 18, in which you say that in your Priesthood class one Brother claims that Adam 'had been through the experience of mortality on another sphere before he came here; that he was a celestialized being when placed in the Garden of Eden.' What this brother means by 'celestialized being' is not clear. We are informed that we all lived in the presence of God in the spirit world before we came here. In one sense we might say that this was a celestialized existence. If what is meant is that Adam had passed on to celestial glory through a resurrection before he came here, and that afterwards he was appointed to this earth to die again, the second time becoming mortal, then it is not scriptural or according to the truth. ... Adam could have remained in the Garden of Eden indefinitely if he had not transgressed the law which brought to pass mortality. Since Adam had not passed through the resurrection his spirit and body were not inseparably
connected, hence it was possible for him to become mortal by partaking of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. By so doing he received the seeds of death and brought to pass mortality in himself and caused all of his posterity to partake of like conditions and be subject to death. ...
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Joseph H. Eldredge, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
125 years ago today - Feb 26, 1901
We held a special meeting of the First Presidentcy and Apostles ... This meeting was called to reconsider the Evans Bill relating to unlawful cohabitation [making it unlawful for anyone to bring a charge of adultery against a married man except the legal wife, she being the aggrieved party -- lessening the ability of church enemies to make charges of polygamy againt Mormons]. We all spoke on this subject. Pres[iden]t. Snow said he had not got the will of the Lord and wanted us to express ourselves. We all spoke in favor of the bill but Reed Smoot and he said it was simply a question of policy with him'he would vote with his brethren. Some very warm words were exchanged between Pres[iden]ts. Cannon and Smith. It was moved by Pres[iden]t. Jos[eph]. F. Smith and 2nd by F[rancis]. M. Lyman to sustain the Evans Bill. Carried unanimously.
[Abraham Owen Woodruff 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]
[Abraham Owen Woodruff 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 - Wednesday, Feb 26, 1896
[John Henry Smith]
F[rancis]. M. Lyman and I were weighed today and just weighed 248 pounds each. I had a tumor cut out of my back by Dr. Jos. F. Richards today.
[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]
F[rancis]. M. Lyman and I were weighed today and just weighed 248 pounds each. I had a tumor cut out of my back by Dr. Jos. F. Richards today.
[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]
130 years ago today - Feb 26, 1896
Bro[ther] [B. H.] R[oberts] seems to have taken his farewell of his brethern among whom he has labored so faithfully for lo these many years.
[Seymour B. Young, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Seymour B. Young, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
135 years ago today - Feb 26, 1891
[Brigham Young Jr.]
American mail this morning, first thing noticed in Des[eret] E[vening]. N[ews]. was raid after more property belonging to church & individuals The Temples in S[alt]. L[ake]. C[ity]. Manti & St. George [Utah] are mentioned by US Dis[trict]. Att[orne]y. I was so disturbed when reading of their mean[n]ess that I could scarcely contain my feelings. I would rather fight if it is the Lords will than submit longer to these curses who disgrace the Gov[ernor]. they represent. If it were in my power I would stand by those Temples and kill the first hound from the President of U.S.A. down to the dastardly U.S. Marshals from Franks down to Pratt before they should desecrate those sacred buildings. These were my thoughts until I was worked up to a pitch seldom reached by one of my temper. Suddenly I remembered the Lord was managing this business, and I prayed unto Him in my heart, O Lord give the Government and people of the United States something to chew besides the 562 L[atter]. D[ay].
S[aints].
[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]
American mail this morning, first thing noticed in Des[eret] E[vening]. N[ews]. was raid after more property belonging to church & individuals The Temples in S[alt]. L[ake]. C[ity]. Manti & St. George [Utah] are mentioned by US Dis[trict]. Att[orne]y. I was so disturbed when reading of their mean[n]ess that I could scarcely contain my feelings. I would rather fight if it is the Lords will than submit longer to these curses who disgrace the Gov[ernor]. they represent. If it were in my power I would stand by those Temples and kill the first hound from the President of U.S.A. down to the dastardly U.S. Marshals from Franks down to Pratt before they should desecrate those sacred buildings. These were my thoughts until I was worked up to a pitch seldom reached by one of my temper. Suddenly I remembered the Lord was managing this business, and I prayed unto Him in my heart, O Lord give the Government and people of the United States something to chew besides the 562 L[atter]. D[ay].
S[aints].
[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]
175 years ago today - Feb 26, 1851
President Young while speaking of the resurrection said that we should receive the same bodies that we lay down, if our dust was blown to the four winds of heaven.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
130 years ago today - Feb 25, 1896
sisters Zina D. H. Young and Jane S. Richards, on behalf of the Relief Society, asked the following questions, and received the accompanying answers: ... Bishops and others have no right to interfere in this matter, nor to take possession or control of the wheat which belongs to the Relief Societies. The counsel and advice which Bishops may give are another thing. The wheat is entirely under the control of the Society to which it belongs.
[Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
30 years ago today - Feb 25, 1996
The proportion of Church members living outside United States surpasses 50%.
[Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]
[Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]
65 years ago today - Feb 25, 1961
During the baseball-baptism era a speech by First Presidency Counselor Henry D. Moyle is published in the CHURCH NEWS: "We need these young men [baptized teenagers]. How are we going to get this [labor] missionary building program carried out without them? The answer is, we could not. . . . You elders need have no concern, no matter from what source the criticism comes, as to whether your baptisms are too fast. . . . If you think that President McKay does not know what is going on and that Brother Moyle and Brother Woodbury, and Brother Brockbank are "pulling a fast one," so to speak, why you are mistaken about that. . . . I have noted a little apologetic tone in some of your voices about baptizing too many young people. Well don't put on the brakes."
145 years ago today - Feb 25, 1881
[Wilford Woodruff]
25 We drove to St George. ... We drove to the Temple whare I took up my abode. I rejoiced to once more take up my abiding Place in the Temple of our God. We went to the Altar and had our Prayers. ... We slept in the upper part of the Temple. 3
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
25 We drove to St George. ... We drove to the Temple whare I took up my abode. I rejoiced to once more take up my abiding Place in the Temple of our God. We went to the Altar and had our Prayers. ... We slept in the upper part of the Temple. 3
[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 - Feb 25, 1881
DESERET NEWS reports that first counselor Joseph F. Smith and Apostle Wilford Woodruff set apart seven recent graduates of Dr. Romania B. Pratt's course in midwifery. Oliver B. Huntington records in his journal: "I went to Provo to a quarterly Stake Conference. Heard Joseph F. Smith describe the manner of translating the Book of Mormon by Joseph Smith the Prophet and Seer, which was as follows as near as I can recollect the substance of his description. Joseph did not render the writing on the gold plates into the English language in his own style of language as many people believe. But every word and every letter was given him by the gift and power of God. So it is the work of God and not of Joseph Smith, and it was done in this way - The Lord caused each word spelled as it is in the book to appear on the stones in short sentences or words, and when Joseph had uttered the sentence or word before him and the scribe had written it properly, that sentence would disappear and another
appear. And if there was a word wrongly written or even a letter incorrect the writing on the stone would remain there."
appear. And if there was a word wrongly written or even a letter incorrect the writing on the stone would remain there."
170 years ago today - Feb 25, 1856
President Young exhibited the Seers stone with which The Prophet Joseph discovered the plates of the Book of Mormon, to the Regents this evening
It is said to be a silecious granite color almost black with light colored stripes some what resembling petrified poplar or cotton wood bark[.] It was about the size but not the shape of a hens egg
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
It is said to be a silecious granite color almost black with light colored stripes some what resembling petrified poplar or cotton wood bark[.] It was about the size but not the shape of a hens egg
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
180 years ago today - Feb 25, 1846
At this meeting Brigham Young spoke ... he gave them a severe reprimand and declared that himself nor any other man had any right or exclusive privilege to pass or re-pass the guard and that he would know no man who had not the counter sign.
[On the Mormon Frontier, the Diaries of Hosea Stout. Juanita Brooks, ed. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1964. 1:127, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[On the Mormon Frontier, the Diaries of Hosea Stout. Juanita Brooks, ed. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1964. 1:127, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
180 years ago today - Feb 25, 1846
He [Brigham Young] then spoke against thieving, cutting strings from wagon covers, and said the brethren had gone contrary to council in cutting rail timber, etc. on the camp ground, and they must stop all such practices; that they had not made him the leader of the Camp as yet, but if they should do it, when they got out of the settlements where his orders could be executed, they would have justice done them, and, said he, "I should be perfectly willing to see thieves have their throats cut. Some of you may say, if that is your feelings Brigham, we'll lay you aside some time. Well, do it if you can; I would rather die by the hands of the meanest of all men, false brethren, than to live among thieves."
[Manuscript History of Brigham Young, p.49, in Elden J. Watson, ed. Brigham Young Addresses, 1801-1877: A Chronological Compilation of Known Addresses of the Prophet Brigham Young, 6 vols. (Salt Lake City: Privately published, 1971)]
[Manuscript History of Brigham Young, p.49, in Elden J. Watson, ed. Brigham Young Addresses, 1801-1877: A Chronological Compilation of Known Addresses of the Prophet Brigham Young, 6 vols. (Salt Lake City: Privately published, 1971)]
55 years ago today - Feb 24, 1971
A meeting of 150 students on BYU's campus condemns the U.S. participation in the Vietnam War. Among them is Apostle Spencer W. Kimball's grandson, a registered conscientious objector and returned missionary. He and several members of the group soon publish a pamphlet, 'To the Men of BYU,' which encourages them to consider conscientious objection against this war. Surveys by BYU sociologists find that about 10 percent of BYU students oppose the Vietnam War.
[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)]]
170 years ago today - Feb 24, 1856
Br. Brigham arose and spoke the plainest that I ever heard him ... I now say to all you [lawyers] that stir up strife and contention thieving and wickedness and don't repent, the curse of the Almighty shall rest upon you. I curse you in the name of Jesus Christ. Your children shall die, your substance shall wither and perish! ... Here is Judge Snow, to my right hand, a stink to this community, he goes around picking old sores, stirring up lawsuits to get business and for a mess of sugar and tea he can be bribed, he will wallow in his filth all the week and on Sunday come and stick himself in the stand by the side of me! I consider it a disgrace to me, to sit by him. I suppose he will want to speak now, but if he gets into this pulpit I will kick him out, It shan't be disgraced with him.
We have got the names of the loafers that attend court and we are going to send them on a mission and hope they won't be back in less than 5 years. We will send some good men with them, they may preach the gospel, or apostatize and go to hell. About a 150 names were called. -- SLC Tabernacle [Note: Zerubabel Snow asked the Quorum of Twelve for forgiveness. Heber C. Kimball warns, "When a man is appointed to take a mission, unless he has a just and honorable reason for not going, if he does not go he will be severed from the Church"]
[John Pulsipher Journal, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
We have got the names of the loafers that attend court and we are going to send them on a mission and hope they won't be back in less than 5 years. We will send some good men with them, they may preach the gospel, or apostatize and go to hell. About a 150 names were called. -- SLC Tabernacle [Note: Zerubabel Snow asked the Quorum of Twelve for forgiveness. Heber C. Kimball warns, "When a man is appointed to take a mission, unless he has a just and honorable reason for not going, if he does not go he will be severed from the Church"]
[John Pulsipher Journal, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
180 years ago today - Feb 24, 1846
En route from New York to California aboard the ship Brooklyn, Mormon emigrant Sarah Burr gives birth to a baby boy, whom she names John Atlantic Burr. He is the first of two children to be born on board the ship. Later, a baby girl is born to Phebe and John Robbins and is named Georgiana Pacific Robbins.
180 years ago today - Feb 24, 1846
An early thaw ends and the Mississippi river freezes over at Nauvoo. This considerably aids the Mormons in their exodus out of the city that has been going on for over two weeks. Wagons can now be driven across the ice instead of having to be carried across on ferry boats. At 7 pm, Willard Richards noted the temperature was 12 degrees above zero.
10 years ago today - 2016 February 23
FLDS Church leaders in the Short Creek Community are arrested by the FBI and charged with orchestrating food stamp fraud through church-owned business and coaching church members to participate.
[Wikipedia, 21st Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_century_(Mormonism)]
[Wikipedia, 21st Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_century_(Mormonism)]
45 years ago today - Feb 23, 1981
Provo's Jiffy Lube auto service center offers a complete lube, a chance to meet Elder Paul H. Dunn, a member of the Presidency of the General Quorum of Seventy, and a free autographed book to the first 50 customers-all for just $14.95.
100 years ago today - Feb 23, 1926
[Heber J. Grant]
.... Told him of the temptations that came to me to resign because I had never seen the Savior and that I was unfit to be an apostle etc. I related to him the manifestation that I had in Arizona ...
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
.... Told him of the temptations that came to me to resign because I had never seen the Savior and that I was unfit to be an apostle etc. I related to him the manifestation that I had in Arizona ...
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
130 years ago today - Feb 23, 1896
[Heber J. Grant]
This morning about nine thirty he [i.e., his seven-year-old son, Heber] had another sinking spell and at the suggestion of Bishop Nelson A. Empey, who was present I ordained my little boy an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I blessed him with all the earnestness of my soul, and dedicated him to the Lord to live or die which ever was His will, and covenanted with the Lord if he would spare my only son, and give him life and strength that I would dedicate his time to the service of the Lord and do all in my power to teach him the ways of truth and righteousness. I had wonderfully good liberty in blessing my son. He revived again. [His son died four days later.]
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
This morning about nine thirty he [i.e., his seven-year-old son, Heber] had another sinking spell and at the suggestion of Bishop Nelson A. Empey, who was present I ordained my little boy an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I blessed him with all the earnestness of my soul, and dedicated him to the Lord to live or die which ever was His will, and covenanted with the Lord if he would spare my only son, and give him life and strength that I would dedicate his time to the service of the Lord and do all in my power to teach him the ways of truth and righteousness. I had wonderfully good liberty in blessing my son. He revived again. [His son died four days later.]
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
130 years ago today - Feb 23, 1896
[Brigham Young Jr.]
I had a talk with Pres[iden]t Hammond Asked him did he endorse the doctrine when Pres[iden]t Woodruff called upon Patriarch John Smith to step down and out or quit smoking or use of tobacco. he said I do with all my heart. Then will you step down, he said yes. He had letter read Presidency sent him. I read it again when Pres[ident] H. proposed that people try him another 6 mo[nths]. ... People voted with 3 exceptions to try him another 6 mo[nths]. I felt obliged to let the matter rest until next Conference.
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I had a talk with Pres[iden]t Hammond Asked him did he endorse the doctrine when Pres[iden]t Woodruff called upon Patriarch John Smith to step down and out or quit smoking or use of tobacco. he said I do with all my heart. Then will you step down, he said yes. He had letter read Presidency sent him. I read it again when Pres[ident] H. proposed that people try him another 6 mo[nths]. ... People voted with 3 exceptions to try him another 6 mo[nths]. I felt obliged to let the matter rest until next Conference.
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
145 years ago today - Feb 23, 1881
[Wilford Woodruff]
I spent the night at the House of Widow Roundy. I laid hands upon her and sealed a Blessing upon her. The Angel of God Recorded it But I have not a Record of it in my Journal.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I spent the night at the House of Widow Roundy. I laid hands upon her and sealed a Blessing upon her. The Angel of God Recorded it But I have not a Record of it in my Journal.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Feb 23, 1861
The President emphatically and distinctly said those who enter the glory of the Telestial World will have to dwell singly and separately apart; they will not marry there, they will be happy. It will be the same with the Terrestrial Glory they will not marry although their glory will be infinitely greater. None but the Gods will be allowed to multiply and increase. In Celestial glory there will be many who will be single also. -- Salt Lake City
[Brigham Young Office Journals, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Brigham Young Office Journals, 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 - Feb 23, 1856
Brigham Young exhibits brown seer stone obtained from Oliver Cowdery's widow. He explains that Smith used this stone to find gold plates of Book of Mormon.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
175 years ago today - Feb 23, 1851
Pres Young who prophesied that the time is near when all the emigration of the Saints from Europe and the East will come by way of the [-] and South California instead of by the grave yards on the Mississippi, Missouri and Platte Rivers '- and that we should raise our cotton and sugar in the south, instead of from the States '- and that as most of the persons who were pearl fishers, were our own brethren, that we should command the pearl fisheries in our own hands. And the U.S. could not help themselves. He also said that many who were going south with Amasa Lyman and Charles C. Rich when they had wallowed in the mire long enough, that they would be glad to wash themselves and return here again. -- Salt Lake City
[Historians Office Journal, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Historians Office Journal, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
195 years ago today - Feb 23, 1831
D&C 42:78-93 (Kirtland): Methods for dealing with transgressors; murderers, thieves, and liars to civil authorities; adulterers to be tried before the church, bishop should be present, two witnesses required; other offenders rebuked in secret if offense was private.
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
60 years ago today - Feb 22, 1966
During a visit at church headquarters the last week of February, Senator Moss found "a number of the Brethren boiling pretty good" about Benson's recent talk. These general authorities "decided that Brother Benson's Assembly Hall speech should not be printed in the Church News. This was the decision until it was found that President McKay had already approved its printing and his office had directed the Deseret News to print it."
[Reported by U.S. senator Frank E. Moss to U.S. representative Ken W. Dyal, 2 Mar. 1966, folder 5, box 184, Moss Papers. Moss wrote that this assessment was based on conversations a week earlier with "the Brethren." However, his Daily Activity Log refers to meeting with only one current general authority—Hugh B. Brown on 22 February (box 713, Moss Papers). From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
[Reported by U.S. senator Frank E. Moss to U.S. representative Ken W. Dyal, 2 Mar. 1966, folder 5, box 184, Moss Papers. Moss wrote that this assessment was based on conversations a week earlier with "the Brethren." However, his Daily Activity Log refers to meeting with only one current general authority—Hugh B. Brown on 22 February (box 713, Moss Papers). From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
115 years ago today - Feb 22, 1911
Trial of John W. Taylor before the Quorum of Apostles for some of his post-manifesto plural marriage activities. In his defense Taylor has read aloud and entered into the minutes the Sept. 27, 1886 revelation given to his father, President John Taylor. The revelation is discussed. Apostle Joseph Fielding Smith states that a he, himself, as placed the original of the revelation in the church archives. However, Heber J. Grant, who is present and participated during the trial, later, as president of the church, publicly denies the existence of this revelation claiming there is no knowledge or record of it in the church. During the trial Taylor asks that President Joseph F. Smith be called in on his behalf but the council refuses to contact President Smith. The Apostles formally excommunicate Taylor on Mar 28.
165 years ago today - Feb 22, 1861
Apostle Orson Pratt submits to the MATHEMATICAL MONTHLY (Cambridge, Massachusetts) a series of problems concerning mathematical laws relating to the origin of the solar system. He later recalls: "I prepared a series of problems relating to this subject, and forwarded the same to the editor of the Mathematical Monthly, . . . But in the consequence of the war then pending, the paper ceased its publication, and I heard nothing further from the manuscript. But as it was hastily and somewhat imperfectly prepared, it is perhaps better that it remained unpublished," In a letter to the editor of the Mathematical Monthly accompanying the articles, Pratt notes that his work was done without the aid of "any mathematical works." Pratt publishes CUBIC AND BIQUARATIC EQUATIONS and writes texts on differential calculus and determinants which he doesn't publish.
165 years ago today - Feb 22, 1861
The President [Brigham Young]] saw the foundation of the [Salt Lake] Temple was not laid even and he thought of taking some up and level it. The President observed to him that when he saw it he felt it was wrong. The B[isho]p said he wished the Pres[ident] had forcible told him so. The President said he did mention it, but men frequently have to much confidence in themselves. He further remarked he did not care about the expense of work but he wanted it laid out well and the work done properly. Pres. said he intended to have all the rocks taken up and he would get him T.O. Angel & Jesse Fox and overlook the laying of the rock, that it might be done properly. The President saw in a few hundred years some of the ancients will be here, and contrast our buildings with those that they have build. If we could see the buildings they put up before the flood we should see we had grown weaker and not wiser. -- Salt Lake City
[Brigham Young Office Journals, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Brigham Young Office Journals, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
180 years ago today - Feb 22, 1846
At a meeting in the recently-completed Nauvoo Temple "the room was crowded and a great weight caused the new truss floor to settle nearly to its proper position. While settling, an inch-board or some light timber underneath was caught and cracked, the sound of which created great alarm in the congregation and some jumped out of the windows, smashing the glass and all before them. Philo Farnsworth smashed the northeast window while others ran out of the doors and many or those who remained jumped up and down with all their might crying Oh! Oh!! Oh!!! As though they could not settle the floor fast enough, but at the same time so agitated that they knew now what they did. . . .One man who jumped out of the window broke his arm and mashed his face, another broke his leg." Wilford Woodruff records: "I dreamed last night that there was a great Storm that killed thousands of Birds that were floating upon the water. I saw many that were not quite dead. I waided in 2 or three feet of water
& picked out many of them & put them under a goose that was sitting & they were warmed brought to life & run about lively & well."
& picked out many of them & put them under a goose that was sitting & they were warmed brought to life & run about lively & well."
190 years ago today - Feb 22, 1836
The lower room of the [Kirtland] temple is ready for painting, and Brigham Young will superintend it. The sisters meet to begin making for the temple a white canvas curtain called the veil.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
195 years ago today - Feb 22, 1831
Writing from Kirtland (OH), Joseph Smith instructs Martin Harris to "come as soon as you can ... bring or cause to <be> brought all the books [of Mormon] ... inform the Elders which are there that all of them who can be spared will come here without delay if possable this by commandment of the Lord ... send to Colesville and have either Hiram or Newel to come [-] immediately or both if they can be spared. You will not sell the books [of Mormon] for less than 10 Shillings".
[Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
[Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
30 years ago today - Feb 21, 1996
The Deseret News (with a follow-up on 28 Feb.) reports that LDS president Gordon B. Hinckley meets with Honolulu's Catholic bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo to coordinate "as part of a grass-roots coalition opposed to same-sex marriage" legalization.
[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)]]
35 years ago today - Feb 21, 1991
SALT LAKE TRIBUNE article "Dunn Story Proves Costly for Veteran Journalist" tells of how Lynn Packer lost his teaching job at BYU after breaking the story about Paul H. Dunn's false baseball and war stories.
105 years ago today - Feb 21, 1921
[James E. Talmage]
.... By further action taken on unanimous vote of the High Council the branch hitherto known as the West Tintic branch of the Tintic Stake of Zion was disorganized. Thus all semblance of Church supervision in the affairs of that unfortunate little group of people has been taken away. When, more than a year ago, reports reached the First Presidency, to the effect that the people in West Tintic had undertaken to establish the 'United Order', they to have all things in common and to abolish all private ownership, I was appointed to investigate the matter. As a result of my first visit to the Tintic Stake with this as one of my appointed duties, I reported the facts as I found them, which were briefly these: That Moses Gudmundson, who was the leader and dominating figure in the movement, denied all intention of going ahead of the Church, specifically in the matter of attempting to start a colony according to the United Order plan; that I did not believe his protestations, but on the
other hand was convinced that the people of West Tintic, then organized into an independent branch in the Tintic Stake, were being led by an evil influence. Many other investigations have followed; and we have found to our sorrow that what we saw as the inevitable development of evil unless the people placed themselves in strict harmony with the order and government of the Church, had become a reality, namely, erotic ideas and practises concerning the marital state and the sexual relation. The best I can say of the people is that they have become fanatical through the power of evil. They have made sacrifice their hobby. The eating of meat, the taking of animal life even to provide food, and many other practises common with other people have been forbidden there; while long fasts and particularly the sacrificing of comforts and wholesome desires have been held up as ideals. Now they have reached the abominable status of men sacrificing their wives to other men; and by this means
they have put themselves under the laws of Church discipline and have made themselves subject to the punishment provided for by the law of the land. The present state is one of abominable immorality. Some of the women, notably the wife of Moses Gudmundson, and the wife of Gerald Lowry, withdrew promptly from the colony rather than countenance in any degree these ungodly practices. I believe that the judgment of the High Council in these cases is just; and that others than those already tried are involved.
[James E. Talmage, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
.... By further action taken on unanimous vote of the High Council the branch hitherto known as the West Tintic branch of the Tintic Stake of Zion was disorganized. Thus all semblance of Church supervision in the affairs of that unfortunate little group of people has been taken away. When, more than a year ago, reports reached the First Presidency, to the effect that the people in West Tintic had undertaken to establish the 'United Order', they to have all things in common and to abolish all private ownership, I was appointed to investigate the matter. As a result of my first visit to the Tintic Stake with this as one of my appointed duties, I reported the facts as I found them, which were briefly these: That Moses Gudmundson, who was the leader and dominating figure in the movement, denied all intention of going ahead of the Church, specifically in the matter of attempting to start a colony according to the United Order plan; that I did not believe his protestations, but on the
other hand was convinced that the people of West Tintic, then organized into an independent branch in the Tintic Stake, were being led by an evil influence. Many other investigations have followed; and we have found to our sorrow that what we saw as the inevitable development of evil unless the people placed themselves in strict harmony with the order and government of the Church, had become a reality, namely, erotic ideas and practises concerning the marital state and the sexual relation. The best I can say of the people is that they have become fanatical through the power of evil. They have made sacrifice their hobby. The eating of meat, the taking of animal life even to provide food, and many other practises common with other people have been forbidden there; while long fasts and particularly the sacrificing of comforts and wholesome desires have been held up as ideals. Now they have reached the abominable status of men sacrificing their wives to other men; and by this means
they have put themselves under the laws of Church discipline and have made themselves subject to the punishment provided for by the law of the land. The present state is one of abominable immorality. Some of the women, notably the wife of Moses Gudmundson, and the wife of Gerald Lowry, withdrew promptly from the colony rather than countenance in any degree these ungodly practices. I believe that the judgment of the High Council in these cases is just; and that others than those already tried are involved.
[James E. Talmage, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
115 years ago today - Feb 21, 1911
[George F. Richards]
The extent to which evolution and higher criticism is gaining ground among our school teachers is something alarming. The effects of such teachings in the B[righam]. Y[oung]. U[niversity]. are indeed alarming. These style themselves the progressive element. There are those making up the conservative element and then the orthodox Mormons.
[George F. Richards, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
The extent to which evolution and higher criticism is gaining ground among our school teachers is something alarming. The effects of such teachings in the B[righam]. Y[oung]. U[niversity]. are indeed alarming. These style themselves the progressive element. There are those making up the conservative element and then the orthodox Mormons.
[George F. Richards, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
120 years ago today - Feb 21, 1906
Joseph W. Summerhays performs ceremony marrying eighteen-year-old Athelia Voila Call to thirty-two-year-old William Galley Sears (whose first wife is unable to conceive) as his second living wife. When questioned by the Quorum of Twelve Summerhays insists that he had permission from President Joseph F. Smith. Smith denies this to Reed Smoot, Apostle and U.S. Senator. Summerhays is released from all church positions but is neither disfellowshipped nor excommunicated. In Washington D.C. Senator Albert J. Hopkins of Illinois tells LDS Apostle John Henry Smith that "we [the church] should do something with our recalcitrant Elders." This refers to Apostles John W. Taylor and Matthias F. Cowley of whom it is known that they have performed post-manifesto plural marriages. Taylor and Cowley are dropped from the Quorum of Twelve two weeks later.
125 years ago today - Feb 21, 1901 (Thursday)
The Utah legislature passed an anti-vaccination bill over the governor's veto.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
125 years ago today - Feb. 21st, 1901
[Brigham Young Jr.]
Petition had some circulation asking my wife to resign Presidency of M.I.A. I advised her to resign, which she did.
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Petition had some circulation asking my wife to resign Presidency of M.I.A. I advised her to resign, which she did.
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
185 years ago today - about Feb 21, 1841
Joseph Taylor remembers that Joseph Smith prophesied to his worried mother that her son John would safely return from jail within a week after having been imprisoned in Missouri for six months; he returned six days later.
[BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
[BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
190 years ago today - 1836: 21 February
[Patriarchal Blessing]
Caroline Crosby. (Given by Joseph Smith, Sen.)
"... thou also shalt see thy Redeemer come in the clouds of heaven ... Angels shall minister unto thee. And thy husband shall receive strength from thy prayers when he is absent from thee. And you shall know each others state by the Spirit when in far distant lands, and be comforted.
Thou shalt receive an inheritance in Zion, for thee and thy children. See the glory of God fill the house. Even the glory of the kingdom of heaven. And if thou desirest thou shalt bid the grave adieu, and never sleep in the dust, but rise to meet thy Redeemer at His coming
Note: After the blessings, she wrote: "The Patriarch conversed with us sometime, told us we had come together right. And when we told him our ages, and places of birth, he observed--that he thought we were both born under one planet. But merely by way of merriment. Mother Smith was in the room. She also added her blessing, or confirmed what we had already received."
[From a transcript; original in the Caroline Barnes Crosby Journal and Autobiography, 1807-82; fd 1, pg. 16, Utah State Historical Society Archives, in Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Caroline Crosby. (Given by Joseph Smith, Sen.)
"... thou also shalt see thy Redeemer come in the clouds of heaven ... Angels shall minister unto thee. And thy husband shall receive strength from thy prayers when he is absent from thee. And you shall know each others state by the Spirit when in far distant lands, and be comforted.
Thou shalt receive an inheritance in Zion, for thee and thy children. See the glory of God fill the house. Even the glory of the kingdom of heaven. And if thou desirest thou shalt bid the grave adieu, and never sleep in the dust, but rise to meet thy Redeemer at His coming
Note: After the blessings, she wrote: "The Patriarch conversed with us sometime, told us we had come together right. And when we told him our ages, and places of birth, he observed--that he thought we were both born under one planet. But merely by way of merriment. Mother Smith was in the room. She also added her blessing, or confirmed what we had already received."
[From a transcript; original in the Caroline Barnes Crosby Journal and Autobiography, 1807-82; fd 1, pg. 16, Utah State Historical Society Archives, in Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
190 years ago today - 1836: 21 February
[Patriarchal Blessing]
Jonathan Crosby Jr. (Given by Joseph Smith, Sen.)
"...Thou shalt ... have power over the winds and waves. Be wafted from place to place, by the power of God. Be caught up to the third heavens, and behold unspeakable things, whether in the body or out. Thou shalt see thy Redeemer in the flesh, and know that he lives. Angels shall minister unto thee, and protect thee from thine enemies, so that none shall be able to take thy life. And when thy mission is full here, thou shalt visit other worlds, and remain a Priest in eternity.
Thou shalt stand upon the earth till the Redeemer comes, See the end of this generation, and when the heavens rend, thou shalt rise and meet thy God in the air. And thy thousands shall be with thee. Thy family also, and thy posterity also. ... And I seal thee up unto eternal life...
[From a transcript; original in the Caroline Barnes Crosby Journal and Autobiography, 1807-82; Fd. 1, pg. 16, Utah State Historical Society Archives, in Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Jonathan Crosby Jr. (Given by Joseph Smith, Sen.)
"...Thou shalt ... have power over the winds and waves. Be wafted from place to place, by the power of God. Be caught up to the third heavens, and behold unspeakable things, whether in the body or out. Thou shalt see thy Redeemer in the flesh, and know that he lives. Angels shall minister unto thee, and protect thee from thine enemies, so that none shall be able to take thy life. And when thy mission is full here, thou shalt visit other worlds, and remain a Priest in eternity.
Thou shalt stand upon the earth till the Redeemer comes, See the end of this generation, and when the heavens rend, thou shalt rise and meet thy God in the air. And thy thousands shall be with thee. Thy family also, and thy posterity also. ... And I seal thee up unto eternal life...
[From a transcript; original in the Caroline Barnes Crosby Journal and Autobiography, 1807-82; Fd. 1, pg. 16, Utah State Historical Society Archives, in Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
195 years ago today - 1831 Feb 21
Martin Harris's note to Grandin to pay for BoM printing due
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]
50 years ago today - Feb 20, 1976
Thomas Stuart Ferguson writes "...you can't set Book of Mormon geography down anywhere - because it is fictional and will never meet the requirements of the dirt-archeology." Ferguson was a founder of the New World Archaeological Foundation at BYU in 1952 and participated in many archaeological digs in Central America searching for archaeological evidence of Book of Mormon peoples.
65 years ago today - Feb 20, 1961
President Clark ... is now a Director and Vice-Chairman of the Board of the following Church-controlled or interested corporations:
Beneficial Life
Radio service Corporation of Utah (Station KSL)
Utah Hotel Company
Utah-Idaho Sugar Company
Z.C.M.I.
Director and Vice-President of Zions Securities Corp.
Director-Emeritus-Equitable Life Assurance Society
Member of Board of Trustees: Herbert Hoover Foundation Theodore Roosevelt
Foundation
Director'American Peace Society.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
Beneficial Life
Radio service Corporation of Utah (Station KSL)
Utah Hotel Company
Utah-Idaho Sugar Company
Z.C.M.I.
Director and Vice-President of Zions Securities Corp.
Director-Emeritus-Equitable Life Assurance Society
Member of Board of Trustees: Herbert Hoover Foundation Theodore Roosevelt
Foundation
Director'American Peace Society.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
65 years ago today - Feb 20, 1961
A staff member of the Church Historian's office writes to Presiding Patriarch Eldred G. Smith that patriarchal blessings had been given through ten of the twelve tribes of Israel, the two not mentioned being the tribes of Issachar and Asher. And fifteen other lineages had been named in blessings, including that of Cain.
105 years ago today - Feb 20, 1921
[James E. Talmage]
Complaints of wicked and dangerous teachings and practises had been made against Moses S. Gudmundson, J. Elvan Houtz and others; and the Council of the Presidency and Twelve had directed that President Clawson and I be present at the trial. ... The testimony adduced proved conclusively that these men and other residents of the West Tintic branch had been so far misled as to disregard the sanctity of the marriage obligation, as administered in the Temples, and had adopted a system of 'wifesacrifice', whereby men were required to give up their wives to other men, and this under a diabolical misinterpretation of Scripture as to the law of sacrifice requiring one to give up all he has, even wife and children.
[James E. Talmage, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Complaints of wicked and dangerous teachings and practises had been made against Moses S. Gudmundson, J. Elvan Houtz and others; and the Council of the Presidency and Twelve had directed that President Clawson and I be present at the trial. ... The testimony adduced proved conclusively that these men and other residents of the West Tintic branch had been so far misled as to disregard the sanctity of the marriage obligation, as administered in the Temples, and had adopted a system of 'wifesacrifice', whereby men were required to give up their wives to other men, and this under a diabolical misinterpretation of Scripture as to the law of sacrifice requiring one to give up all he has, even wife and children.
[James E. Talmage, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
115 years ago today - Feb 20, 1911
The BYU Board of Trustees meets. The board, presided over by LDS church president Joseph F. Smith, "agreed that the Presidency of the Faculty should Consider the Cases of the teacher[s] in the university Henry and Jos. Peterson and R. V. Chamberlain." The three professors, who refused to change their teaching on evolution, were either fired or resigned under pressure.
120 years ago today - Feb 20, 1906
[John Henry Smith to George Alber Smith]
Since writing a few lines to you Bro[ther]. [Reed] Smoot has introduced me to some of my old friends and I have had some very pleasant conversations. They all seem to feel that we must do something to convince the public and also the Senators that we are not coniving in these later cases [of plural marriages]. One man [i.e., Theodore Roosevelt] told me that [John W.] Taylor [Matthias F.] Cowley and [Joseph M.] Tanner must be disciplined by the Church, not cast out but drooped from their positions, and that it must be done at a conference.
[John Henry Smith, Letter to George Albert Smith, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Since writing a few lines to you Bro[ther]. [Reed] Smoot has introduced me to some of my old friends and I have had some very pleasant conversations. They all seem to feel that we must do something to convince the public and also the Senators that we are not coniving in these later cases [of plural marriages]. One man [i.e., Theodore Roosevelt] told me that [John W.] Taylor [Matthias F.] Cowley and [Joseph M.] Tanner must be disciplined by the Church, not cast out but drooped from their positions, and that it must be done at a conference.
[John Henry Smith, Letter to George Albert Smith, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
120 years ago today - Tuesday, Feb 20, 1906
[Apostle John Henry Smith]
I had breakfast with Vice President [Charles W.] Fairbanks. ... Our meal consisted of Baked apples & cream, corn cake and butter, Hominy & Cream, Fried Eggs and French fried Potatoes and Coffee.
[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 had breakfast with Vice President [Charles W.] Fairbanks. ... Our meal consisted of Baked apples & cream, corn cake and butter, Hominy & Cream, Fried Eggs and French fried Potatoes and Coffee.
[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]
130 years ago today - Feb 20, 1896
Elders Reed Smoot and B[enjamin]. Cluff, Jr., accompanied by brother Willard Young and sister Susa Young Gates, called on the First Presidency, who were all at the office, and expressed satisfaction at the proposition for the B[righam]. Y[oung]. Academy to pass into the hands of the Church. Brother Young and sister Gates thought that the first thing to do was to obtain legal advice in reference to the transfer, and that this should be done before consulting the heirs of the estate of Pres[iden]t. [Brigham] Young. Brothers Cluff and Smoot were advised to consult attorneys in reference to making the change. It was agreed that there would be no necessity to change the name of the Institution, and the general opinion was that by the Church assuming control of the Academy and building up a strong Normal Department, the intention of the late Pres[iden]t. Young in reference to the Academy would be carried out with greater efficiency than ever.
[Journal History, 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]
[Journal History, 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]
175 years ago today - Feb 20, 1851
[Wilford Woodruff]
20th I spent the day in Council. Had a good time. Was Anointed & Blessed under the Hands of President Young.
[Endowment ceremony is again administered on regular basis since coming west, in such places as Brigham Young's office and upper room of Council House.]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies; The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn]
20th I spent the day in Council. Had a good time. Was Anointed & Blessed under the Hands of President Young.
[Endowment ceremony is again administered on regular basis since coming west, in such places as Brigham Young's office and upper room of Council House.]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies; The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn]
185 years ago today - Feb 20, 1841
The court-martial of the Nauvoo Legion, by a unanimous vote, adopts a resolution: "That no person whatever, residing within the limits of the City of Nauvoo, between the ages of 18 and 45 years, excepting such as are exempted by the laws of the United States, shall be exempt from military duty, unless exempted by a special act of this court; and the fines for neglecting or refusing to appear on the days of general parade were fixed at the following rates: for generals, $25; colonels, $20; captains, $15; lieutenants, $10; and musicians and privates, $5; and for company parade at the following rates-for commissioned officers, $5; noncommissioned officers, $3; musicians and privates, $2. The 1st and 6th of Apr, and the 3rd of Jul, were fixed upon as days for general parade for this year."
190 years ago today - Feb 20, 1836
Patriarchal Blessing of Julian Moses given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... thou shalt not fall a prey to that monster that fell from his high standing, before the most high: ... thou shalt have visions and shalt gaze upon the heavens, and the glories thereof, and thou shalt arise up to meet Christ in the air, while the earth shall reel to and fro and be cleansed and prepared for the saints ...
[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:53-54, 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 1:53-54, 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]
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