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Today In Mormon History-fb
Several curious tidbits that happened on this day in Mormon History
50 years ago today - Jul 15, 1975-Tuesday
[Leonard Arrington]
Floyd O'Neill and [Greg] Thompson from the University of Utah Western Study Center came in my office this morning to bring copies of Utah: A Hispanic History. I presented to Floyd the matter of Brigham Young's letters to Indian chiefs and asked his advice on publishing them. He counseled me not to publish them. He said it would only bring trouble to the Church. The militant Indians would flay it as condescending and cultural imperialism. It could not do any good, he thought.
He said he was not familiar with Larry Coates or his work. He said he would also counsel me against publishing minutes and records of meetings between Brigham Young and Indian chiefs except that where there is no surface condescension. [H]e thought it might be desirable for us to publish some of these in professional historical journals but not submit it to Indian History, which is controlled by the militants../ He said the word Indian is a good one to use as a collective term. Native American people is also acceptable. The term Lamanite is objected to severely by the militant LDS and others[,] mildly disapproved by a large proportion even of LDS members. He said that LDS members will not complain about the term to Church officials, but they do privately to him-they do not see its appropriateness in this day and age. It is an ancient term pertaining to an ancient people. ...
He said the state of Indian-White relations today is such that "you're damned if you do and damned if you don't" and to get involved you have to have a pretty thick skin. He said his own skin was thick, but he attempted to use wisdom in all that he did.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Floyd O'Neill and [Greg] Thompson from the University of Utah Western Study Center came in my office this morning to bring copies of Utah: A Hispanic History. I presented to Floyd the matter of Brigham Young's letters to Indian chiefs and asked his advice on publishing them. He counseled me not to publish them. He said it would only bring trouble to the Church. The militant Indians would flay it as condescending and cultural imperialism. It could not do any good, he thought.
He said he was not familiar with Larry Coates or his work. He said he would also counsel me against publishing minutes and records of meetings between Brigham Young and Indian chiefs except that where there is no surface condescension. [H]e thought it might be desirable for us to publish some of these in professional historical journals but not submit it to Indian History, which is controlled by the militants../ He said the word Indian is a good one to use as a collective term. Native American people is also acceptable. The term Lamanite is objected to severely by the militant LDS and others[,] mildly disapproved by a large proportion even of LDS members. He said that LDS members will not complain about the term to Church officials, but they do privately to him-they do not see its appropriateness in this day and age. It is an ancient term pertaining to an ancient people. ...
He said the state of Indian-White relations today is such that "you're damned if you do and damned if you don't" and to get involved you have to have a pretty thick skin. He said his own skin was thick, but he attempted to use wisdom in all that he did.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
65 years ago today - Jul 15, 1960
[J. Reuben Clark]
During evening (7:00) Mr. and Mrs. Reed Benson and Mr. Mark Benson called at President Clark's home and saw his library. Reed ... wanted to ask question; one of the questions was whether or not his father should make a statement in favor of Rockefellor for President; Pres. Clark said he would have to take that up with President McKay, the President of the Church.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
During evening (7:00) Mr. and Mrs. Reed Benson and Mr. Mark Benson called at President Clark's home and saw his library. Reed ... wanted to ask question; one of the questions was whether or not his father should make a statement in favor of Rockefellor for President; Pres. Clark said he would have to take that up with President McKay, the President of the Church.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
110 years ago today - Jul 15, 1915; Thursday
[James E. Talmage]
Attended Council meeting of the First Presidency and Twelve. Today I learned that during my absence I have been appointed by the First Presidency and Twelve to represent the Church in an address in San Francisco on July 29th in connection with the World's Congress of Religious Philosophies. At the time of the Columbian Exposition in 1893 the World's Congress of Religions was held, Elder Brigham H. Roberts presented himself as a representative of our Church and was promptly refused recognition. Though Brahminism, Confucianism, Shintoism and other oriental religions, as well as the so-called Christian sects, each and all could have a hearing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was refused recognition. It is interesting now to note that the World's Congress of Religious Philosophies extends a very cordial invitation to the Church to be represented on their program.
[James E. Talmage, Diary]
Attended Council meeting of the First Presidency and Twelve. Today I learned that during my absence I have been appointed by the First Presidency and Twelve to represent the Church in an address in San Francisco on July 29th in connection with the World's Congress of Religious Philosophies. At the time of the Columbian Exposition in 1893 the World's Congress of Religions was held, Elder Brigham H. Roberts presented himself as a representative of our Church and was promptly refused recognition. Though Brahminism, Confucianism, Shintoism and other oriental religions, as well as the so-called Christian sects, each and all could have a hearing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was refused recognition. It is interesting now to note that the World's Congress of Religious Philosophies extends a very cordial invitation to the Church to be represented on their program.
[James E. Talmage, Diary]
130 years ago today - Jul 15, 1895
THE RETURN, an RLDS publication, publishes a letter by Emma [Smith] Bidamon, Joseph Smith's widow: "I always feel a peculiar satisfaction in giving all the information on that subject that I can. Now the first that my husband translated, [the book] was translated by the use of the Urim, and Thummim, and that was the part that Martin Harris lost, after that he used a small stone, not exactly, black, but was rather a dark color, . . . ."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
135 years ago today - Jul 15, 1890
[Heber J. Grant]
I think more of the confidence of my friends than I do of all the other successes that have attended my labors
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I think more of the confidence of my friends than I do of all the other successes that have attended my labors
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Jul 15, 1890
Anti-Mormon party wins SLC school election
In another devastating blow to Mormon independence, on July 15, the anti-Mormon party wins the Salt Lake City school elections. This was part of a string of disasters. On July 1, the US Senate introduced a bill to ban Mormons from homesteading in Wyoming. On July 29, the Utah Supreme Court ruled that polygamous children could not inherit their fathers estates, and on August 5, the anti-Mormon party won almost every county office in Salt Lake and Weber Counties.
[Tungate, Mel, Mormon Polygamy, http://www.tungate.com/polygamy.htm]
In another devastating blow to Mormon independence, on July 15, the anti-Mormon party wins the Salt Lake City school elections. This was part of a string of disasters. On July 1, the US Senate introduced a bill to ban Mormons from homesteading in Wyoming. On July 29, the Utah Supreme Court ruled that polygamous children could not inherit their fathers estates, and on August 5, the anti-Mormon party won almost every county office in Salt Lake and Weber Counties.
[Tungate, Mel, Mormon Polygamy, http://www.tungate.com/polygamy.htm]
160 years ago today - Jul 15, 1865
[Wilford Woodruff]
[Manti] A Company of 50 men went out to try to overtake & punish the Indians who were killing the people. Col Warren L Snow had Charge of the Command.
Our Meeting opened by prayer by W. Woodruff. John Taylor Spoke 28 minutes. (While speaking it was found that many had loaded guns in the Congregation. All that were loaded was taken out & stashed outside & a guard put over them.)
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Manti] A Company of 50 men went out to try to overtake & punish the Indians who were killing the people. Col Warren L Snow had Charge of the Command.
Our Meeting opened by prayer by W. Woodruff. John Taylor Spoke 28 minutes. (While speaking it was found that many had loaded guns in the Congregation. All that were loaded was taken out & stashed outside & a guard put over them.)
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Jul 15, 1860
[Brigham Young] The Lord would open the Earth & swallow up such Cities as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, & other great Cities of the Nations and the sea would heave itself beyound its bounds and famines would spread not ownly over this Continent but it will spread & be felt in States, Nations, & Continents and the Saints will Close there Eyes upon the scene and their hearts will be filled with paine.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Jul 15, 1855
.... At the close of the meeting President Snow nominated his two Councellors. Diminicus Carter was first Councellor. The people did not all vote. Two voted against him.
Their is a strange spirit in provo. Many do not pray & have not the spirit of God. In the Commencemet of the meeting it was very hard work to preach. The people seemed Cold & indifferent ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Their is a strange spirit in provo. Many do not pray & have not the spirit of God. In the Commencemet of the meeting it was very hard work to preach. The people seemed Cold & indifferent ...
[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 - Jul 15, 1855
[Brigham Young]
The Lord in his wisdom has appointed our location in the midst of Israel [Indians], which is a astounding miracle. How many times have you heard it spoken in tongues and prophesied of in days past and said that you should yet go and teach the Lamanites. If the Latter-day Saints are faithful in these things of teaching that people, all will be well with us ... I want to know if you feel to realize the promises in the Book of Mormon. Will you turn them [Indians] away empty? Instead of their being our inferiors, they are our superiors in many things, as they are the lawful heirs and we have sprung from the Gentiles
[The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
The Lord in his wisdom has appointed our location in the midst of Israel [Indians], which is a astounding miracle. How many times have you heard it spoken in tongues and prophesied of in days past and said that you should yet go and teach the Lamanites. If the Latter-day Saints are faithful in these things of teaching that people, all will be well with us ... I want to know if you feel to realize the promises in the Book of Mormon. Will you turn them [Indians] away empty? Instead of their being our inferiors, they are our superiors in many things, as they are the lawful heirs and we have sprung from the Gentiles
[The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
175 years ago today - Jul 15, 1850
[Wilford Woodruff]
During the Evening we were visited with A terrible Thunder storm. The lightning struck all around us & while the teams were crossing A slew the lightning burst into their midst & shocked many persons & beast & it killed 3 oxen & one man dead. It was Brother Ridge from Lane End Staffordshire England that was killed & his team. He was buried in the evening. He belonged to Elder Whipples fifty.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
During the Evening we were visited with A terrible Thunder storm. The lightning struck all around us & while the teams were crossing A slew the lightning burst into their midst & shocked many persons & beast & it killed 3 oxen & one man dead. It was Brother Ridge from Lane End Staffordshire England that was killed & his team. He was buried in the evening. He belonged to Elder Whipples fifty.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
185 years ago today - Jul 15, 1840
WESTERN WORLD, published in Warsaw Illinois reports that some residents of Hancock had begun to complain of "petty depredations... such as the loss of various small instruments of agriculture." Particularly aggrieved are some residents of Tully, Missouri, who complained of the loss of a variety of items. A depot of stolen goods identified as the Tully items are found on a farm not far from Warsaw. Tully residents stake out the depot, and take four Mormons prisoner who are found in the vicinity of the stolen items. They kidnap the four, take them across the river into Missouri, and extract confessions from three of them by tying them to trees and beating them.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
30 years ago today - Jul 14, 1995
USA TODAY reports: "A Bountiful, Utah man discovered that his wife of 3 1/2 years is a man who is now jailed on charges he ran up $40,000 in phony credit card charges. Bruce Jensen, 39, says he feels 'pretty stupid' that he didn't know Felix Urioste, 34 was a man." Jensen and Urioste (using the name Leasa) were married in Lyman, Wyoming in Dec of 1991 and later were sealed for time and eternity in the Salt Lake Temple.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
130 years ago today - Jul 14, 1895
[Francis M. Lyman]
[Oak Creek] I spoke much of Statehood and equal suffrage also of the improvements that should be made to emphasize the town. After [the] meeting I learned that my brother Jos[eph] A. and his wide did not like my talk on the suffrage ...
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Oak Creek] I spoke much of Statehood and equal suffrage also of the improvements that should be made to emphasize the town. After [the] meeting I learned that my brother Jos[eph] A. and his wide did not like my talk on the suffrage ...
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Jul 14, 1890 (Monday)
The election of a board of school trustees for Salt Lake City, under the new law, resulted in the election of eight "Liberals" and four People's party men [Mormons]; but the latter were kept out of their offices for some time, while the court tried the case.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
135 years ago today - Jul 14, 1890 (Monday)
Frank H. Dyer resigned his office as Receiver of the confiscated Church property.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
145 years ago today - Jul 14, 1880
[Joseph F. Smith]
President [John] Taylor presented his views in writing on the subject of the priesthood which were read to the council. Some enquiries and explanations were made, and some doubts expressed by Bro[ther]s. O[rson]. Pratt and Geo[rge]. Q. Cannon. Ithink the President's views are verycorrect and I can most freely endorse them.
[Joseph F. Smith 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]
President [John] Taylor presented his views in writing on the subject of the priesthood which were read to the council. Some enquiries and explanations were made, and some doubts expressed by Bro[ther]s. O[rson]. Pratt and Geo[rge]. Q. Cannon. Ithink the President's views are verycorrect and I can most freely endorse them.
[Joseph F. Smith 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]
165 years ago today - Jul 14, 1860
[Brigham Young]
President Joseph Young called in and enquired of the President if it was necessary to cut presidents of Quorums [off] from the church for drunkenness. '"Should not presidents and bishops be cut off also for the same vice?'" -- Salt Lake City
[Brigham Young Office Journals, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
President Joseph Young called in and enquired of the President if it was necessary to cut presidents of Quorums [off] from the church for drunkenness. '"Should not presidents and bishops be cut off also for the same vice?'" -- Salt Lake City
[Brigham Young Office Journals, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
170 years ago today - Jul 14, 1855
[Brigham Young]
I have a few words to say concerning one item of doctrine, that I seldom think of mentioning before a public congregation; I refer to the doctrine pertaining to raising up a royal Priesthood to the name of Israel's God, for which purpose the revelation was given to Joseph, concerning the right of faithful Elders, in taking to themselves more than one wife. I frequently hear from others that this doctrine is laughed at and ridiculed; I heard yesterday of its being laughed out of doors, even jeered and sneered out of a Bishop's house. I am not personally cognizant of any one jeering at and deriding this doctrine; still, I hear that there are some few who are opposed to it. Once in a while sentiments reach my ears which sound very curious and strange, and when I hear them, I do really wish that some were possessed of better sense; I will, therefore, tell you a few things that you should know. God never introduced the Patriarchal order of marriage with a view to please man in his
carnal desires, nor to punish females for anything which they had done; but He introduced it for the express purpose of raising up to His name a royal Priesthood, a peculiar people. Do we not see the benefit of it? Yes, we have lived long enough to realize its advantages. Suppose that I had had the privilege of having only one wife, I should have had only three sons, for those are all that my first wife bore, whereas, I now have buried five sons, and have thirteen living. It is obvious that I could not have been blessed with such a family, if I had been restricted to one wife, but, by the introduction of this law, I can be the instrument in preparing tabernacles for those spirits which have to come in this dispensation. Under this law, I and my brethren are preparing tabernacles for those spirits which have been preserved to enter into bodies of honor, and be taught the pure principles of life and salvation, and those tabernacles will grow up and become mighty in the kingdom of our
God. ... This law was never given of the Lord for any but his faithful children; it is not for the ungodly at all; no man has a right to a wife, or wives, unless he honors his Priesthood and magnifies his calling before God. I foresaw, when Joseph first made known this doctrine, that it would be a trial, and a source of great care and anxiety to the brethren, and what of that? We are to gird up our loins and fulfil this, just as we would any other duty. (High wind and clouds of dust prevented speaking for several seconds.) It has been strenuously urged by many, that this doctrine was introduced through lust, but that is a gross misrepresentation. (A thick cloud of dust prevented speaking for about two minutes.) This revelation, which God gave to Joseph, was for the express purpose of providing a channel for the organization of tabernacles... I know quite a number of men in this Church who will not take any more women, because they do not wish to take care of them; a contracted
spirit causes that feeling. I have also known some in my past life, who have said, that they did not desire to have their wives bear any children, and some even take measures to prevent it; there are a few such persons in this Church. When I see a man in this Church with those feelings, and hear him say '"I do not wish to enlarge my family, because it will bring care upon me,'" I conclude that he has more or less of the old sectarian leaven about him, and that he does not understand the glory of the celestial kingdom. ... It is not through lust that men and women are to practise this doctrine, but it is to be observed upon righteous principles; and, if men and women would pay attention to those instructions, I would promise, in the name of the Lord, that you would never find them lustful in their dispositions, and you might watch them as closely as you pleased. Plurality of wives is not designed to afflict you nor me, but is purposed for our exaltation in the kingdoms of God. If
any man had asked me what was my choice when Joseph revealed that doctrine, provided that it would not diminish my glory, I would have said, '"Let me have but one wife;'" not because it is not a great comfort to me to have children, but if I have not children I know them not. Some of these my brethren know what my feelings were at the time Joseph revealed the doctrine; I was not desirous of shrinking from any duty, nor of failing in the least to do as I was commanded, but it was the first time in my life that I had desired the grave, and I could hardly get over it for a long time. And when I saw a funeral, I felt to envy the corpse its situation, and to regret that I was not in the coffin, knowing the toil and labor that my body would have to undergo; and I have had to examine myself, from that day to this, and watch my faith, and carefully meditate, lest I should be found desiring the grave more than I ought to do. You will probably wonder at this, and that such should have been
my feelings upon this point, but they were even so. Now if any of you will deny the plurality of wives, and continue to do so, I promise that you will be damned; ...
[Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 3:264-268, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
I have a few words to say concerning one item of doctrine, that I seldom think of mentioning before a public congregation; I refer to the doctrine pertaining to raising up a royal Priesthood to the name of Israel's God, for which purpose the revelation was given to Joseph, concerning the right of faithful Elders, in taking to themselves more than one wife. I frequently hear from others that this doctrine is laughed at and ridiculed; I heard yesterday of its being laughed out of doors, even jeered and sneered out of a Bishop's house. I am not personally cognizant of any one jeering at and deriding this doctrine; still, I hear that there are some few who are opposed to it. Once in a while sentiments reach my ears which sound very curious and strange, and when I hear them, I do really wish that some were possessed of better sense; I will, therefore, tell you a few things that you should know. God never introduced the Patriarchal order of marriage with a view to please man in his
carnal desires, nor to punish females for anything which they had done; but He introduced it for the express purpose of raising up to His name a royal Priesthood, a peculiar people. Do we not see the benefit of it? Yes, we have lived long enough to realize its advantages. Suppose that I had had the privilege of having only one wife, I should have had only three sons, for those are all that my first wife bore, whereas, I now have buried five sons, and have thirteen living. It is obvious that I could not have been blessed with such a family, if I had been restricted to one wife, but, by the introduction of this law, I can be the instrument in preparing tabernacles for those spirits which have to come in this dispensation. Under this law, I and my brethren are preparing tabernacles for those spirits which have been preserved to enter into bodies of honor, and be taught the pure principles of life and salvation, and those tabernacles will grow up and become mighty in the kingdom of our
God. ... This law was never given of the Lord for any but his faithful children; it is not for the ungodly at all; no man has a right to a wife, or wives, unless he honors his Priesthood and magnifies his calling before God. I foresaw, when Joseph first made known this doctrine, that it would be a trial, and a source of great care and anxiety to the brethren, and what of that? We are to gird up our loins and fulfil this, just as we would any other duty. (High wind and clouds of dust prevented speaking for several seconds.) It has been strenuously urged by many, that this doctrine was introduced through lust, but that is a gross misrepresentation. (A thick cloud of dust prevented speaking for about two minutes.) This revelation, which God gave to Joseph, was for the express purpose of providing a channel for the organization of tabernacles... I know quite a number of men in this Church who will not take any more women, because they do not wish to take care of them; a contracted
spirit causes that feeling. I have also known some in my past life, who have said, that they did not desire to have their wives bear any children, and some even take measures to prevent it; there are a few such persons in this Church. When I see a man in this Church with those feelings, and hear him say '"I do not wish to enlarge my family, because it will bring care upon me,'" I conclude that he has more or less of the old sectarian leaven about him, and that he does not understand the glory of the celestial kingdom. ... It is not through lust that men and women are to practise this doctrine, but it is to be observed upon righteous principles; and, if men and women would pay attention to those instructions, I would promise, in the name of the Lord, that you would never find them lustful in their dispositions, and you might watch them as closely as you pleased. Plurality of wives is not designed to afflict you nor me, but is purposed for our exaltation in the kingdoms of God. If
any man had asked me what was my choice when Joseph revealed that doctrine, provided that it would not diminish my glory, I would have said, '"Let me have but one wife;'" not because it is not a great comfort to me to have children, but if I have not children I know them not. Some of these my brethren know what my feelings were at the time Joseph revealed the doctrine; I was not desirous of shrinking from any duty, nor of failing in the least to do as I was commanded, but it was the first time in my life that I had desired the grave, and I could hardly get over it for a long time. And when I saw a funeral, I felt to envy the corpse its situation, and to regret that I was not in the coffin, knowing the toil and labor that my body would have to undergo; and I have had to examine myself, from that day to this, and watch my faith, and carefully meditate, lest I should be found desiring the grave more than I ought to do. You will probably wonder at this, and that such should have been
my feelings upon this point, but they were even so. Now if any of you will deny the plurality of wives, and continue to do so, I promise that you will be damned; ...
[Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 3:264-268, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
175 years ago today - Jul 14, 1850 (Morning)
[Brigham Young]
I am a phrenologist and can tell a man by looking at him - and it is the big soul a little soul ...
[Thomas Bullock Minutes, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
I am a phrenologist and can tell a man by looking at him - and it is the big soul a little soul ...
[Thomas Bullock Minutes, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
175 years ago today - Jul 14, 1850 (Afternoon)
[Brigham Young]
When Brother Snow sat down I felt like getting up to shout hallelujah ...
[Thomas Bullock Minutes, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
When Brother Snow sat down I felt like getting up to shout hallelujah ...
[Thomas Bullock Minutes, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
180 years ago today - Jul 14, 1845
[Patriarchal Blessing of African American Joseph T. Ball given by William Smith] ... when thy name is enrolled with the house of Israel upon sacred Records deposited in the archives of the temple, as a memorial and a testimony of thy faithfulness and good works the names of thine enemies shall be forgotten forever, & their moral worth shall not be counted... the powers and blessings of the holy Priesthood are upon thine head after the order of Melchisedec even ordained a High Priest by the Spirit of Revelation from under my hands which is again confirmed by the same authority and sealed on earth & Ratified in heaven, and no power under the heaven shall take it from thee, for upon thine head has been ordained this authority & power from before the foundation of the world, and the purposes of God shall never fail, for unto Joseph[']s remnants in this last dispensation has the blessing of the Holy Priesthood been handed down and thou art of that Royal Stock, to whom the
blessings and promises were made ... high and lifted up shall be thy throne, beautiful and exalted shall be thy mansion of glory, and into it shall be gathered all nations, who are of the labors of thy ministry, & of the fruits of thine own loins, and as a king and a mighty prince shalt thou reign and rule over many even ten kingdoms ... thou shalt be called to a mighty Prophet a minister of peace & righteousness, for by Revelation shalt thou speak and by the power of the Holy Ghost thou shalt make known the great mysteries of the kingdom, and the Salvation of Israel[']s God to a dying world & many shall be gathered and saved in the kingdom by thy labors with thee for I seal all this blessing upon thy head with all the blessings of the Spiritual kingdom and a Salvation that is after the power of an endless life in the name of Jesus Christ Amen
[Patriarchal Blessings]
blessings and promises were made ... high and lifted up shall be thy throne, beautiful and exalted shall be thy mansion of glory, and into it shall be gathered all nations, who are of the labors of thy ministry, & of the fruits of thine own loins, and as a king and a mighty prince shalt thou reign and rule over many even ten kingdoms ... thou shalt be called to a mighty Prophet a minister of peace & righteousness, for by Revelation shalt thou speak and by the power of the Holy Ghost thou shalt make known the great mysteries of the kingdom, and the Salvation of Israel[']s God to a dying world & many shall be gathered and saved in the kingdom by thy labors with thee for I seal all this blessing upon thy head with all the blessings of the Spiritual kingdom and a Salvation that is after the power of an endless life in the name of Jesus Christ Amen
[Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - Jul 14, 1845
Patriarchal Blessing of Richard Simcock given by William Smith on ... thou shalt live to a good old age to see the glory of God and the final exaltation of the Saints, and in peace shalt thou walk the streets of Zion, and triumph over all thine enemies, and all they of thy household shall be in subjection to thy law and great shall be their reward, for thou shalt preside over them, and ovover many in the kingdom of immortal glory, none of this blessing shall fail, but shall all be fulfilled for I seal it upon thy head with all the blessings of the spiritual kingdom, powers an[d] privileges of the holy Priesthood, by the authority of the office of Patriarch and in the name of Jesus christ Even so Amen.
[Patriarchal Blessings]
[Patriarchal Blessings]
190 years ago today - about Jul 14, 1835
Kirtland, Ohio. Joseph Smith was continually engaged in translating the book of Abraham and arranging a grammar of the Egyptian language as practiced by the ancients.
[BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
[BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
190 years ago today - Jul 14, 1835
Edmund Bosley is excommunicated for failing to raise $2,000 as promised.
[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]
65 years ago today - Jul 12, 1960
LDS poet Carol Lynn Pearson writes in her journal: "I've read every scripture regarding woman that is mentioned in the standard works. Each one only upsets me more; I don't mean casually bothers me, I mean upsets the very core of my nature."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
90 years ago today - Jul 12, 1935
[David O. McKay]
.... Brother 'J' is right in classifying adultery as a heinous sin, but he is wrong in saying that 'a person can never repent of this, and that he or she cannot undo this sin.' See Doctrine and Covenants, section 42.
The sister to whom you refer should not worry. If she has truly repented she will not be separated from her children and husband. Brother 'J' is probably guided in his assumption by an alleged remark printed in the Compendium, page 280, but this alleged saying of the Prophet must not be construed to contradict the revelations of the Lord.
[David O. McKay, Letter to Mrs. Henry Price, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
.... Brother 'J' is right in classifying adultery as a heinous sin, but he is wrong in saying that 'a person can never repent of this, and that he or she cannot undo this sin.' See Doctrine and Covenants, section 42.
The sister to whom you refer should not worry. If she has truly repented she will not be separated from her children and husband. Brother 'J' is probably guided in his assumption by an alleged remark printed in the Compendium, page 280, but this alleged saying of the Prophet must not be construed to contradict the revelations of the Lord.
[David O. McKay, Letter to Mrs. Henry Price, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
125 years ago today - Thursday, Jul 12, 1900
[Rudger Clawson]
.... A letter from Elder David H. Cannon, pres. [of the] St. George Temple, was read by the clerk. In speaking of ordinance work, said they were in bad condition, as most of their workers were aged men. He wanted some advice in regard to the matter. It was moved and carried that the president of the St. George Temple be authorized to call upon the stakes in that temple district to furnish young, able-bodied, competent men as missionaries to work in the temple from one to two years.
A tabulated report showing the number of elders in the field and the number of conversions made by them was submitted by Pres. Cannon. The deduction to be drawn from the report was that in view of the large numbers of the elders out, the conversions were few, and it seemed to be the mind of the brethren that a retrenchment was needful in the matter of missionary calls.
...The tables were then spread with bread and wine and the sacrament was administered. Pres. J. F. Smith was mouth in blessing the bread and wine. At the conclusion Apostle F. M. Lyman offered the benediction.
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
.... A letter from Elder David H. Cannon, pres. [of the] St. George Temple, was read by the clerk. In speaking of ordinance work, said they were in bad condition, as most of their workers were aged men. He wanted some advice in regard to the matter. It was moved and carried that the president of the St. George Temple be authorized to call upon the stakes in that temple district to furnish young, able-bodied, competent men as missionaries to work in the temple from one to two years.
A tabulated report showing the number of elders in the field and the number of conversions made by them was submitted by Pres. Cannon. The deduction to be drawn from the report was that in view of the large numbers of the elders out, the conversions were few, and it seemed to be the mind of the brethren that a retrenchment was needful in the matter of missionary calls.
...The tables were then spread with bread and wine and the sacrament was administered. Pres. J. F. Smith was mouth in blessing the bread and wine. At the conclusion Apostle F. M. Lyman offered the benediction.
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
125 years ago today - Jul 12, 1900; Thursday
[Brigham Young Jr.]
Pres[iden]ts [George Q.] Cannon & [Joseph F.] Smith came in at 11 a.m. Business was transacted. Document of succession to presidency was read by Bro[ther] [George F.] Gibbs the question between Bro[ther]. Jos[eph] F. [Smith] & I was decided that no man could date his position in Quorum from ordination but from the time that he was received in to the quorum. This puts Jos[eph]. F. Smith ahead of me in the quorum. I am thankful this question is settled. I tried to get Father to settle it but he said when I broached the subject "It is just right the way it is, and you let it alone." I never dared to bring it up again, tho[ugh]' Bro[ther]. [Orson] Pratt & others made me feel bad at times because of their remarks.
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary]
Pres[iden]ts [George Q.] Cannon & [Joseph F.] Smith came in at 11 a.m. Business was transacted. Document of succession to presidency was read by Bro[ther] [George F.] Gibbs the question between Bro[ther]. Jos[eph] F. [Smith] & I was decided that no man could date his position in Quorum from ordination but from the time that he was received in to the quorum. This puts Jos[eph]. F. Smith ahead of me in the quorum. I am thankful this question is settled. I tried to get Father to settle it but he said when I broached the subject "It is just right the way it is, and you let it alone." I never dared to bring it up again, tho[ugh]' Bro[ther]. [Orson] Pratt & others made me feel bad at times because of their remarks.
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary]
130 years ago today - Jul 12, 1895
[Franklin D. Richards]
Br[other] Ben Lloyd informs me that John H. Smith has been sowing the seeds of discontent with Sisters ZD Young & Bathsheba W. Smith while away with the old folks party yesterday.
[Diary Excerpts of Franklin D. Richards, 1887-1897, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Br[other] Ben Lloyd informs me that John H. Smith has been sowing the seeds of discontent with Sisters ZD Young & Bathsheba W. Smith while away with the old folks party yesterday.
[Diary Excerpts of Franklin D. Richards, 1887-1897, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
150 years ago today - Jul 12, 1875
In England missionary and future apostle John Henry Smith dreams "that Prest. J[oseph] F. Smith and I and some others took tea with the Prince of Wales and wife in one of the Palaces in London."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
130 years ago today - Jul 13, 1895
At Utah Democratic convention, "women are delegates in about equal number with men."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
145 years ago today - Jul 13, 1880
[Wilford Woodruff]
I spent 4 hours at the Council House with Presidt Taylor J. F. Smith & A Carrington in hearing a Case of seduction & Adultery. A man Committed Adultery with two married women And the Husband of one of the women shot him dead and was tryed by a jury and Cleared And a Brother of the two Husbands of the two women also Committed Adultery with the two women and both of the men who were innocent got a Bill of Divorce from their wives. It was a vary grieveious Affair. They all Confessed their Sins and forgave Each other and were to be Baptized for the remission of their sins.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I spent 4 hours at the Council House with Presidt Taylor J. F. Smith & A Carrington in hearing a Case of seduction & Adultery. A man Committed Adultery with two married women And the Husband of one of the women shot him dead and was tryed by a jury and Cleared And a Brother of the two Husbands of the two women also Committed Adultery with the two women and both of the men who were innocent got a Bill of Divorce from their wives. It was a vary grieveious Affair. They all Confessed their Sins and forgave Each other and were to be Baptized for the remission of their sins.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
160 years ago today - Jul 13, 1865
[Brigham Young]
[W]hen this world was first made it was in a close proximity to God. When man sinned it was hurled millions of miles away from its first position and that was why it was called the Fall.
[Diary of Charles Lowell Walker. Andrew Karl Larson, ed. Logan: Utah State University Press, 1980. 233-34, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[W]hen this world was first made it was in a close proximity to God. When man sinned it was hurled millions of miles away from its first position and that was why it was called the Fall.
[Diary of Charles Lowell Walker. Andrew Karl Larson, ed. Logan: Utah State University Press, 1980. 233-34, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
170 years ago today - Jul 13, 1855
Apostle Ezra T. Benson preaches in Provo: "I have a little Indian boy and girl, and certainly it is repugnant to my feelings to have to put up with their dirty practices, but I have passed a great many of these things by; and this I have done because I knew what our duties were. In a short season we shall be rewarded for all that we do to civilize this lost and fallen race. The little boy will soon be quite bright, his mind is becoming clear and perceptive, and if he sees a horse, a man, or any other object, he will always remember them. True, he yet has some of his Indian traits, and I presume it will be some time before they are all, erased from his memory."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
75 years ago today - Jul 11, 1950
[J. Reuben Clark]
[In conversation with Emily Smith Stewart about her father:] I pointed out that there were two sorts of problems that came before us: the problems of individuals and the problems of the church. I felt myself that the problems of the Church were sufficient to absorb our energies, and that the individual problems ought to be left for others; but that President Smith enjoyed meeting people, he loved them and they loved him, and so a part of his energy is taken up in that.
I stated that I had observed when President Smith went to these functions that he was exhilarated during the time of the function and perhaps a day thereafter, but that then he usually had a period of weariness which it took him several days to get over.
She said that she wished that at the next Conference they could have somebody stationed at the house to sort of keep people away. She said that they had many people come to the house. I told her that surely that could be arranged: she could have somebody there that could act as a sort of guard and filter.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
[In conversation with Emily Smith Stewart about her father:] I pointed out that there were two sorts of problems that came before us: the problems of individuals and the problems of the church. I felt myself that the problems of the Church were sufficient to absorb our energies, and that the individual problems ought to be left for others; but that President Smith enjoyed meeting people, he loved them and they loved him, and so a part of his energy is taken up in that.
I stated that I had observed when President Smith went to these functions that he was exhilarated during the time of the function and perhaps a day thereafter, but that then he usually had a period of weariness which it took him several days to get over.
She said that she wished that at the next Conference they could have somebody stationed at the house to sort of keep people away. She said that they had many people come to the house. I told her that surely that could be arranged: she could have somebody there that could act as a sort of guard and filter.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
125 years ago today - Jul 11, 1900
At meeting of First Presidency and Twelve, "Apostle M. W. Merrill related a dream or vision given to Brother [Samuel] Roskelly in the Logan Temple during the "raid" when the enemy threatened to search our temples. A personage, who in appearance was seven or eight feet tall, appeared to him and said that he was once a Nephite warrior and that he had come to defend the temple. He assured Brother Roskelly that the enemy would not be permitted to enter the house of the Lord. Apostle Merrill said that later on a bitter anti-Mormon by the name of [Charles C.] Goodwin and several others organized a "raid" on the temple, but through fear abandoned their project."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
125 years ago today - Wednesday, Jul 11, 1900
It was moved and carried that Pres. Snow be asked to provide a suitable receptacle for church relics and that the same as fast as gathered be deposited in the temple. Benediction by Apostle M. F. Cowley.
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
125 years ago today - Jul 11, 1900; Wednesday
[Brigham Young Jr.]
Excellent meetings and I am sure that the Quorum is thoroughly united. It seems a little difficult for the brethren to define just how much they shall recognise me as president of the Twelve not all of them pray for "President [Brigham] Young [Jr.]" but lump me with the quorum after pleading earnestly for the first Presidency. I am not worthy of the honor I already have from the Lord. I consider that Bro[ther]. Jos[eph]. F. Smith is a far better man that I have ever been. I have done many foolish nearly wicked things--acts, that I am sorry for and have repented of. God has not thrown me away--borne with all patience my sins of omission & commission for he does manifest by His spirit His will unto me frequently, hence I know that my prayers are heard, and I weep with joy to know that He has not forsake me. How Gracious how kind to me a sinner. I could never have kept my covenants but He came to my rescue and I was saved from plunging into a fathomless depths; all praise &
thanksgiving to the majesty on high who has redeemed my soul form despair. Help
me Lord to show my gratitude every hour of my life—existence.
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary]
Excellent meetings and I am sure that the Quorum is thoroughly united. It seems a little difficult for the brethren to define just how much they shall recognise me as president of the Twelve not all of them pray for "President [Brigham] Young [Jr.]" but lump me with the quorum after pleading earnestly for the first Presidency. I am not worthy of the honor I already have from the Lord. I consider that Bro[ther]. Jos[eph]. F. Smith is a far better man that I have ever been. I have done many foolish nearly wicked things--acts, that I am sorry for and have repented of. God has not thrown me away--borne with all patience my sins of omission & commission for he does manifest by His spirit His will unto me frequently, hence I know that my prayers are heard, and I weep with joy to know that He has not forsake me. How Gracious how kind to me a sinner. I could never have kept my covenants but He came to my rescue and I was saved from plunging into a fathomless depths; all praise &
thanksgiving to the majesty on high who has redeemed my soul form despair. Help
me Lord to show my gratitude every hour of my life—existence.
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary]
165 years ago today - Jul 11, 1860
Deseret News favorably reports lynching of horse-thief A.B. Baker by posse deputized to arrest him. He is "buried by those who thus meted out to him summary justice, not exactly according to law, but upon a more speedy, economical and salutary principle..." In territorial Utah, there are eleven judicial excutions, and the same number of lynchings by mobs (primarily Mormon).
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
165 years ago today - Jul 11, 1860
DESERET NEWS favorably reports lynching of horse-thief A.B. Baker by possee deputized to arrest him. He is "buried by those who thus meted out to him summary justice not exactly according to law, but upon a more speedy, economical and salutary principle. . ." In territorial Utah, there are eleven judicial executions, and same number of lynchings by mobs (primarily Mormons).
175 years ago today - Jul 11, 1850
[Wilford Woodruff]
11th Elder L. Hardy was sick. I laid Hands upon him & He was Healed. I had two Teamsters whose names was Graham. Their conduct was disgraceful in evry sense of the word. They would steal, lie, sware, & do almost evry evil thing in their power And we came to the conclusion to Cast the Family out of Camp, for their wickedness.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
11th Elder L. Hardy was sick. I laid Hands upon him & He was Healed. I had two Teamsters whose names was Graham. Their conduct was disgraceful in evry sense of the word. They would steal, lie, sware, & do almost evry evil thing in their power And we came to the conclusion to Cast the Family out of Camp, for their wickedness.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
175 years ago today - Jul 11, 1850
John Taylor flat out lies in public debate in France, condemns polygamy, says not doctrine or legal, yet he had a dozen wives at the time, knew Church practiced it. He later he published the debate to promote missionary efforts in England.
[Chronology of Mormon History, http://followtheprophets.com/chronology-of-mormon-history/]
[Chronology of Mormon History, http://followtheprophets.com/chronology-of-mormon-history/]
75 years ago today - Jul 10, 1950
[David O. McKay]
President Smith, in conversation regarding the B.Y.U. Presidency, expressed himself as looking with disfavor upon the appointment of Ernest Wilkinson as President of the Brigham Young University if Wilkinson's suit with the government is not yet consummated.
[David O. McKay Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
President Smith, in conversation regarding the B.Y.U. Presidency, expressed himself as looking with disfavor upon the appointment of Ernest Wilkinson as President of the Brigham Young University if Wilkinson's suit with the government is not yet consummated.
[David O. McKay Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
115 years ago today - Jul 10, 1910
[George Albert Smith]
"I have prayed to the Lord for deliverance from my affliction..."
[Journals of George Albert Smith]
"I have prayed to the Lord for deliverance from my affliction..."
[Journals of George Albert Smith]
125 years ago today - Tuesday, Jul 10, 1900
Apostle Brigham Young read from a report furnished by Elder Geo. Reynolds, as follows: the number of converts (adult) made by the 1900 elders in the field in 1899 was 4100, or a fraction over 2 converts to an elder. The cost of keeping the elders in the field—including transportation, cost of living, and value of time, amounted to $950,000 per annum, or in other words, the cost of making each convert was $250.
This idea was brought out in the discussion that followed, namely, that while the expense of converting the people of the world was great, it should be remembered that much good comes to our young men who take missions, for in this way many of them obtain a testimony of the truth of the gospel. Notwithstanding this and other considerations, it was thought by some of the brethren that the missionary work was being overdone.
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
This idea was brought out in the discussion that followed, namely, that while the expense of converting the people of the world was great, it should be remembered that much good comes to our young men who take missions, for in this way many of them obtain a testimony of the truth of the gospel. Notwithstanding this and other considerations, it was thought by some of the brethren that the missionary work was being overdone.
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
150 years ago today - 1875. July 10
(Martin Harris) : Died at the age of ninety-two in Clarkston, Utah. Buried in the Clarkston Cemetery with a Book of Mormon in his right hand and a Doctrine and Covenants in his left.
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
155 years ago today - Jul 10, 1870
[Brigham Young]
I defy all the spiritualists in the world to make a table move or get a Communication from Hell or the spirit world while I am present. I lay hands upon the sick. I expet them to be healed & virtue goes out of me & it did out of Jesus Christ when the woman touched him. All may not be healed that I lay hands upon, but many are healed.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I defy all the spiritualists in the world to make a table move or get a Communication from Hell or the spirit world while I am present. I lay hands upon the sick. I expet them to be healed & virtue goes out of me & it did out of Jesus Christ when the woman touched him. All may not be healed that I lay hands upon, but many are healed.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
75 years ago today - Jul 9, 1950
[Spencer W. Kimball]
[Regarding his tour of the Intermountain Indian School in Brigham City, Utah:] It is an extravagant plant. It makes my heart heavy to see so much money spent so lavishly upon so few when there are so many Indian children who need training. It is my conviction that the millions could be distributed so much more equitably and spread farther through a program of Government subsidy to the State Schools who would educate all the Indian children in public schools.
[Spencer W. Kimball Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Regarding his tour of the Intermountain Indian School in Brigham City, Utah:] It is an extravagant plant. It makes my heart heavy to see so much money spent so lavishly upon so few when there are so many Indian children who need training. It is my conviction that the millions could be distributed so much more equitably and spread farther through a program of Government subsidy to the State Schools who would educate all the Indian children in public schools.
[Spencer W. Kimball Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
95 years ago today - Jul 9, 1930
[Heber J. Grant]
Today, after coming from the temple meeting, I met George H. Norman, who told me that Brother Henry Moray was trying to persuade one of his daughters to enter into so-called plural marriage with him. I explained to him and his daughter the attitude of the Church in regard to such things.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Today, after coming from the temple meeting, I met George H. Norman, who told me that Brother Henry Moray was trying to persuade one of his daughters to enter into so-called plural marriage with him. I explained to him and his daughter the attitude of the Church in regard to such things.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
130 years ago today - Jul 9, 1895
[Brigham Young Jr.]
When at the Z[ion's]. S[avings]. Bank Sister Wells approached me, she being one of the very active ladies among the womens rights & democrats, and quietly whispered in my ear, we are talking of putting you in nomination for Governor of the new state. It is the second time this has been said to me the first were Repub[lican]. I know not what my brethren think but my mind is clear, I would not submit my name to either party to be made President of the United States. So much good & so much bad figure together in politics now a days that the dose seems too drastic for an honest man to swallow unbiased by the prevailing spirit in politics. Good honest men shout themselves hoarse with urging party cries but it is not the calm sober spirit of God that makes howling maniacs of High Priests, Seventies, elders and teachers of the pure religion of the Meek and lowly Jesus. In the name of God what spirit has take[n] possession of your house, that your howling rends the air and makes night
hideous in Zion. Hasten Father in heaven to develop[e] in the minds of thy people the pure politics of the Kingdom of God that we go no more whoring after the digenerate spirit of the heathen, who call themselves christians.
[Brigham Young Jr. Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
When at the Z[ion's]. S[avings]. Bank Sister Wells approached me, she being one of the very active ladies among the womens rights & democrats, and quietly whispered in my ear, we are talking of putting you in nomination for Governor of the new state. It is the second time this has been said to me the first were Repub[lican]. I know not what my brethren think but my mind is clear, I would not submit my name to either party to be made President of the United States. So much good & so much bad figure together in politics now a days that the dose seems too drastic for an honest man to swallow unbiased by the prevailing spirit in politics. Good honest men shout themselves hoarse with urging party cries but it is not the calm sober spirit of God that makes howling maniacs of High Priests, Seventies, elders and teachers of the pure religion of the Meek and lowly Jesus. In the name of God what spirit has take[n] possession of your house, that your howling rends the air and makes night
hideous in Zion. Hasten Father in heaven to develop[e] in the minds of thy people the pure politics of the Kingdom of God that we go no more whoring after the digenerate spirit of the heathen, who call themselves christians.
[Brigham Young Jr. Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
155 years ago today - Saturday July 9, 1870
[Payson School of the Prophets]
.... Prest Fairbanks introduced the subject of cooperation. Said we had commenced with merchandizing and now we want to branch out into more important matters. In Payson we are organizing a cooperative dairy and stock raising company. Believed we could cooperate in agriculture to better advantage than anything else.
Elder J. F. Bellows advocated the doctrine. Elder Mayer also spoke in favor of cooperative farming. Elder S. Worsencroft was an advocate of cooperation in every kind of business.
Elder Markham said if we want to know how to cooperate in a way pleasing to God all we have to do is to examine the Doctrine & Covenants - the order of Enoch is what we are tending to - that is the perfect system. Elders Crook & J. W. Huish spoke in favor of cooperation.
Elder S. P. Stark could see that until our interests are one we can never be united. Elder T. E. Daniels said if we go into cooperation we may expect opposition which is a proof that it is right.
The devil is opposed to cooperation because it means union and strength, and if carried out will defeat his designs. The authorities of the church are ready to lead out in this thing as soon as they can see that the people are willing.
[A Record of Sayings and Doings in the School of the Prophets, organized by President Brigham Young September 19, 1868, In Payson City, Utah County, U.T., typescript by Michael Nielsen]
.... Prest Fairbanks introduced the subject of cooperation. Said we had commenced with merchandizing and now we want to branch out into more important matters. In Payson we are organizing a cooperative dairy and stock raising company. Believed we could cooperate in agriculture to better advantage than anything else.
Elder J. F. Bellows advocated the doctrine. Elder Mayer also spoke in favor of cooperative farming. Elder S. Worsencroft was an advocate of cooperation in every kind of business.
Elder Markham said if we want to know how to cooperate in a way pleasing to God all we have to do is to examine the Doctrine & Covenants - the order of Enoch is what we are tending to - that is the perfect system. Elders Crook & J. W. Huish spoke in favor of cooperation.
Elder S. P. Stark could see that until our interests are one we can never be united. Elder T. E. Daniels said if we go into cooperation we may expect opposition which is a proof that it is right.
The devil is opposed to cooperation because it means union and strength, and if carried out will defeat his designs. The authorities of the church are ready to lead out in this thing as soon as they can see that the people are willing.
[A Record of Sayings and Doings in the School of the Prophets, organized by President Brigham Young September 19, 1868, In Payson City, Utah County, U.T., typescript by Michael Nielsen]
170 years ago today - Jul 9, 1855
James Strang assassinated by disaffected followers.
[Chronology of Mormon History, http://followtheprophets.com/chronology-of-mormon-history/]
[Chronology of Mormon History, http://followtheprophets.com/chronology-of-mormon-history/]
180 years ago today - Jul 9, 1845
[Heber C. Kimball]
W. Richards sent fore me to Lay hands on his wife. She appeared as though she was diing. At about 10 in the Morning I went thare again to clothe and pray for hur again. Present G. A. Smith, Levi Richards, John Smith, J. Tailor. We praied after the Holy Order and annointed her. She died in about half an hour after, this was in the fore part of the day.
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
W. Richards sent fore me to Lay hands on his wife. She appeared as though she was diing. At about 10 in the Morning I went thare again to clothe and pray for hur again. Present G. A. Smith, Levi Richards, John Smith, J. Tailor. We praied after the Holy Order and annointed her. She died in about half an hour after, this was in the fore part of the day.
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
180 years ago today - Jul 9, 1845
Brigham Young and the rest of the Twelve give a banquet for William Smith, his daughters and new bride, and every other living member and spouse of the extended Smith family. William gives this after-dinner toast: "In the name and in behalf of all my relatives here assembled, the whole Smith family, I present my thanks to the President [Brigham Young] and Bishops for the kind manifestation of their good feelings toward the remnants of that family." The church's New York Messenger prints a full description of this dinner as a refutation that there is "a division of the House of the Lord," referring to stories in New York newspapers about the disaffection of Emma Smith and William. William is dropped from the Quorum of Apostles and excommunicated three months later.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
185 years ago today - Jul 9, 1840
Wilford Woodruff writes from England of his dealings with a sect called The United Brethren: "I also baptized about forty preachers of the same order, and several others belonging unto other churches, and about one hundred and twenty members of the United Brethren, which opened about forty doors or preaching places, where the fullness of the Gospel would meet a welcome reception, and all this during the term of one month and five days."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
50 years ago today - Jul 8, 1975-Wednesday
[Leonard Arrington]
Today in our executives meeting Elder [Joseph] Anderson told us some stories about Heber J. Grant. He said he had a reputation of being a kind of a spendthrift. Actually he spent very little on himself. Most of his spending was to help out friends and loved ones that he felt needed help. He paid off many widows' mortgages that Brother Anderson has knowledge of, he helped support children in school of dear friends, he supported some persons in business deals that were not good risks yet he wanted to help out the person out of friendship.
When President Grant was old, he needed to have a prostate operation. No doctor in Salt Lake City wanted to do it because those operations still involved a certain risk and nobody wanted to do it on the president of the Church, so he went to the Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago. The doctor there, a Jewish doctor, performed the operation and then sent him a bill for $2,500. That was a large sum of money in those days. President Grant directed Brother Anderson to write a letter for his signature saying that he supposed the doctor would presume him to be a wealthy man. There were lots of flowers sent by his business associates, he arrived in a fine chauffeured car, he was the director of Union Pacific Railroad and so on. Actually, however, he was not a wealthy person. He sent along his own personal accounts to show that he was not a wealthy person. The doctor considering this knocked $1,000 off the bill and charged him only $1,500. Later on during the depression of the
1930s, U and I Sugar stock got down to 13M-BM-" per share-not $13 but 13M-BM-" per share. President Grant was able to buy up considerable quantities of stock at that price. As time went on the stock went up and up and up. President Grant's normal procedure was to hold onto stock, but this time he decided to sell a quantity and Rio Grande Railroad entered bankruptcy in 1934, he was appointed a co-trustee to lead the company back into the black. of it and made a substantial profit. Having made the profit he then wrote to the doctor in Chicago saying that he had been a person of modest means, but now he was better able to pay and sent him back a check for $1,000. President Grant was an honest person in his business dealings and went out of his way to satisfy every person as fully as he could.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Today in our executives meeting Elder [Joseph] Anderson told us some stories about Heber J. Grant. He said he had a reputation of being a kind of a spendthrift. Actually he spent very little on himself. Most of his spending was to help out friends and loved ones that he felt needed help. He paid off many widows' mortgages that Brother Anderson has knowledge of, he helped support children in school of dear friends, he supported some persons in business deals that were not good risks yet he wanted to help out the person out of friendship.
When President Grant was old, he needed to have a prostate operation. No doctor in Salt Lake City wanted to do it because those operations still involved a certain risk and nobody wanted to do it on the president of the Church, so he went to the Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago. The doctor there, a Jewish doctor, performed the operation and then sent him a bill for $2,500. That was a large sum of money in those days. President Grant directed Brother Anderson to write a letter for his signature saying that he supposed the doctor would presume him to be a wealthy man. There were lots of flowers sent by his business associates, he arrived in a fine chauffeured car, he was the director of Union Pacific Railroad and so on. Actually, however, he was not a wealthy person. He sent along his own personal accounts to show that he was not a wealthy person. The doctor considering this knocked $1,000 off the bill and charged him only $1,500. Later on during the depression of the
1930s, U and I Sugar stock got down to 13M-BM-" per share-not $13 but 13M-BM-" per share. President Grant was able to buy up considerable quantities of stock at that price. As time went on the stock went up and up and up. President Grant's normal procedure was to hold onto stock, but this time he decided to sell a quantity and Rio Grande Railroad entered bankruptcy in 1934, he was appointed a co-trustee to lead the company back into the black. of it and made a substantial profit. Having made the profit he then wrote to the doctor in Chicago saying that he had been a person of modest means, but now he was better able to pay and sent him back a check for $1,000. President Grant was an honest person in his business dealings and went out of his way to satisfy every person as fully as he could.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
165 years ago today - Jul 8, 1860
Brigham Young preaches, "Children are now born who will live until every son of Adam will have the privilege of receiving the principles of eternal life." He also preaches, "The birth of the Saviour was as natural as are the births of our chilren; it was the result of natural action." Traditional Christians are infuriated by this rejection (dating to 24 July 1853) of the Virgin Birth and Young's assertion that God has a body capable of sexual intercourse. Repeated publication of such assaults on Christian orthodoxy leads to near hysteria in Protestant rhetoric against Mormons.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
170 years ago today - Jul 8, 1855
[Minutes of the Apostles]
B Y[:] I would turn out half a dozen boys with lariats & they wo[ul]d. have used up [killed] all the Soldiers. I have told them once [and] for all. Every L D S [is] not to admit any Officer or Soldier into his house' ... We have got to restore the purity of the body in order to receive the Priesthood in its fullness. In Baltimore they kill their children & are mad at us for raising the children. [W]e are at war with the whole of them. [T]hey have done every thing they could to kill us. [T]hey have got to let us alone or they will get into Trouble. ... -I told him [Judge Kinny] death would be the result if he did not let my concerns alone. ...
[Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
B Y[:] I would turn out half a dozen boys with lariats & they wo[ul]d. have used up [killed] all the Soldiers. I have told them once [and] for all. Every L D S [is] not to admit any Officer or Soldier into his house' ... We have got to restore the purity of the body in order to receive the Priesthood in its fullness. In Baltimore they kill their children & are mad at us for raising the children. [W]e are at war with the whole of them. [T]hey have done every thing they could to kill us. [T]hey have got to let us alone or they will get into Trouble. ... -I told him [Judge Kinny] death would be the result if he did not let my concerns alone. ...
[Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
170 years ago today - Jul 8, 1855
[Brigham Young Sermon]
.... If you and I could live in the flesh until that Kingdom is fully established, and actually spread abroad to rule in a temporal point of view, we should find that it will sustain and uphold every individual in what they deem their individual rights, so far as they do not infringe upon the rights of their fellow creatures. For instance, if the Kingdom of God was now established upon the continent of North and South America, and actually held rule and dominion over what we call the United States, the Methodist would be protected just as much as the Latter-day Saints; the Friend Quakers, the Shaking Quakers, and the members of every religious denomination would be sustained in what they considered to be their rights, so far as their notions were not incompatible with the laws of the Kingdom. ... It was asked this morning how we could obtain redress for our wrongs; I will tell you how it could be done, we could take the same law they have taken, viz., mobocracy, and if any
miserable scoundrels come here, cut their throats. (All the people said, Amen.) ...
[Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 2:309-317, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
.... If you and I could live in the flesh until that Kingdom is fully established, and actually spread abroad to rule in a temporal point of view, we should find that it will sustain and uphold every individual in what they deem their individual rights, so far as they do not infringe upon the rights of their fellow creatures. For instance, if the Kingdom of God was now established upon the continent of North and South America, and actually held rule and dominion over what we call the United States, the Methodist would be protected just as much as the Latter-day Saints; the Friend Quakers, the Shaking Quakers, and the members of every religious denomination would be sustained in what they considered to be their rights, so far as their notions were not incompatible with the laws of the Kingdom. ... It was asked this morning how we could obtain redress for our wrongs; I will tell you how it could be done, we could take the same law they have taken, viz., mobocracy, and if any
miserable scoundrels come here, cut their throats. (All the people said, Amen.) ...
[Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 2:309-317, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
170 years ago today - Jul 8, 1855
[Brigham Young]
In the afternoon President Young Addressed the people upon the subject of the Gentiles Coming to Zion and interfering with our institutions polluting our females & committing abominations in Israel. He declared they should be put to death if they followed it any more. -- SLC Tabernacle
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal. 9 Vols. Scott G. Kenney, ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1983-85. 4:331, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
In the afternoon President Young Addressed the people upon the subject of the Gentiles Coming to Zion and interfering with our institutions polluting our females & committing abominations in Israel. He declared they should be put to death if they followed it any more. -- SLC Tabernacle
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal. 9 Vols. Scott G. Kenney, ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1983-85. 4:331, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
170 years ago today - Jul 8, 1855
I am the Governor still, and who can help it. It was stenotyped and sent forth to the world that Sebastpol is still in possession of the Russians, and Brigham Young is Gov. of Utah. I have said this mildly and calmly, and if Bro. Kinney is here to hear it I am glad and he not try to deny what I have said. ... I say again so help me God we will cut their throats if they do here again as they did last winter; we will waste them away, and kill them in the streets at noonday, in the morning, and at night. I am Gov. here, and I want Bro. Kinney or any other man to write that and send it to the editors of papers in the United States if they think proper. If persons come here and behave like gentlemen they shall enjoy their rights, and we will enjoy ours or fight to the death... I have nothing to say against the most of the soldiers particularly, but against a good many of the officers, those poor miserable curses that were here last winter. We ought to have hung up their bodies as a
public example and as a warning to others, or to have cast them over the city walls to the wolves, as I have felt sorry every since they went away that this was not done. I did not feel so keenly about it then as I have since they went away and the longer I live and the more I think about it I feel the more apprehension that I have not done right. But I will not let such another scene pass over, I think, unvisited by a just retribution. -- SLC Tabernacle
[Brigham Young Collection, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
public example and as a warning to others, or to have cast them over the city walls to the wolves, as I have felt sorry every since they went away that this was not done. I did not feel so keenly about it then as I have since they went away and the longer I live and the more I think about it I feel the more apprehension that I have not done right. But I will not let such another scene pass over, I think, unvisited by a just retribution. -- SLC Tabernacle
[Brigham Young Collection, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
175 years ago today - Jul 8, 1850
James J. Strang is publicly crowned "King at Zion" at St. James, Beaver Island, Michigan. Ceremony is performed by George J. Adams, former member of Joseph Smith's Council of Fifty. Non-believers and apostates murder Strang in 1856.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
180 years ago today - Jul 8, 1845
Patriarchal Blessing of Alpheus L. Dillan given by William Smith on July 8, 1845 ... thou shalt be numbered with the house of Israel, and with the one hundred and forty four thousand, on Mount Zion, and of the promised seed shall thy name be reckoned, and thousands shall call thee blessed, thy days are not a few ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
[Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - Jul 8, 1845. Tuesday.
....President Young and Elder Richards came to the office and brought a bag containing $2599.75 in Gold. Joseph Toronto, an Italian, came to President Young and said he wanted to give himself and all he had to President Young. He had this gold which was carefully wrapped up in old rags, tin Books &c which he freely and voluntarily gave up saying he should henceforth look to President Young for protection and council.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
[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]
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