Today In Mormon History-fb
Several curious tidbits that happened on this day in Mormon History
50 years ago today - Jan 14, 1976
Church president Spencer W. Kimball and other officials learn of the discovery of a 150-pound set of brass plates, bound by rings, that a man in England claims were brought from South America by his grandfather. The man, Bert Fuchs, also claims to have some parchments from ancient Hawaii (which had no written language), a sword with a jeweled handle, and an odd pair of spectacles. The artifacts are given to the Church. Fuchs and his family are baptized, later move to the United States, meet with President Kimball and are sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. Paul Cheesman, a BYU religion professor interested in Book of Mormon artifacts, goes to England to collect the relics for investigation and brings them to Salt Lake City. The investigation of the relics is kept secret even from the Church Historian's Department and their existence is never announced publicly. After it is found that the supposed relics are fraudulent, modern creations, Fuchs is excommunicated.
65 years ago today - Jan 14, 1961
[Joseph Fielding Smith]
Why did Adam come here? Not subject to death when he was placed upon the earth, there had to come a change in his body through the partaking of this element---whatever you want to call it, fruit---that brought blood into his body; and blood became the life of the body instead of spirit. And blood has in it the seeds of death, some mortal element. Mortality was created through the eating of the forbidden fruit, if you want to call it forbidden, but I think the Lord has made it clear that it was not forbidden. He merely said to Adam, if you want to stay here this is the situation. If so, don't eat it.
[Address given at LDS Institute of Religion; Joseph Fielding Smith; Salt Lake City, Utah; January 14, 1961, in Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthly Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]
Why did Adam come here? Not subject to death when he was placed upon the earth, there had to come a change in his body through the partaking of this element---whatever you want to call it, fruit---that brought blood into his body; and blood became the life of the body instead of spirit. And blood has in it the seeds of death, some mortal element. Mortality was created through the eating of the forbidden fruit, if you want to call it forbidden, but I think the Lord has made it clear that it was not forbidden. He merely said to Adam, if you want to stay here this is the situation. If so, don't eat it.
[Address given at LDS Institute of Religion; Joseph Fielding Smith; Salt Lake City, Utah; January 14, 1961, in Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthly Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]
70 years ago today - Jan 14, 1956
[David O. McKay]
At 4 p.m. went to the Salt Lake Temple where I went over the temple ceremony in the master book and also the various parts used by those taking part. Gord[o]n Hinckley who is getting a book ready for the Los Angeles Temple called my attention to minor discrepancies between the master book and the parts used by the various participants. Found that a few errors have been made in re-typing the parts.
[David O. McKay diary, Jan. 14, 1956, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
At 4 p.m. went to the Salt Lake Temple where I went over the temple ceremony in the master book and also the various parts used by those taking part. Gord[o]n Hinckley who is getting a book ready for the Los Angeles Temple called my attention to minor discrepancies between the master book and the parts used by the various participants. Found that a few errors have been made in re-typing the parts.
[David O. McKay diary, Jan. 14, 1956, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
80 years ago today - Jan 14, 1946
European relief and call of Ezra Taft Benson as European Mission President...
In this position Elder Benson will attend to the spiritual affairs of the Saints in Europe as well as direct the work to make available food, clothing, and bedding for the members of the Church in these distressed areas. In excess of thirteen thousand packages have been shipped by the Church Welfare Program during the past several weeks. Plans are now being effected to send articles in carload quantities. Elder Benson takes to Europe his experience gained as secretary of the National Council of Farm Cooperatives.
[1946-January 14-Improvement Era 49:67, February, 1946, in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
In this position Elder Benson will attend to the spiritual affairs of the Saints in Europe as well as direct the work to make available food, clothing, and bedding for the members of the Church in these distressed areas. In excess of thirteen thousand packages have been shipped by the Church Welfare Program during the past several weeks. Plans are now being effected to send articles in carload quantities. Elder Benson takes to Europe his experience gained as secretary of the National Council of Farm Cooperatives.
[1946-January 14-Improvement Era 49:67, February, 1946, in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
105 years ago today - Jan 14, 1921
[James E. Talmage]
In addition to other committee work I attended an afternoon session of the Book of Mormon committee, at which preliminary arrangements were made for hearing some of the proponents of different views on Book of Mormon geography. Many varied and conflicting views concerning the location of Book of Mormon lands have been advocated amongst our people; and not a few maps have been put out. With all the precautions taken to make plain the fact that these maps have been intended as suggestive presentations only, we find some people accepting one map and others another as authoritative. The matter was brought before the Council through the receipt of a communication from Elder Joel Ricks of Logan, who several years ago published a map, of which over 6000 have been disposed of. Brother Ricks and several other good brethren have voiced a sort of complaint that they have had no opportunity to present their views, with the fulness they would desire, before the Church authorities. The entire
matter was referred to the Book of Mormon committee; and today appointments were made for the beginning of the series of hearings.
[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]
In addition to other committee work I attended an afternoon session of the Book of Mormon committee, at which preliminary arrangements were made for hearing some of the proponents of different views on Book of Mormon geography. Many varied and conflicting views concerning the location of Book of Mormon lands have been advocated amongst our people; and not a few maps have been put out. With all the precautions taken to make plain the fact that these maps have been intended as suggestive presentations only, we find some people accepting one map and others another as authoritative. The matter was brought before the Council through the receipt of a communication from Elder Joel Ricks of Logan, who several years ago published a map, of which over 6000 have been disposed of. Brother Ricks and several other good brethren have voiced a sort of complaint that they have had no opportunity to present their views, with the fulness they would desire, before the Church authorities. The entire
matter was referred to the Book of Mormon committee; and today appointments were made for the beginning of the series of hearings.
[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]
140 years ago today - Jan 14, 1886
Had an important meeting at Bro[ther] Jos[eph] F. Smith, Pres[iden]t Cannon & Woodruff, E[rastus]. Snow, F[ranklin]. D. Richard Richards B[righam]. Y[oung]. [Jr.] M[oses]. T[hatcher]. F[rancis]. M. L[yman]. J[ohn]. H[enry]. S[mith]. H[eber]. J. G[rant]. Jno. [John] W. Taylor talked business of saving church property from Gov[ernment] thieves.
[They decide "it was best to get rid of the Church property." Subsequently church property throughout Utah was put into newly formed corporations to avoid seizure by the federal government.]
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[They decide "it was best to get rid of the Church property." Subsequently church property throughout Utah was put into newly formed corporations to avoid seizure by the federal government.]
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
155 years ago today - Jan. 14th 1871
.... Elder Sutton inquired if the fact of no issue justified divorcement giving his opinion that it did not.
Prest. Rich said in case of impotency in the man it is sometimes the practice for a woman to obtain a divorce and none of us he thought had the authority to say it is wrong. ...
[Paris ward - Bear Lake Stake - School of the Prophets minutes 1869-72, typescript by Michael Nielsen]
Prest. Rich said in case of impotency in the man it is sometimes the practice for a woman to obtain a divorce and none of us he thought had the authority to say it is wrong. ...
[Paris ward - Bear Lake Stake - School of the Prophets minutes 1869-72, typescript by Michael Nielsen]
165 years ago today - Jan 14, 1861
Brigham Young's office journal records: "Bp Edward E. Hunter asked the President if he did not think our dancing parties were Kept open too late. The President said he should say no more about it. He formerly had wished the Bps to close early and he had always left the dances early by way of example of himself but he did know that a Bp knew a word about it."
180 years ago today - Jan 14, 1846
[Hosea Stout]
.... Just as dinner was ready an express came from the Temple for me forthwith whereupon Scott and I went immediately with out waiting for dinner. I was there notified by President B. Young to send spies out in different parts of the country to watch and report the proceedings of the mob -
I committed the business of sending spies out in Iowa to Sanford Porter who lives in Iowahe was to send some three or dour in different directions to watch their movements and let us know when anythings is going on among them against us...
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
.... Just as dinner was ready an express came from the Temple for me forthwith whereupon Scott and I went immediately with out waiting for dinner. I was there notified by President B. Young to send spies out in different parts of the country to watch and report the proceedings of the mob -
I committed the business of sending spies out in Iowa to Sanford Porter who lives in Iowahe was to send some three or dour in different directions to watch their movements and let us know when anythings is going on among them against us...
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
180 years ago today - Jan 14, 1846
John Taylor: Nauvoo Temple sealing to Elizabeth Kaighin (born 1811 in Isle of Man) 14 January 1846.
[Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
[Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
180 years ago today - Jan 14, 1846
Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Margaret Alley (1825-1852) (aged 20) first marriage 2 children
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
190 years ago today - Jan 14, 1836
Joseph Smith writes of performing a marriage ceremony after which "We then took some refreshment and our hearts were made glad with the fruit of the vine. This is according to pattern Set by our Saviour himself and we feel disposed to patronize all the institutions of heaven."
165 years ago today - Jan 13, 1861
In speaking of the Government President Young said the United States Goverment was in the fix that the man was that had to swim a river or meet a Lion. If He swam the river He would drown. If he met the Lion he would be devoured. So with the United States they are bound to be destroyed. Those things which [they] wished to bring Upon us shall Come upon them.
...President Young spoke of one Bally who Cursed Joseph Smith & the God that Called him to be a prophet & the man was taken Crazy on the Ground was taken home & died insane.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
...President Young spoke of one Bally who Cursed Joseph Smith & the God that Called him to be a prophet & the man was taken Crazy on the Ground was taken home & died insane.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Jan 13, 1856
[Wilford Woodruff]
On the return of the brethren from meeting they informed me that President Brigham Young had preached one of the greatest sermons he had ever deliverd on earth.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
On the return of the brethren from meeting they informed me that President Brigham Young had preached one of the greatest sermons he had ever deliverd on earth.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Jan 13, 1856
Brigham Young preaches: "The Lamanites on this Continent are Manassehites almost exclusively. There is but little of the seed of Ephraim among them. They are counted as the seed of Abraham and they must be saved or they would not have become so loathsome as they are. They are punished in the flesh to make attonement in the flesh for their sins & transgressions . . . The seed of Abraham has not been counted for many years NOR NEVER WILL BE AGAIN. If an Angel as to commence now to number them all when he had got the numbers together before they could be compiled there would be a great number more born during the time of there numeration so they could not be numbered & this is the reason why his seed Cannot be numbered. . . . We will administer in the Temple which we have now begun & that is one point gained & we will seal men to men by the highest keys of the Holy Priesthood. This is the highest ordinance. It is the last ordinance of the kingdom of God on the earth and aboe all the
endowments that can be given you. It is a finall sealing an Eternal Principle and when once made cannot be broaken by the Devel."
endowments that can be given you. It is a finall sealing an Eternal Principle and when once made cannot be broaken by the Devel."
180 years ago today - Tuesday, Jan 13, 1846
Nauvoo Temple Attic
said that ["]the saying of the Prophets would never be verified unless the House of the Lord be reared in the Tops of the Mountains & the Proud Banner of Liberty wave over the Valley's that are within the Mountains & I know where the spot is & I know how to make the Flag. Jos[eph Smith] sent out the coulours (colors)-& said where ever the coulours settled there would be the spot. There is another thing that I wish to say to this council[,] let an influence go out = we intend that every worthy man will recieve his endowment if not here [Nauvoo] he will have it in the wilderness.["]
[John D. Lee diary, "1844 Supplement", as quoted in Jedediah S. Rogers (editor), The Council of Fifty: A Documentary History, Signature Books (2014)]
said that ["]the saying of the Prophets would never be verified unless the House of the Lord be reared in the Tops of the Mountains & the Proud Banner of Liberty wave over the Valley's that are within the Mountains & I know where the spot is & I know how to make the Flag. Jos[eph Smith] sent out the coulours (colors)-& said where ever the coulours settled there would be the spot. There is another thing that I wish to say to this council[,] let an influence go out = we intend that every worthy man will recieve his endowment if not here [Nauvoo] he will have it in the wilderness.["]
[John D. Lee diary, "1844 Supplement", as quoted in Jedediah S. Rogers (editor), The Council of Fifty: A Documentary History, Signature Books (2014)]
180 years ago today - Tuesday, Jan 13, 1846
Nauvoo Temple Attic
said that ["]the saying of the Prophets would never be verified unless the House of the Lord be reared in the Tops of the Mountains & the Proud Banner of Liberty wave over the Valley's that are within the Mountains & I know where the spot is & I know how to make the Flag. Jos[eph Smith] sent out the coulours (colors)-& said where ever the coulours settled there would be the spot. There is another thing that I wish to say to this council[,] let an influence go out = we intend that every worthy man will recieve his endowment if not here [Nauvoo] he will have it in the wilderness.["]
[John D. Lee diary, "1844 Supplement", as quoted in Jedediah S. Rogers (editor), The Council of Fifty: A Documentary History, Signature Books (2014)]
said that ["]the saying of the Prophets would never be verified unless the House of the Lord be reared in the Tops of the Mountains & the Proud Banner of Liberty wave over the Valley's that are within the Mountains & I know where the spot is & I know how to make the Flag. Jos[eph Smith] sent out the coulours (colors)-& said where ever the coulours settled there would be the spot. There is another thing that I wish to say to this council[,] let an influence go out = we intend that every worthy man will recieve his endowment if not here [Nauvoo] he will have it in the wilderness.["]
[John D. Lee diary, "1844 Supplement", as quoted in Jedediah S. Rogers (editor), The Council of Fifty: A Documentary History, Signature Books (2014)]
180 years ago today - Tuesday, Jan 13, 1846
Nauvoo Temple Attic
A council was held in the Temple. The Captains of Fifties and Tens made reports of the number in their respective companies, who were prepared to start West immediately, should the persecutions of our enemies compel us to do so: one hundred and forty horses and seventy wagons were reported ready for immediate service.
[Historian's Office history, as quoted in Jedediah S. Rogers (editor), The Council of Fifty: A Documentary History, Signature Books (2014)]
A council was held in the Temple. The Captains of Fifties and Tens made reports of the number in their respective companies, who were prepared to start West immediately, should the persecutions of our enemies compel us to do so: one hundred and forty horses and seventy wagons were reported ready for immediate service.
[Historian's Office history, as quoted in Jedediah S. Rogers (editor), The Council of Fifty: A Documentary History, Signature Books (2014)]
190 years ago today - Jan 13, 1836
Joseph meets in council with the Missouri and Kirtland stake presidencies. Various changes in assignments in priesthood are made at this time; vacancies are filled. New officers are then set apart. Sidney Rigdon is administered to and healed from an ailment. Sidney then speaks on the subject of endowment and the meeting is concluded. Joseph records, "This has been one of the best days that I ever spent." (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 2:364-68.)
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
195 years ago today - Jan 13, 1831
Missionaries arrive at Independence. Peter Whitmer works as a tailor and Ziba Peterson as a teacher to support the mission while Oliver, Parley, and Frederick cross into Indian territory to convert the Lamanites. (They are expelled in a few days by an Indian agent enforcing federal laws prohibiting unauthorized whites in the territory.)
[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]
45 years ago today - Jan 12, 1981-Monday
[Leonard Arrington]
Lowell Durham and I have now conducted conversations with 10 of the 16 scholars appointed to do volumes for the Sesquicentennial series. Here is a brief summary, as I remember it, of these.
Richard Bushman, who has finished his manuscript in final form, will be paid in full $20,000 for his work. I strongly encouraged him to submit his manuscript to Johns Hopkins University Press for possible publication by them, or, alternatively, with Cornell University Press. I told him I thought he owed it to the Church and to the Mormon community to have it published as soon as possible so as to provide an alternative to [Fawn M.] Brodie's No Man Knows My History, which is used as a basic source for early Mormon history. If he does so and if they agree to publish the manuscript, they are to understand that Deseret Book will also reserve the right to publish the book eventually in a series, and Richard will agree to share royalties he may receive from such university press publication with Deseret Book, up to the amount of $10,000. Of course he'll never receive any such amount, but this is Deseret Book's way of trying to recoup on paying him the full amount if it is
published elsewhere first. [[Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism was published by the University of Illinois Press in 1986.]]
Mick Backman. Since his manuscript [on the Kirtland era] has been completed and approved, he has already been paid the $20,000-or received part of the payment spread over several years-and will leave his manuscript with Deseret Book to be published eventually by them. [[The Heavens Resound: A History of the Latter-Day Saints in Ohio, 1830-1838, pub- lished by Deseret Book in 1983.]]
Max Parkin has essentially finished his research for his volume on Missouri and will be given a payment of $10,000 from Deseret Book. He will expect to finish the volume on his own good time-perhaps within two years-and have it published by Deseret Book. He does not expect to submit it elsewhere. [[Parkin never finished the manuscript, although he wrote several articles and contrib- uted to other books on the subject.]]
Glen Leonard, representing also the Ed Lyon family. An agreement had already been made at the time of the death of Ed Lyon that Glen was to receive $15,000 and the Lyon family $ [[Nauvoo: A Place of Peace, A People of Promise, published by Deseret Book in 2002.]],000. Glen expects to suggest to Deseret Book that payment of $5,000 be made to the Lyon family. He, Glen, will then work on the volume [on the Nauvoo era] during the next couple of years and expect to finish it and expect to give the manuscript to Deseret Book, which will then hold it until they are ready to publish it. Gene Campbell brought his manuscript [on early pioneer Utah] with him, something like 24 chapters in rough form and roughly 3 chapters in finished form. He has done all the research. He will expect Deseret Book to give him $15,000 for all that he has done. He will then put in finished form all of the chapters, expecting that task to be completed by July, and the manuscript will go to Deseret Book
which will then hold it for possible publication sometime in the future. [[Establishing Zion: The Mormon Church in the American West, 1847-69, published by Signature Books in 1988.]]
Richard Cowan was assigned the period 1930 to 1950. He says he has completed one draft and has received suggestions from Maureen [Ursenbach Beecher] and us about improving the manuscript. He will be given $15,000 by Deseret Book and will then put the manuscript on the shelf, and in a matter of 2 or 3 years when Deseret Book is ready to consider publication he will complete the job using Maureen's suggestions and others that come up in the meantime and leave it to them to publish. ... [[The Church in the Twentieth Century, published by Bookcraft in 1985.]]
Jim Allen has not yet indicated definitely his plan, but essentially he wants to finish the book [on the late pioneer period] in a matter of a year or two and then receive the full payment from Deseret Book and leave it to them to publish.
Doug Tobler has done all the research and one hundred pages of the manuscript for his book [on the church in Europe]. Lowell estimated this to be roughly 3/4 completed and therefore suggested it would give him $15,000 and the remaining $5,000 when he delivers the manuscript which he said he would do within two years. He would leave the publication up to Deseret Book. If he should consider publishing it earlier through BYU Press, he will work out an arrangement with Deseret Book. [[Tobler's book was never published, though he authored several articles on the topic.]]
Lanier Britsch has finished both of his manuscripts [on Asia and Oceania]; one of them has been approved, the other being reworked by Maureen. Lanier has already received part of the full payment of $20,000. He will expect both manuscripts to be published by Deseret Book. Lowell indicated that he will submit one of Lanier's manuscripts to his board within a year and that will hopefully be the first volume of the sesquicentennial history to be published. While Lowell is now thinking in terms of Asian history, I am thinking that when Maureen finishes the South Sea islands history, which I expect will be within a month, we will urge Lowell to publish that one first. He will be so excited about having the book that I think he will do so. [[Unto the Islands of the Sea: A History of the Latter-day Saints in the Pacific, published in 1986; From the East: The History of the Latter-day Saints in Asia, 1851-1996, published in 1999, both from Deseret Book. Britsch was originally asked
to do one volume, and he divided the topic in two.]]
Davis Bitton has not yet indicated his own feelings, but I expect he will settle for half of the total payment and finish his volume [on social and cultural issues] within the next year or two [[Bitton's book was never published.]] and leave it to Deseret Book to publish. [[Originally the sixteen-volume series was to be titled "The History of the Latter-day Saints, 1830-1980," with Arrington as the general editor. The other volumes were to have been Reed C. Durham on the early pioneer experience, never published; Charles S. Peterson on the later pioneer period, never published; Thomas G. Alexander on the early twentieth century, published as Mormonism in Transition by University of Illinois Press; F. LaMond Tullis on Central/South America, covered in part by his work from Utah State University Press as Mormons in Mexico; S. George Ellsworth on the expansion of the church through missionary outreach, never published; and John L. Sorenson on twentieth-century social]]
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Lowell Durham and I have now conducted conversations with 10 of the 16 scholars appointed to do volumes for the Sesquicentennial series. Here is a brief summary, as I remember it, of these.
Richard Bushman, who has finished his manuscript in final form, will be paid in full $20,000 for his work. I strongly encouraged him to submit his manuscript to Johns Hopkins University Press for possible publication by them, or, alternatively, with Cornell University Press. I told him I thought he owed it to the Church and to the Mormon community to have it published as soon as possible so as to provide an alternative to [Fawn M.] Brodie's No Man Knows My History, which is used as a basic source for early Mormon history. If he does so and if they agree to publish the manuscript, they are to understand that Deseret Book will also reserve the right to publish the book eventually in a series, and Richard will agree to share royalties he may receive from such university press publication with Deseret Book, up to the amount of $10,000. Of course he'll never receive any such amount, but this is Deseret Book's way of trying to recoup on paying him the full amount if it is
published elsewhere first. [[Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism was published by the University of Illinois Press in 1986.]]
Mick Backman. Since his manuscript [on the Kirtland era] has been completed and approved, he has already been paid the $20,000-or received part of the payment spread over several years-and will leave his manuscript with Deseret Book to be published eventually by them. [[The Heavens Resound: A History of the Latter-Day Saints in Ohio, 1830-1838, pub- lished by Deseret Book in 1983.]]
Max Parkin has essentially finished his research for his volume on Missouri and will be given a payment of $10,000 from Deseret Book. He will expect to finish the volume on his own good time-perhaps within two years-and have it published by Deseret Book. He does not expect to submit it elsewhere. [[Parkin never finished the manuscript, although he wrote several articles and contrib- uted to other books on the subject.]]
Glen Leonard, representing also the Ed Lyon family. An agreement had already been made at the time of the death of Ed Lyon that Glen was to receive $15,000 and the Lyon family $ [[Nauvoo: A Place of Peace, A People of Promise, published by Deseret Book in 2002.]],000. Glen expects to suggest to Deseret Book that payment of $5,000 be made to the Lyon family. He, Glen, will then work on the volume [on the Nauvoo era] during the next couple of years and expect to finish it and expect to give the manuscript to Deseret Book, which will then hold it until they are ready to publish it. Gene Campbell brought his manuscript [on early pioneer Utah] with him, something like 24 chapters in rough form and roughly 3 chapters in finished form. He has done all the research. He will expect Deseret Book to give him $15,000 for all that he has done. He will then put in finished form all of the chapters, expecting that task to be completed by July, and the manuscript will go to Deseret Book
which will then hold it for possible publication sometime in the future. [[Establishing Zion: The Mormon Church in the American West, 1847-69, published by Signature Books in 1988.]]
Richard Cowan was assigned the period 1930 to 1950. He says he has completed one draft and has received suggestions from Maureen [Ursenbach Beecher] and us about improving the manuscript. He will be given $15,000 by Deseret Book and will then put the manuscript on the shelf, and in a matter of 2 or 3 years when Deseret Book is ready to consider publication he will complete the job using Maureen's suggestions and others that come up in the meantime and leave it to them to publish. ... [[The Church in the Twentieth Century, published by Bookcraft in 1985.]]
Jim Allen has not yet indicated definitely his plan, but essentially he wants to finish the book [on the late pioneer period] in a matter of a year or two and then receive the full payment from Deseret Book and leave it to them to publish.
Doug Tobler has done all the research and one hundred pages of the manuscript for his book [on the church in Europe]. Lowell estimated this to be roughly 3/4 completed and therefore suggested it would give him $15,000 and the remaining $5,000 when he delivers the manuscript which he said he would do within two years. He would leave the publication up to Deseret Book. If he should consider publishing it earlier through BYU Press, he will work out an arrangement with Deseret Book. [[Tobler's book was never published, though he authored several articles on the topic.]]
Lanier Britsch has finished both of his manuscripts [on Asia and Oceania]; one of them has been approved, the other being reworked by Maureen. Lanier has already received part of the full payment of $20,000. He will expect both manuscripts to be published by Deseret Book. Lowell indicated that he will submit one of Lanier's manuscripts to his board within a year and that will hopefully be the first volume of the sesquicentennial history to be published. While Lowell is now thinking in terms of Asian history, I am thinking that when Maureen finishes the South Sea islands history, which I expect will be within a month, we will urge Lowell to publish that one first. He will be so excited about having the book that I think he will do so. [[Unto the Islands of the Sea: A History of the Latter-day Saints in the Pacific, published in 1986; From the East: The History of the Latter-day Saints in Asia, 1851-1996, published in 1999, both from Deseret Book. Britsch was originally asked
to do one volume, and he divided the topic in two.]]
Davis Bitton has not yet indicated his own feelings, but I expect he will settle for half of the total payment and finish his volume [on social and cultural issues] within the next year or two [[Bitton's book was never published.]] and leave it to Deseret Book to publish. [[Originally the sixteen-volume series was to be titled "The History of the Latter-day Saints, 1830-1980," with Arrington as the general editor. The other volumes were to have been Reed C. Durham on the early pioneer experience, never published; Charles S. Peterson on the later pioneer period, never published; Thomas G. Alexander on the early twentieth century, published as Mormonism in Transition by University of Illinois Press; F. LaMond Tullis on Central/South America, covered in part by his work from Utah State University Press as Mormons in Mexico; S. George Ellsworth on the expansion of the church through missionary outreach, never published; and John L. Sorenson on twentieth-century social]]
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
60 years ago today - Jan 12, 1966
[David O. McKay]
Consideration was given to a letter from H---- B---- de E----, also a letter from Bishop K----F-------- S----- and Counselors * , these letters having reference to the problems involved in this sister's marriage to a Negro. She became a member in 1961, received her endowments in 1963, and was divorced from her former husband in 1965. She has subsequently married a Negro non-member, and has been told by the Bishopric that no further Temple visits would be allowed her, and that because of her marriage to a Negro her Temple endowments are ineffective. It was decided to write the bishopric asking that they inform this sister that the fact of her marriage to a Negro does not cancel her endowments; that, however, under the circumstances she should not be recommended to the Temple for further ordinance work. The Bishopric also are to be told that any children born of this marriage cannot hold the Priesthood; however, there is no reason why she cannot be active in the Ward and Stake.
[David O. McKay diary, Jan. 12, 1966; hyphens added to conceal names, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
Consideration was given to a letter from H---- B---- de E----, also a letter from Bishop K----F-------- S----- and Counselors * , these letters having reference to the problems involved in this sister's marriage to a Negro. She became a member in 1961, received her endowments in 1963, and was divorced from her former husband in 1965. She has subsequently married a Negro non-member, and has been told by the Bishopric that no further Temple visits would be allowed her, and that because of her marriage to a Negro her Temple endowments are ineffective. It was decided to write the bishopric asking that they inform this sister that the fact of her marriage to a Negro does not cancel her endowments; that, however, under the circumstances she should not be recommended to the Temple for further ordinance work. The Bishopric also are to be told that any children born of this marriage cannot hold the Priesthood; however, there is no reason why she cannot be active in the Ward and Stake.
[David O. McKay diary, Jan. 12, 1966; hyphens added to conceal names, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
140 years ago today - Wednesday, Jan. 12th, 1886
[General Authority Abraham H. Cannon]
Bro. Thatcher prophesied that if the people would do right they would be prospered here and would. . .
I dwelt on the return of the Saints to Jackson Co. and their final destiny. I felt quite free after getting started and several of the brethren said they were glad I had touched upon the subjects I did, for many of the Saints are beginning to lose sight of the fact that we are to return to Jackson Co. and there build up the Center Stake.
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
Bro. Thatcher prophesied that if the people would do right they would be prospered here and would. . .
I dwelt on the return of the Saints to Jackson Co. and their final destiny. I felt quite free after getting started and several of the brethren said they were glad I had touched upon the subjects I did, for many of the Saints are beginning to lose sight of the fact that we are to return to Jackson Co. and there build up the Center Stake.
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
145 years ago today - Jan 12, 1881
[Franklin D. Richards]
J[oseph]. F. S[mith]. Prayed and appointed next Wednesday to meet and wash our feet against certain of our enemies, and bearing witness against them before the Lord.
[Franklin D. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
J[oseph]. F. S[mith]. Prayed and appointed next Wednesday to meet and wash our feet against certain of our enemies, and bearing witness against them before the Lord.
[Franklin D. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
175 years ago today - Jan 12, 1851
President Brigham Young, preaching against "swareing or takeing the name of God in vain," says "the time might Come when the Lord would require him & the Elders of Israel to sharpen up their swords & go fourth & hew down the wicked in their midst. He said any Righteous man that Herd any one of his Children take the name of God in vain that He might whip them until He was satisfied."
[Wilford Woodruff Journal Vol 4, pg 3, also http://ogdenkraut.com/Wilford%20Woodruff%20Journal%20Excerpts.htm quoted here , [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Wilford Woodruff Journal Vol 4, pg 3, also http://ogdenkraut.com/Wilford%20Woodruff%20Journal%20Excerpts.htm quoted here , [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
175 years ago today - Jan 12, 1851 (Afternoon)
[Brigham Young]
"I think more of men who are polite and do not come into the church - than those who do come in "
[Thomas Bullock Minutes, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
"I think more of men who are polite and do not come into the church - than those who do come in "
[Thomas Bullock Minutes, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
180 years ago today - Jan 12, 1846
[Hosea Stout]
This morning about 2 oclock A. m. I was awoke by Joseph Taylor who had come from the Temple to let me know that the troops from Carthage were coming in and I immediately arose and went to the Temple and found some of the guard present[.] The Twelve were some of them up and on the ground and so I sent out spies to see where they had gone to. Near daylight I was informed that they had taken Andrew Colton and sent him to carthage and a party remained till day for what we knew not. In the mein time I had sent for all the guard to be called together at the Temple and there be ready for an emergency...
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
This morning about 2 oclock A. m. I was awoke by Joseph Taylor who had come from the Temple to let me know that the troops from Carthage were coming in and I immediately arose and went to the Temple and found some of the guard present[.] The Twelve were some of them up and on the ground and so I sent out spies to see where they had gone to. Near daylight I was informed that they had taken Andrew Colton and sent him to carthage and a party remained till day for what we knew not. In the mein time I had sent for all the guard to be called together at the Temple and there be ready for an emergency...
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
180 years ago today - Jan 12, 1846
Apostle Parley P Pratt: accused by Apostle Orson Pratt the 12 Jan. 1846 before Twelve that while on mission he (Parley P Pratt ) would "seduce girls or females and sleep & have connexion with them contrary to the law of God," Parley P Pratt said this was a misunderstanding of cohabiting with plural wives, though he did not inform Brigham Young of an unauthorized relationship with Phoebe Soper
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
180 years ago today - Jan 12, 1846
Young tells a temple congregation that General instructed him in the colors and design of a flag that he intends to unfurl in the "valleys that are within the Mountains." The Flag of the Kingdom of God proved to be similar to the American flag but with twelve white stars encircling one large star, and blue and white stripes.
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
180 years ago today - 12 [Jan 1846]
[Brigham Young]
The remainder of the day I spent at the alter officiating in the ordinances of sealing -- In the evening Evan M. Greene: my clerk through sickness was compelled to retire from his labour Br. John D. Lee I appointed to take his place there being a few records to be kept sepperately & apart containing the first Sealings of the living & of Proxy of adoptions & also that of the 2nd anointings which I found to be quite a task for one man to perform therefore I employed Bro. Franklin D. Richard to assist in keeping those Records above aluded too- Such was the anxiety manifested by the Saints to receive the ordinances of Endowment & no less on our part to have them get the keys of the Priesthood- that I gave myself up entirely to the work of the Lord in the Temple almost night & Day I have spent not taking more than 4 hours upon an average out of 24 to Sleep- - - & but seldom ever allowing myself the the time & opportunity of going home once in a week---
[Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
The remainder of the day I spent at the alter officiating in the ordinances of sealing -- In the evening Evan M. Greene: my clerk through sickness was compelled to retire from his labour Br. John D. Lee I appointed to take his place there being a few records to be kept sepperately & apart containing the first Sealings of the living & of Proxy of adoptions & also that of the 2nd anointings which I found to be quite a task for one man to perform therefore I employed Bro. Franklin D. Richard to assist in keeping those Records above aluded too- Such was the anxiety manifested by the Saints to receive the ordinances of Endowment & no less on our part to have them get the keys of the Priesthood- that I gave myself up entirely to the work of the Lord in the Temple almost night & Day I have spent not taking more than 4 hours upon an average out of 24 to Sleep- - - & but seldom ever allowing myself the the time & opportunity of going home once in a week---
[Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
185 years ago today - Jan 12, 1841
Joseph Smith teaches that not all sin is vice and that murders cannot be redeemed in this life.
[http://www.boap.org/LDS/Parallel/1841/12Jan41.html The McIntire Minute Book , [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[http://www.boap.org/LDS/Parallel/1841/12Jan41.html The McIntire Minute Book , [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
190 years ago today - Jan 12, 1836
The Kirtland High Council nominates a committee to draft rules for the soon-to-be-dedicated Kirtland temple. The committee consists of Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, W.W. Phelps, David Whitmer, and Hyrum Smith. The rules drafted include: "1st It is according to the rules and regulations of regular & legal organized bodies to have a president to keep order. "2nd The body thus organized are under obligations to be in subjection to that authority." ". . .No man shall be interrupted who is appointed to speak by permission of the Church, by any individual person or persons in the congregation, by whispering, by laughing, by talking, by menacing gestures, by getting up and running out in a disorderly manner, or by offering indignity to the manner of worship, or the religion, or to any officer of said Church while officiating in his office, in any wise whatever by any display of ill manners or ill breeding from old or young, rich or poor, male or female, bond or free, black or white,
believer or unbeliever and if any of the above insults are offered, such measures will be taken as are lawful to punish the aggressor or aggressors and eject them out of the House. . . ." "6th All persons are prohibited [from] cutting, marking or maiming the inside or outside of the House with a knife, pencil or any other instrument whatever, under pain of such penalty as the law shall inflict. "7th all children are prohibited from assembling in the House above or below or in any part of it to play or for recreation at any time and all parents, guardians or masters shall be amenable for all damage that shall occur in consequence of their children. "8th All persons whether believer or unbelievers shall be treated with due respect by the authorities of the Church."
believer or unbeliever and if any of the above insults are offered, such measures will be taken as are lawful to punish the aggressor or aggressors and eject them out of the House. . . ." "6th All persons are prohibited [from] cutting, marking or maiming the inside or outside of the House with a knife, pencil or any other instrument whatever, under pain of such penalty as the law shall inflict. "7th all children are prohibited from assembling in the House above or below or in any part of it to play or for recreation at any time and all parents, guardians or masters shall be amenable for all damage that shall occur in consequence of their children. "8th All persons whether believer or unbelievers shall be treated with due respect by the authorities of the Church."
195 years ago today - Jan 12, 1831
Dispatched from New York in accordance with a now-unknown revelation, John Whitmer arrives in Kirtland with the newly revealed book of Moses and other revelations designating Kirtland as the eastern edge of the land of Zion—which extends to the Pacific Ocean—and directing the Saints not to sell their lands, but rather to purchase as much as they can.
[Painesville [Ohio] Telegraph, Eber D. Howe, ed.http://www.sidneyrigdon.com/dbroadhu/OH/paintel2.htm#011831 copy here , [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Painesville [Ohio] Telegraph, Eber D. Howe, ed.http://www.sidneyrigdon.com/dbroadhu/OH/paintel2.htm#011831 copy here , [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
45 years ago today - Jan 10, 1981
Fawn McKay Brodie, niece of David O. McKay and author of NO MAN KNOWS MY HISTORY (for which she was excommunicated) dies of cancer in Santa Monica, California at age 65. During her last months she refuses pain medication fearing that it will interfere with her final work - a biography of Richard Nixon. She does, however, ask for and receive a blessing from her active, LDS brother. This later leads to the false rumor that she returned to the Church at the end. At the time she states, "any exaggeration about my requests for a blessing meaning that I was asking to be taken back into the Church at that moment I strictly repudiate and would for all time." Her remains are cremated and the ashes scattered to the wind over the Pacific Palisades area she loved and protected.
95 years ago today - Jan 10, 1931
[Joseph Fielding Smith]
At the H[istorian's] O[ffice] preparing reply to B H Roberts' paper on the Pre-Adamites.
[Joseph Fielding Smith, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
At the H[istorian's] O[ffice] preparing reply to B H Roberts' paper on the Pre-Adamites.
[Joseph Fielding Smith, 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 - Jan 10, 1906
First Council of Seventy instructs B.H. Roberts to go to Los Angeles for "recuperation" from "a weakness for liquor that had fastened itself upon him." Roberts confessed his problem to the Council in 1901, and its senior president writes in 1908 that he "has been many times much the worse for Liquor in so much that his brethren of the Council have had to take up a labor with him."
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
125 years ago today - Thursday, Jan 10, 1901
Apostle Reed Smoot ... Referred to some of the fast meetings in Provo last Sunday and said the spirit and power of testimony rested upon the people and the gifts of the gospel were manifested. One brother spoke in tongues to the effect that the impressions given to Pres. Snow of late regarding the redemption of the center stake of Zion and the building of the great temple were from the Lord and such event would transpire much sooner than many supposed.
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
180 years ago today - Jan 10, 1846
Two twelve year olds sealed together in Nauvoo Temple each married other spouses in Utah
"On about January 10, 1846, I was privileged to go in the temple… I was sealed to a lovely young girl named Mary, who was about my age, but it was with the understanding that we were not to live together as man and wife until we were 16 years of age. The reason that some were sealed so young was because we knew that we would have to go West and wait many a long time for another temple".
[Mosiah Lyman Hancock Autobiography (1834-1865), typescript, BYU-S; published version by Pioneer Press, Salt Lake City, undated, 20-21; Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
"On about January 10, 1846, I was privileged to go in the temple… I was sealed to a lovely young girl named Mary, who was about my age, but it was with the understanding that we were not to live together as man and wife until we were 16 years of age. The reason that some were sealed so young was because we knew that we would have to go West and wait many a long time for another temple".
[Mosiah Lyman Hancock Autobiography (1834-1865), typescript, BYU-S; published version by Pioneer Press, Salt Lake City, undated, 20-21; Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
185 years ago today - Jan 10, 1841
[Wilford Woodruff]
Sister Redman thinks it is the hand of God to bring her to London to help rool on the work of God in this city. She has tried to find us many days, but no one would tell her. On Saturday night she dreamed if she would go to Goswell Road she would see two women & if she followed them it would lead her to the place of meeting. She did so & herd my voice while I was speaking & came into meeting & communed with us. It was a joyful meeting indeed.
She had a vision a few nights since of being called before her Majesty, the Queen Victoria & confined in London Tower because of her religion.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Sister Redman thinks it is the hand of God to bring her to London to help rool on the work of God in this city. She has tried to find us many days, but no one would tell her. On Saturday night she dreamed if she would go to Goswell Road she would see two women & if she followed them it would lead her to the place of meeting. She did so & herd my voice while I was speaking & came into meeting & communed with us. It was a joyful meeting indeed.
She had a vision a few nights since of being called before her Majesty, the Queen Victoria & confined in London Tower because of her religion.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
195 years ago today - Before Jan 10, 1831
John Corrill, later a convert, visited Kirtland where he said he heard Mormons "speak in tongues unknown to me," and was informed by some non-Mormons who were present "that the tongues were regular Indian dialects, which I was also informed, on inquiry, the persons who spoke had never learned."
[John Corrill, A Brief History of the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints, (Commonly Called Mormons) . . . (St. Louis: John Corrill, 1839), 9; Dan Vogel and Scott C. Dunn, '"The Tongue of Angels": Glossolalia among Mormonism's Founders,' Journal of Mormon History Vol. 19, No. 2, 1993]
[John Corrill, A Brief History of the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints, (Commonly Called Mormons) . . . (St. Louis: John Corrill, 1839), 9; Dan Vogel and Scott C. Dunn, '"The Tongue of Angels": Glossolalia among Mormonism's Founders,' Journal of Mormon History Vol. 19, No. 2, 1993]
130 years ago today - Jan 9, 1896
[Marriner W. Merrill]
Thursday. I went to Savage's Art Gallery and paid $6.00 cash for a picture frame for my photo to hang up in the Annex of the Salt Lake Temple, the Twelve Apostles all having their photos there. I went to the President's office to get my over shoes, as President Woodruff had taken them in mistake and left his, which were too small for me. I found he had gone home and worn them, so I had to buy another pair at Z. C. M. I., which cost me $1.50.
[Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Thursday. I went to Savage's Art Gallery and paid $6.00 cash for a picture frame for my photo to hang up in the Annex of the Salt Lake Temple, the Twelve Apostles all having their photos there. I went to the President's office to get my over shoes, as President Woodruff had taken them in mistake and left his, which were too small for me. I found he had gone home and worn them, so I had to buy another pair at Z. C. M. I., which cost me $1.50.
[Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
130 years ago today - Jan 9, 1896
Apostle John W. Taylor is assigned by the Quorum of Twelve to speak to fellow apostle Moses Thatcher "and talk over with him his condition or views on the question of insubordination in regard to running for office without an understanding with his brethren." Three months later Thatcher is dropped from the quorum for refusing to sign the "political manifesto" which requires every leading official to get permission from the proper authorities before accepting any position "political or otherwise." The "political manifesto" was seen as aimed at Moses Thatcher and B. H. Roberts, democrats, who had run for office without first getting permission from the brethren, while leaving certain other church officers free to engage in republican politics.
135 years ago today - Jan 9, 1891
Refutation of falsehoods appearing in the Illustrated American-- also Der Stern 21:97-116 (April 1, 1891).
This document or article is an answer to a series of articles which had appeared in the magazine, Illustrated American. The author of the articles (seemingly unsigned) claimed to be a "Mormon." Wilford Woodruff, as President of the Church, points out the historical inaccuracies and plagiarisms in the articles. The articles and President Woodruff's reply devote considerable space to the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
Salt Lake City, Utah, January 9th, 1891.
Editor Illustrated American:
My attention has been called to articles in your magazine of December 27th and January 3rd concerning the "Mormon" Church. I have neither the time nor the inclination to notice the numerous misstatements and vile aspersions that frequently appear in the public prints in reference to the "Mormons." ...
We do not believe, as stated by the pretended "Mormon," that divulging the secrets of the Endowment House, marital unfaithfulness on the part of the wife, leaving the Mormon Church, are unpardonable, or that "the only atonement that can be made for any of these offences is the atonement of blood." The statement that "this doctrine is part of our duty" is another proof that the writer is not a "Mormon," and that he does not understand, or else that he wilfully misrepresents the faith which he pretends to explain.
The connection drawn between this alleged doctrine and the murders committed at Mountain Meadows, also proves the falsity of the claim that the writer is a "Mormon," and demonstrates his misapprehension of his own subject. The company that fell victims to Indian ferocity and white vengeance and rapacity were not "Mormons." They had revealed no secrets, they had not left the Church, they had done nothing to justify their slaughter, even on the false theory of Blood Atonement copied by the writer in the American from old newspaper fiction. This should be evident even to the casual reader.
... There is no pretext for a collision between the Mormons and the government. The only dispute that has arisen of late years between them was a question of law. That has been settled by the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States and the action of the Church in general conference. Plural marriage has been judicially decided to be unlawful. The Church has accepted the decision as legally final, and by my official advice as President of the Church has in the most solemn and authoritative manner decided not to enter into any marriages in future that are contrary to the laws of the land. ...
WILFORD WOODRUFF. President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
[Typewritten letter, Church Historian's Library, in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
This document or article is an answer to a series of articles which had appeared in the magazine, Illustrated American. The author of the articles (seemingly unsigned) claimed to be a "Mormon." Wilford Woodruff, as President of the Church, points out the historical inaccuracies and plagiarisms in the articles. The articles and President Woodruff's reply devote considerable space to the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
Salt Lake City, Utah, January 9th, 1891.
Editor Illustrated American:
My attention has been called to articles in your magazine of December 27th and January 3rd concerning the "Mormon" Church. I have neither the time nor the inclination to notice the numerous misstatements and vile aspersions that frequently appear in the public prints in reference to the "Mormons." ...
We do not believe, as stated by the pretended "Mormon," that divulging the secrets of the Endowment House, marital unfaithfulness on the part of the wife, leaving the Mormon Church, are unpardonable, or that "the only atonement that can be made for any of these offences is the atonement of blood." The statement that "this doctrine is part of our duty" is another proof that the writer is not a "Mormon," and that he does not understand, or else that he wilfully misrepresents the faith which he pretends to explain.
The connection drawn between this alleged doctrine and the murders committed at Mountain Meadows, also proves the falsity of the claim that the writer is a "Mormon," and demonstrates his misapprehension of his own subject. The company that fell victims to Indian ferocity and white vengeance and rapacity were not "Mormons." They had revealed no secrets, they had not left the Church, they had done nothing to justify their slaughter, even on the false theory of Blood Atonement copied by the writer in the American from old newspaper fiction. This should be evident even to the casual reader.
... There is no pretext for a collision between the Mormons and the government. The only dispute that has arisen of late years between them was a question of law. That has been settled by the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States and the action of the Church in general conference. Plural marriage has been judicially decided to be unlawful. The Church has accepted the decision as legally final, and by my official advice as President of the Church has in the most solemn and authoritative manner decided not to enter into any marriages in future that are contrary to the laws of the land. ...
WILFORD WOODRUFF. President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
[Typewritten letter, Church Historian's Library, in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
135 years ago today - Jan 9, 1891
[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill]
I received from Samuel Roskelly, Temple Recorder, the yearly bulletin showing the amount of work done in Logan Temple for 1890, which is as follows: Baptisms, 30,788; endowments, 12,748; ordinations, 4,465; sealings, 3,831, children to parents, 1,492; adoptions, 53; second anointings, 207.
[Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I received from Samuel Roskelly, Temple Recorder, the yearly bulletin showing the amount of work done in Logan Temple for 1890, which is as follows: Baptisms, 30,788; endowments, 12,748; ordinations, 4,465; sealings, 3,831, children to parents, 1,492; adoptions, 53; second anointings, 207.
[Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
175 years ago today - Jan 9, 1851
Salt Lake City was incorporated.
[Richards, Franklin Dewey and Little, James A., Compendium of the Doctrines of the Gospel, Church Chronology, Ch.66, p.306, http://www.amazon.com/Compendium-Doctrines-Gospel-ebook/dp/B002LTY4Z0?ie=UTF8tag=mormonchronic-20link_code=btlcamp=213689creative=392969]
[Richards, Franklin Dewey and Little, James A., Compendium of the Doctrines of the Gospel, Church Chronology, Ch.66, p.306, http://www.amazon.com/Compendium-Doctrines-Gospel-ebook/dp/B002LTY4Z0?ie=UTF8tag=mormonchronic-20link_code=btlcamp=213689creative=392969]
180 years ago today - Jan 9, 1846
[Hosea Stout]
When we came to the Temple some what a considerable number of the guard were assembled and among them was William Hibbard son of the old man Hibbard. He was evidently come as a spy. When I saw him I told Scott that we must "bounce a stone off of his head."to which he agreedwe prepared accordingly & I got an opportunity & hit him on the back of his head which came very near taking his life[.] But few knew any thing about what was the matter he left the ground out of his senses when he came to himself he could not tell what had happened to him &c
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
When we came to the Temple some what a considerable number of the guard were assembled and among them was William Hibbard son of the old man Hibbard. He was evidently come as a spy. When I saw him I told Scott that we must "bounce a stone off of his head."to which he agreedwe prepared accordingly & I got an opportunity & hit him on the back of his head which came very near taking his life[.] But few knew any thing about what was the matter he left the ground out of his senses when he came to himself he could not tell what had happened to him &c
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
180 years ago today - Jan 9, 1846
[Brigham Young]
I observed to the brethren that it was my wish that all dancing and merriment should cease, lest the brethren and sisters be carried away by levity; and that the name of the Deity should be held in reverence, with all the due deference that belongeth to an infinite being of his character.
[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)]
I observed to the brethren that it was my wish that all dancing and merriment should cease, lest the brethren and sisters be carried away by levity; and that the name of the Deity should be held in reverence, with all the due deference that belongeth to an infinite being of his character.
[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)]
190 years ago today - Jan 9, 1836
Saturday, 9th Attended School in the fore noon. At about 11 o'clock received the following note:
Thus saith the voice of the Spirit to me, if try Brother Joseph Smith, J[unio]r will attend the feast at thy house this day (at 12 o'cl[ock]) the poor and lame will rejoice at his presence and also think themselves honored.
Yours in friendship and Love,
N[ewel] K. W[hitney]
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1835-36, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
Thus saith the voice of the Spirit to me, if try Brother Joseph Smith, J[unio]r will attend the feast at thy house this day (at 12 o'cl[ock]) the poor and lame will rejoice at his presence and also think themselves honored.
Yours in friendship and Love,
N[ewel] K. W[hitney]
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1835-36, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
50 years ago today - Jan 07, 1976
The Religious Studies Center at Brigham Young University is established to publish scholarly work dealing with topics of interest to Latter-day Saints.
95 years ago today - Jan 7, 1931
B. H. Roberts defends his position which favors the theory of evolution and the existence of "preadamites" before a council of the Twelve Apostles. In a letter to Church President Heber J. Grant Roberts had previously criticized a dogmatic anti-evolution pronouncement by Apostle Joseph Fielding Smith: "If Elder Smith is merely putting forth his own position I call in question his competency to utter such dogmatism either as scholar or as an apostle. I am sure he is not competent to speak in such a manner from general learning or special research work on the subject; nor as an Apostle as in that case he would be in conflict with the plain implication of the scriptures, both ancient and modern and with the teaching of a more experienced and learned and earlier apostle [Orson Hyde], and a contemporary of the prophet Joseph Smith-whose public discourse on the subject appears in the Journal of Discourses and was publicly endorsed by president Brigham Young, all of which would have more
weight in setting forth doctrine than this last dictum of Elder Smith." Two weeks later Joseph Fielding Smith presents his view, a defense of scriptural literalism: "The doctrine of organic evolution which pervades the modern day sciences proclaiming the edict that man has evolved from the lower forms of life through the Java skull, the Heidelberg jaw, the Piltdown man, the Neanderthal skull and last but not least the Peiping man who lived millions of years ago is as false as their author who lives in hell." The Apostles referred the matter back to the First Presidency noting only Roberts' language is "very offensive . . . failing to show the deference due from one brother to another brother of higher rank in the priesthood.- The First Presidency decides that "Neither side of the controversy has been accepted as a doctrine at all" but cautions that general authorities should be more careful when speaking publicly on controversial topics.
weight in setting forth doctrine than this last dictum of Elder Smith." Two weeks later Joseph Fielding Smith presents his view, a defense of scriptural literalism: "The doctrine of organic evolution which pervades the modern day sciences proclaiming the edict that man has evolved from the lower forms of life through the Java skull, the Heidelberg jaw, the Piltdown man, the Neanderthal skull and last but not least the Peiping man who lived millions of years ago is as false as their author who lives in hell." The Apostles referred the matter back to the First Presidency noting only Roberts' language is "very offensive . . . failing to show the deference due from one brother to another brother of higher rank in the priesthood.- The First Presidency decides that "Neither side of the controversy has been accepted as a doctrine at all" but cautions that general authorities should be more careful when speaking publicly on controversial topics.
120 years ago today - Ca. Jan 7, 1906
[Apostle/Senator Reed smoot to President Joseph F. Smith]
.... it was agreed that I should see President [Theodore] Roosevelt on my return to Washington [D.C.] and tell him that the quorum of Apostles had investigated [John W.] Taylor and [Matthias F.] Cowley's case and they had admitted taking plural wives since the Manifesto but it was done not in this country and they never considered the Manifesto applied to any place outside the US. To tend their resignations and ask his advise as to making them public and tell him the reason of the delay. ... The more I studied it and followed the action taken to its logical conclusion the more I became convinced I am either wrong in my conclusions of the Brethren were at home agreeing upon the policy adopted. I could not help but think if I went to President Roosevelt and told him Taylor and Cowley had admitted their guilt, the President in his blunt, honest, and personal way would immediately ask me whether they had been excommunicated, and if not, why not; that the action agreed upon would not
have the desired result, but just the opposite. A mere resignation just before the resuming of the case would be looked upon as a mere subterfuge and worthy of the severest condemnation. ... The fact that they had admitted their guilt and the church knowing it and not excommunicating them would be proof positive of our undoing. ... I decided in my own mind rather than go to President R[oosevelt] I would first talk with George Sutherland and [bind] him to secrecy. I knew if I spoke to the President [he] would have to act and perhaps he would be displeased with our action in the matter.
[Reed Smoot, Draft of letter to Joseph F. Smith, 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]
.... it was agreed that I should see President [Theodore] Roosevelt on my return to Washington [D.C.] and tell him that the quorum of Apostles had investigated [John W.] Taylor and [Matthias F.] Cowley's case and they had admitted taking plural wives since the Manifesto but it was done not in this country and they never considered the Manifesto applied to any place outside the US. To tend their resignations and ask his advise as to making them public and tell him the reason of the delay. ... The more I studied it and followed the action taken to its logical conclusion the more I became convinced I am either wrong in my conclusions of the Brethren were at home agreeing upon the policy adopted. I could not help but think if I went to President Roosevelt and told him Taylor and Cowley had admitted their guilt, the President in his blunt, honest, and personal way would immediately ask me whether they had been excommunicated, and if not, why not; that the action agreed upon would not
have the desired result, but just the opposite. A mere resignation just before the resuming of the case would be looked upon as a mere subterfuge and worthy of the severest condemnation. ... The fact that they had admitted their guilt and the church knowing it and not excommunicating them would be proof positive of our undoing. ... I decided in my own mind rather than go to President R[oosevelt] I would first talk with George Sutherland and [bind] him to secrecy. I knew if I spoke to the President [he] would have to act and perhaps he would be displeased with our action in the matter.
[Reed Smoot, Draft of letter to Joseph F. Smith, 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 - Jan 7, 1896; Tuesday
Elder C[harles]. W. Penrose called the attention of the Presidency to a prediction concerning Statehood made by President Brigham Young forty years ago, and suggested its publication, as a refutation of assertions made by several persons that President Young had declared that Utah would never be a State in the Union. It was accordingly published in the Deseret Evening News of this date. ....
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
140 years ago today - Jan 7, 1886
U.S. Supreme Court sustains Utah judges' definition of "cohabitation" as not requiring proof of sexual intercourse but rather of marital relationship. Justices Miller and Field dissent on grounds that Congress intended law to prohibit "unlawful habitual sexual intercourse" with more than one woman. Justice Field is on a secret payroll of the First Presidency.
[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)]]
180 years ago today - Jan 7, 1846
[Nauvoo Temple]
The first sealings of husbands and wives administered. Sealings were performed for living, as well as for the dead, but only where one spouse was living and the other was deceased.
[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
The first sealings of husbands and wives administered. Sealings were performed for living, as well as for the dead, but only where one spouse was living and the other was deceased.
[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
180 years ago today - Jan 7, 1846. Wednesday.
This morning there was an immense crowd at the reception room waiting for admission into the washing and anointing rooms. The brethren as they came along bearing Baskets, Pails and other vessels filled with all kinds of provisions, for the use of those who are attending on the ordinances of the Lord's House. The supply is much greater than the consumption . . .
This afternoon and evening the new altar was used, for the first time, and four individuals and their wives were sealed. The altar is about 2 1/2 feet high, and 2 1/2 feet long, and about one foot wide, rising from a platform about 8 or 9 inches high and extending out on all sides about a foot, forming a convenient place to kneel upon. The top of the altar and the kneeling place are covered with cusions of scarlet damask cloth. The sides of the upright part, or body of the altar are covered with white linen.
[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]
This afternoon and evening the new altar was used, for the first time, and four individuals and their wives were sealed. The altar is about 2 1/2 feet high, and 2 1/2 feet long, and about one foot wide, rising from a platform about 8 or 9 inches high and extending out on all sides about a foot, forming a convenient place to kneel upon. The top of the altar and the kneeling place are covered with cusions of scarlet damask cloth. The sides of the upright part, or body of the altar are covered with white linen.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
180 years ago today - 7 [Jan 1846]
[Brigham Young]
Spent this day also in assisting about the alter which completed & arranged my room. In the evening the council met after sing & prayers we put on our robes & proceeded to dedicate the alter and I pronounced the following dedication prayer, 7 Jan. 1846 Bro. H. C. K. and others received the ordinances according to the law of the Lord upon the alter followed by John Taylor and N. K. Whitney. [Taylor was married to his wife Leonora, and Whitney was married to multiple women].
[Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
Spent this day also in assisting about the alter which completed & arranged my room. In the evening the council met after sing & prayers we put on our robes & proceeded to dedicate the alter and I pronounced the following dedication prayer, 7 Jan. 1846 Bro. H. C. K. and others received the ordinances according to the law of the Lord upon the alter followed by John Taylor and N. K. Whitney. [Taylor was married to his wife Leonora, and Whitney was married to multiple women].
[Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
185 years ago today - Jan 7, 1841
[Wilford Woodruff]
DREAM I fell asleep. Soon found myself in the wilderness of wild pair trees which were bending with wild pairs which were the most beautiful of all fruit I ever saw. I tasted of it & found it delicious, & while I was gazing with wonder & admiration upon it evry pare instantly turned into a nice fat dressed sheep hung on the limbs head downwards. I awoke & the spirit said this is a token of fruit among the Lamanites.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
DREAM I fell asleep. Soon found myself in the wilderness of wild pair trees which were bending with wild pairs which were the most beautiful of all fruit I ever saw. I tasted of it & found it delicious, & while I was gazing with wonder & admiration upon it evry pare instantly turned into a nice fat dressed sheep hung on the limbs head downwards. I awoke & the spirit said this is a token of fruit among the Lamanites.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
20 years ago today - 2006-01-06
Founding of the Exponent Blog (http://www.the-exponent.com/2006/01/06/the-exponent-ii-blog-begins)//Building on the tradition of "The Woman's Exponent" and "Exponent II," Mormon feminists Caroline Kline, Jana Remy, and Deborah Kris start the blog to create an online presence for Mormon feminism.
[Mormon Women's History Timeline, http://www1.chapman.edu/~remy/MoFem/mormonwomen.html]
[Mormon Women's History Timeline, http://www1.chapman.edu/~remy/MoFem/mormonwomen.html]
55 years ago today - Jan 6, 1971
Any temples now manufacturing ceremonial clothing or other items of clothing for temple wear are requested to discontinue doing so. Sewing rooms in temples should be maintained only for the repair or reconditioning of clothing.
[Joseph Fielding Smith, Harold B. Lee, and N. Eldon Tanner to temple presidents, Jan. 6, 1971, copy in Buerger Papers, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Joseph Fielding Smith, Harold B. Lee, and N. Eldon Tanner to temple presidents, Jan. 6, 1971, copy in Buerger Papers, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
100 years ago today - Jan 6, 1926
[Heber J. Grant]
Brother Adam Bennion called and we had a long confidential talk regarding the situation of the Church Schools. Brother Bennion is rather inclined to think that we should discontinue all church school education that is duplicated by the state. ... It is worthy of the greatest consideration whether we ought not to discontinue the Brigham Young University, Brigham Young College, and Latter Day Saints University in this city, and devote our entire educational work to having seminaries established in the vicinity of all the high schools and also in the vicinity of the University of Utah and the Utah Agricultural College. Brother Bennion feels that in the very near future we cannot maintain our present educational system short of a million dollars of Church funds each year, to say nothing of the tuition paid by the Saints who patronize the Church schools.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
Brother Adam Bennion called and we had a long confidential talk regarding the situation of the Church Schools. Brother Bennion is rather inclined to think that we should discontinue all church school education that is duplicated by the state. ... It is worthy of the greatest consideration whether we ought not to discontinue the Brigham Young University, Brigham Young College, and Latter Day Saints University in this city, and devote our entire educational work to having seminaries established in the vicinity of all the high schools and also in the vicinity of the University of Utah and the Utah Agricultural College. Brother Bennion feels that in the very near future we cannot maintain our present educational system short of a million dollars of Church funds each year, to say nothing of the tuition paid by the Saints who patronize the Church schools.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
125 years ago today - Jan 6, 1901; Sunday
[Fast meeting in the temple:] ...--Rev[e]l[a]t[ion]. on Plural Marriage--And as a servant of God I warn you not rej[ec]t this princ[i]p[le] or you will be damned & Jno. [John] Taylor has told me own lips that Jos[eph Smith] com[mande]d me to entd [enter] into plur[al marriage.]
As God is true as Christ is true as Jos[eph Smith] the prophet is true this principle is true--I warn u [you] not to rej[ec]t this princ[i]p[le]--if you do as God loves He will reject u [you]. Geo[rge] A Smith told me P[rophe]t Joseph [Smith] seemed to be impelled to ins[is]t this principle before his death--What God is doing in this world is not childs play. ...
Those women that God show[e]d the P[rophe]t that He had res[er]v[e]d to be his--Will be his through out all eternity & infamous to teach every man to have his mate & absurd to seal for time & eternity only to be dissolved in eternity.
--Sister Bathsheba [Smith] told that Jos[eph] P[rophe]t. said we were mated before we came into this temple.
[Heber J. Grant, Diary]
As God is true as Christ is true as Jos[eph Smith] the prophet is true this principle is true--I warn u [you] not to rej[ec]t this princ[i]p[le]--if you do as God loves He will reject u [you]. Geo[rge] A Smith told me P[rophe]t Joseph [Smith] seemed to be impelled to ins[is]t this principle before his death--What God is doing in this world is not childs play. ...
Those women that God show[e]d the P[rophe]t that He had res[er]v[e]d to be his--Will be his through out all eternity & infamous to teach every man to have his mate & absurd to seal for time & eternity only to be dissolved in eternity.
--Sister Bathsheba [Smith] told that Jos[eph] P[rophe]t. said we were mated before we came into this temple.
[Heber J. Grant, Diary]
125 years ago today - Jan 6, 1901; Sunday
Elder John W. Taylor said: some strong minded women say every woman will have her own husband to herself which was the doctrine of Devils.
Elder H[eber]. J. Grant spoke feelingly of his motehr. A[nthon]. H. Lund bore testimony to the truth.
M[atthias]. F. Cowley & A[braham]. O[wen]. Woodruff each spoke also Rudger Clawson, of the Twelve. Pres[ident]. Jos[eph]. F. Smith bore a powerful testimony of Celestial Marriage and that any one rejecting it God will reject.
[Angus M. Cannon, Diary]
Elder H[eber]. J. Grant spoke feelingly of his motehr. A[nthon]. H. Lund bore testimony to the truth.
M[atthias]. F. Cowley & A[braham]. O[wen]. Woodruff each spoke also Rudger Clawson, of the Twelve. Pres[ident]. Jos[eph]. F. Smith bore a powerful testimony of Celestial Marriage and that any one rejecting it God will reject.
[Angus M. Cannon, Diary]
125 years ago today - Jan 6, 1901
Went to the Temple fast meeting at 10 a.m. Pres[iden]t. Jos[eph]. F. Smith and John W. Taylor denounced the doctrine that in Eternity one man will have but one wife [as] a 'Doctrine of Devils.' Elder John W. Taylor said: some strong minded women say every woman will have her own husband to herself which was the doctrine of Devils. ... Jos[eph]. F. Smith bore a powerful testimony of Celestial Marriage and that any one rejecting it God will reject.
[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 - Jan 6, 1896
Apostle Brigham Young Jr. notes in his diary concerning Governor Heber M. Wells' inaugural address: "Polygamy was cuffed about too much in it and in my heart I said Can I take an oath to support a Constitution and men in office who stamp upon that sacred principle to support which I would give my life-at least I think so. That spirit does not harmonize with mine."
130 years ago today - Jan 6, 1896; Monday
President Woodruff was heartily congratulated today by Non-Mormons as well as Mormons, as the oldest living pioneer, in having lived to see and participate in the ceremonies of this glorious day. On leaving the office he said to those present, "Brethren I am happy, my cares do not worry me at all today".
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
165 years ago today - Jan 6, 1861
Bro. Brigham ... Said when our spirits came on this earth they were pure as the Gods and as the angels of heaven, but by reason of the fall we were subject to the weakness of the flesh; but it was for us to overcome and to bring our bodies in subjection to the will of the spirit and to have our whole soul, mind and will swallowed up in the will of Christ.
[Diary of Charles Lowell Walker, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Diary of Charles Lowell Walker, 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 - Jan 6, 1856
President Young spoke to the people ... if a man had the exact glory that Jesus had he would have to die in the same way & if a man passed through this world without passing through the dregs of poverty he would have to pass through it hereafter before he could be exhalted to Eternal riches in their fulness.
Their is no other way for men to get an exhaltation but to follow their file Leader. The Twelve have no right to ask the Presidency why they do this or that or why they tell the Twelve to do this or that ownly go & do as they are told & this same principle should go through evry quorum in the Church & kingdom of God on Earth & when this rule is observed then the kingdom will be ours.
...Lorenzo Snow spoke to the people first & was followed by president Young. Brother Snow spoke upon the subject of obeying Council & following their leaders without inquiring why they are called to do it.
...He was followed by J. C. Wright. ... He spoke of the Law of God. A woman was under the Law of her husband & no other. If she obeyed his Law she was under no transgression because her husband was her head & evry man & woman had a head. The Presidency of the church is the head of the Church on Earth & if we obey them we shall be saved.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Their is no other way for men to get an exhaltation but to follow their file Leader. The Twelve have no right to ask the Presidency why they do this or that or why they tell the Twelve to do this or that ownly go & do as they are told & this same principle should go through evry quorum in the Church & kingdom of God on Earth & when this rule is observed then the kingdom will be ours.
...Lorenzo Snow spoke to the people first & was followed by president Young. Brother Snow spoke upon the subject of obeying Council & following their leaders without inquiring why they are called to do it.
...He was followed by J. C. Wright. ... He spoke of the Law of God. A woman was under the Law of her husband & no other. If she obeyed his Law she was under no transgression because her husband was her head & evry man & woman had a head. The Presidency of the church is the head of the Church on Earth & if we obey them we shall be saved.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Jan 6, 1846. Tuesday.
....Elder H. C. Kimball came into the temple at 5 minutes before 11 o clock and in a few moments called upon all the others of the Twelve to unite with him in consecrating some oil for the anointing. ...
At 20 minutes past 11, President Young came in with Mrs. Young, his health not very good, but being quite comfortable. He slept at home and dreamed the same dream three times in the course of the night.
Elder Babbitt came in at 15 minutes before 12, bringing a letter, written by Gov. Thomas Ford, to J. B. Backenstos, dated Springfield, Dec. 29, in which he refers, among other matters to the probability that the U.S. Government would send a military force to Nauvoo to assist in arresting the Twelve, who are charged with counterfeiting...
The Quorum of Seventies, met in room No. 9 clothed, and offered up prayers for the preservation of the Twelve and all the different quorums, and for the continuation of the blessings of the endowment.
After the business of the day was over the brethren and Sisters, indulged in a dance. ... After dancing two figures, Joseph Young addressed the party at considerable length, and made a prayer in which all joined after which the music and dancing was continued to a late hour, say 12 o clock.
President B. Young returned to the Temple a few minutes after 10, and took part in the exercises. By his directions, Lucian R. Foster and Ann Maria, his wife, and Stephen Markham and his wife, danced a French four. This was the first time that L. R. Foster and his wife danced together.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
At 20 minutes past 11, President Young came in with Mrs. Young, his health not very good, but being quite comfortable. He slept at home and dreamed the same dream three times in the course of the night.
Elder Babbitt came in at 15 minutes before 12, bringing a letter, written by Gov. Thomas Ford, to J. B. Backenstos, dated Springfield, Dec. 29, in which he refers, among other matters to the probability that the U.S. Government would send a military force to Nauvoo to assist in arresting the Twelve, who are charged with counterfeiting...
The Quorum of Seventies, met in room No. 9 clothed, and offered up prayers for the preservation of the Twelve and all the different quorums, and for the continuation of the blessings of the endowment.
After the business of the day was over the brethren and Sisters, indulged in a dance. ... After dancing two figures, Joseph Young addressed the party at considerable length, and made a prayer in which all joined after which the music and dancing was continued to a late hour, say 12 o clock.
President B. Young returned to the Temple a few minutes after 10, and took part in the exercises. By his directions, Lucian R. Foster and Ann Maria, his wife, and Stephen Markham and his wife, danced a French four. This was the first time that L. R. Foster and his wife danced together.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
180 years ago today - Jan 6 [1846]
[Brigham Young]
1846 This morning I came to the Temple with my wife spent the day in assisting her about preparing the alter. In the evening met the council.
[Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
1846 This morning I came to the Temple with my wife spent the day in assisting her about preparing the alter. In the evening met the council.
[Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
185 years ago today - Jan 6, 1841
[Heber C. Kimball]
In the evning we went to Deacons Spencers, and preached and was apposed by one Mr. Cammon a Minister, perssessed [possessed] with the devle.
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
In the evning we went to Deacons Spencers, and preached and was apposed by one Mr. Cammon a Minister, perssessed [possessed] with the devle.
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
185 years ago today - Jan 6, 1841
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff]
.... we cannot go to teach in the City of London but what the Devil comes also to oppose us. This accounts for my dreams about serpents.
I returned home fell asleep & again dreamed of vast Serpents both dead & alive. Some were of Antique turned into stone, & many were alive about 20 feet long & Pitched at me like Draggons & I fled from them & arose into the air & sailed a great distance with the greatest ease & delight singing Victory. I also saw large fruit. Tasted of it & it was good, & a man tried to set his dog on me, but he soon repented of his conduct. ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
.... we cannot go to teach in the City of London but what the Devil comes also to oppose us. This accounts for my dreams about serpents.
I returned home fell asleep & again dreamed of vast Serpents both dead & alive. Some were of Antique turned into stone, & many were alive about 20 feet long & Pitched at me like Draggons & I fled from them & arose into the air & sailed a great distance with the greatest ease & delight singing Victory. I also saw large fruit. Tasted of it & it was good, & a man tried to set his dog on me, but he soon repented of his conduct. ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
190 years ago today - Jan 6, 1836
Joshua Seixas, author of "Manual of Hebrew Grammar for the Use of Beginners" (1833, second edition 1834) and former Hebrew instructor of Lorenzo Snow, is "hired" for a term of seven weeks, to teach "forty scholars," beginning in about fifteen days. It is reported that he will "give us sufficient knowledge during this term to start us in reading and translating the language." He does not actually arrive in Kirtland until Jan 26.
195 years ago today - Jan 6, 1831
The Palmyra Reflector writes of "Legends, or traditions respecting hidden treasures, with the SPIRIT, to whom ignorance has formerly given them in charge."
[Abner Cole, "Gold Bible," Reflector, (Palmyra, NY), 6 January 1831, as quoted in A Topical Guide of Treasure-Seeking Rituals From the American Northeast during the 18th and 19th Centuries, Compiled by Joseph T. Antley (2010)]
[Abner Cole, "Gold Bible," Reflector, (Palmyra, NY), 6 January 1831, as quoted in A Topical Guide of Treasure-Seeking Rituals From the American Northeast during the 18th and 19th Centuries, Compiled by Joseph T. Antley (2010)]
195 years ago today - Jan 6, 1831
Joseph Smith accused of using the sacrament to administer a visionary substance (Jan. 6, 1831 edition of the Palmyra Reflector)
[Kirtland Timeline - Kirtland Safety Society, the Bank of Monroe, Temple Dedication, Consecration, and significant historical events related, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/kirtland-timeline-kirtland-safety-society-the-bank-of-monroe-temple-dedication-consecration-and-significant-historical-events-related/]
[Kirtland Timeline - Kirtland Safety Society, the Bank of Monroe, Temple Dedication, Consecration, and significant historical events related, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/kirtland-timeline-kirtland-safety-society-the-bank-of-monroe-temple-dedication-consecration-and-significant-historical-events-related/]
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