Today In Mormon History-fb
Several curious tidbits that happened on this day in Mormon History
50 years ago today - Nov 03, 1975
U.S. President Gerald Ford appoints Lieutenant General Brent Scowcroft as his National Security Affairs (NSA) advisor, replacing Henry Kissinger, who had been both secretary of state and NSA advisor. Scowcroft is the first Latter-day Saint to serve in this top position. He serves again in this position under U.S. President George Herbert Walker Bush (1989-93).
80 years ago today - Nov 03, 1945
President George Albert Smith meets with U.S. President Harry S. Truman in Washington, D.C., to obtain permission for the Church to send food and supplies to the Saints in war-torn Europe.
115 years ago today - Thursday, Nov 3, 1910
[John Henry Smith]
Politics is burning hot. Many dirty and unfair things are being said by both parties.
[Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
Politics is burning hot. Many dirty and unfair things are being said by both parties.
[Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
135 years ago today - Nov 3, 1890 (Monday)
A contract was signed for the erection of the first beet sugar plant in Utah, to cost $400,000.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
145 years ago today - Nov 3, 1880
Pres[iden]t. A. Hatch of Wasatch [Utah] Stake was criticised for his aversion to Polygamy& letting Dr Russell denounce J[oseph]. F. Smith.
[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]
[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 - Nov 3, 1850
Fredericka Bremer wrote of a visit to Nauvoo, "We are now in sight of Nauvoo, formerly the capital of the Mormon district, and the magnificent ruin of their former temple is standing on its elevated site." .
[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
190 years ago today - Nov 3, 1835
Eleven of the Twelve are chastened for not being sufficiently humble or equal in financial affairs and for criticizing William Smith.
[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]
190 years ago today - Nov 3, 1835
Joseph receives a revelation for the Twelve, stating that they must humble themselves and be patient with his brother William. He then dedicates the School of the Elders, promising a "glorious endowment that God has in store for the faithful."
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
30 years ago today - Nov 2, 1995
The announcement that Presiding Bishop Merrill J. Bateman will be the new president of BYU, effective 1 Jan. He is also appointed a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy. Despite Bateman's Ph.D. in economics from MIT, the appointment of a general authority to BYU's helm has the appearance of guaranteeing that the LDS hierarchy will not need to deal with a vigorous advocate for academic freedom at the largest LDS campus. This is how the Chronicle of Higher Education views it. Within months Bateman is the center of national controversy over his speech to BYU students against moral relativism, the published version of which lifts numerous phrases (without quotation marks) from a recently published article by neo-conservative scholar Gertrude Himmelfarb. She is cited (with quotation marks) for only one sentence and phrase of many that Bateman's speech/article interweaves with slight changes in a manner familiar to anyone who has read plagarized papers by freshman students. Bateman
publicly apologizes to Himmelfarb and insists that the controversy is about "one" misplaced quotation mark, yet the public image remains that BYU's president participates in the "moral relativism" he condemns.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
publicly apologizes to Himmelfarb and insists that the controversy is about "one" misplaced quotation mark, yet the public image remains that BYU's president participates in the "moral relativism" he condemns.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
105 years ago today - Nov 2, 1920
[Heber J. Grant]
My wife and I went and voted. When I came to look over the ticket that I had checked I found that I had voted for nine more Republicans than I had Democrats. It is amusing for me to pose as a Democrat, and when I come to vote at our State elections and National elections divide my vote for a larger number of Republicans than Democrats. I always go over the ticket and try to pick out the best men without regard to which party they belong.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
My wife and I went and voted. When I came to look over the ticket that I had checked I found that I had voted for nine more Republicans than I had Democrats. It is amusing for me to pose as a Democrat, and when I come to vote at our State elections and National elections divide my vote for a larger number of Republicans than Democrats. I always go over the ticket and try to pick out the best men without regard to which party they belong.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Nov 2, 1890
[Abraham H. Cannon]
In relation to S[amuel] F. Ball who desires to go to Mexico and get a fourth wife, Father [George Q. Cannon] said it could not be done, as such things had ceased to occur even there. One young man who recently had this privilege, came back and allowed the knowledge of it to go out, and thus put the Church in danger. Father feels, as I do, that it is best to entirely cease the performance of such marriages for the present and thus make the brethren more appreciative of present blessings. ...
[Abraham H. Cannon (Author), Edward Leo Lyman (Editor), Candid Insights of a Mormon Apostle: The Diaries of Abraham H. Cannon, 1889-1895, Signature Books]
In relation to S[amuel] F. Ball who desires to go to Mexico and get a fourth wife, Father [George Q. Cannon] said it could not be done, as such things had ceased to occur even there. One young man who recently had this privilege, came back and allowed the knowledge of it to go out, and thus put the Church in danger. Father feels, as I do, that it is best to entirely cease the performance of such marriages for the present and thus make the brethren more appreciative of present blessings. ...
[Abraham H. Cannon (Author), Edward Leo Lyman (Editor), Candid Insights of a Mormon Apostle: The Diaries of Abraham H. Cannon, 1889-1895, Signature Books]
140 years ago today - Monday, Nov 2, 1885
[John Henry Smith]
Bro. F. D. Richards told Bro. M. Thatcher and I that a charge of adultery had been made against Bro. [apostle] Albert Cartington.
[Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
Bro. F. D. Richards told Bro. M. Thatcher and I that a charge of adultery had been made against Bro. [apostle] Albert Cartington.
[Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
190 years ago today - Nov 2, 1835
Plastering and the hard finishing on the outside of the [Kirtland] temple have begun. Joseph is busy setting up the School of the Elders. He goes with Sidney Rigdon, Oliver Cowdery, and Frederick G. Williams to Willoughby College to hear a Dr. Piexotto lecture on physics. They learn that he will come to Kirtland to teach Hebrew.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
30 years ago today - Nov 1, 1995
Five BYU professors submit an officially-commissioned, four-year study of LDS applicants for freshmen admission (1971-88). Findings show that active Mormons who attend BYU "even for only one semester" have significantly higher rates of temple marriage, tithing payment, and belief in LDS doctrines than Mormons who attend other colleges. Although survey participants are age twenty-six to mid-forties, 20 percent "of the marriage respondents in both groups remianed childless." BYU's spokesperson says that the executive committee of the Board of Trustees decides to suppress this report because "we already get a lot of pressure about admission to BYU and release of this study would only make that worse." Since 1973 the enrollment limit of 27,000 means that "only a small and shrinking minority of Mormon youth," can attend BYU. No spokesperson at LDS headquarters or at BYU comments on the evidence of long-term birth-control by married couples who are actively LDS. Despite contrary
statements of BYU's spokesperson and sources at church headquarters, BYU president Bateman denies in February 1996 that the board has made any decision about circulating this study's findings.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
statements of BYU's spokesperson and sources at church headquarters, BYU president Bateman denies in February 1996 that the board has made any decision about circulating this study's findings.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
50 years ago today - Nov 1, 1975
A Church News article about Kathy Devine, an LDS shotputter and Olympic aspirant who criticizes those who "think all girls should be out baking cookies somewhere."
[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 - Nov 1, 1900; Thursday
Went to my Temple meeting. Pres[iden]t. [Lorenzo] Snow said he did not know how it would be done but Plural Marriage will again be returned. "I am just sure of it" he said. Went to Pres[iden]t. [Joseph F.] Smith with a matter to decide.
[Abraham Owen Woodruff, Diary]
[Abraham Owen Woodruff, Diary]
130 years ago today - Nov 1, 1895
[Thomas A. Clawson Diary]
"The Political Matter and things the politicians are using to influence voters are shaking Zion to the center and I fear that apostacy is stalking abroad among the Saints. The Democrats are trying to drag the First Presidency into Politics by saying they are using their influence &c. and I am very sorry to see many of our brethren are talking loudly against the Lord's Anointed in consequence thereof."
[Diary Excerpts of Thomas A. Clawson, Signature Books Library, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
"The Political Matter and things the politicians are using to influence voters are shaking Zion to the center and I fear that apostacy is stalking abroad among the Saints. The Democrats are trying to drag the First Presidency into Politics by saying they are using their influence &c. and I am very sorry to see many of our brethren are talking loudly against the Lord's Anointed in consequence thereof."
[Diary Excerpts of Thomas A. Clawson, Signature Books Library, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
130 years ago today - Nov 1, 1895
[Brigham Young Jr.]
Politics are running high. O. W. Powers is running the Democratic Party and seems to have perfectly pulled the wool over our brethrens eyes. I am almost convinced that Moses Thatcher is gone over to the enemy; poor fellow. I am sorry but alas my confidence in that splendid man is entirely or, almost entirely gone. God help him. Powers is the chief scoundrel in Utah. Wicked, unscrupulous, bold, perfect master of political wire pulling, good judge of human nature and a faithful servant of the devil if he is not the Lucifer himself.
[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]
Politics are running high. O. W. Powers is running the Democratic Party and seems to have perfectly pulled the wool over our brethrens eyes. I am almost convinced that Moses Thatcher is gone over to the enemy; poor fellow. I am sorry but alas my confidence in that splendid man is entirely or, almost entirely gone. God help him. Powers is the chief scoundrel in Utah. Wicked, unscrupulous, bold, perfect master of political wire pulling, good judge of human nature and a faithful servant of the devil if he is not the Lucifer himself.
[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]
135 years ago today - Nov 1, 1890
President Woodruff told Salt Lake City's 14th Ward: '... the Prophet went to the home of President Taylor, and said to him, "Brother John, I want Leonora["] ... it is said [that] John Taylor never answered the prophet, turned away and walked the floor all night, but the next morning, went to the home of the Prophet's [sic] and said to him, ["]Brother Joseph, if God wants Leonora[,] He can have her.["] That was all the prophet was after ... and said to him, ["]Brother Taylor, I don't want your wife, I just wanted to know where you stood.["]'
[John M. Whitaker typed and edited journals, 1: 242 (1 November 1890), Special Collections, Marriott Library, quoted in "Evidence For The Sexual Side of Joseph Smith's Polygamy," Comments by D. Michael Quinn on Session #2A "Reconsidering Joseph Smith's Marital Practices," Mormon History Association's Annual Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 29 June 2012 (unabbreviated version, revised during July)]
[John M. Whitaker typed and edited journals, 1: 242 (1 November 1890), Special Collections, Marriott Library, quoted in "Evidence For The Sexual Side of Joseph Smith's Polygamy," Comments by D. Michael Quinn on Session #2A "Reconsidering Joseph Smith's Marital Practices," Mormon History Association's Annual Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 29 June 2012 (unabbreviated version, revised during July)]
135 years ago today - Nov 1, 1890
Date for which U.S. President William Henry Harrison's amnesty declaration for LDS polygamists does not cover "unlawful cohabitation." According to Harrison's proclamation no Mormon polygamists will be prosecuted for illegal cohabitation committed before this date if they refrain from such cohabitation after this date.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
135 years ago today - Nov 1, 1890 (Saturday)
Evan Stephens succeeded Ebenezer Beesley as leader of the Tabernacle choir, Salt Lake City.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
140 years ago today - Sunday, Nov 1, 1885
[John Henry Smith]
Logan
This makes thirty-eight meetings I have attended in two weeks.
[Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
Logan
This makes thirty-eight meetings I have attended in two weeks.
[Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
175 years ago today - Nov 1, 1850
John Taylor advertises in the MILLENIAL STAR death-mask busts of Joseph and Hyrum Smith: "I procured casts taken from their faces immediately after their death. I had also the various drawings with me, which had been made while they were living."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
185 years ago today - Nov 1, 1840
Notice in "Times and Seasons:" ". . . It is requested that all those who have been endowed with a poetical genius, whose muse has not been altogether idle, will feel enough interest in a work of this kind, to immediately forward all choice, newly composed or revised hymns. In designating those who arc endowed with Poetical genius, we do not intend to exclude others; we mean all who have good hymns that will cheer the heart of the righteous man, to send them as soon as practicable directed to Mrs. Emma Smith, Nauvoo, Illinois. POST PAID."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
190 years ago today - Nov 1, 1835
[General History]
Joseph Smith reaffirms "official" anti-abolitionist position,
[http://www.xtimeline.com/timeline/Chronology-Pertaining-to-Blacks-and-the-LDS-Church]
Joseph Smith reaffirms "official" anti-abolitionist position,
[http://www.xtimeline.com/timeline/Chronology-Pertaining-to-Blacks-and-the-LDS-Church]
200 years ago today - Nov 1, 1825
Joseph Smith Jr. and his father Joseph Smith Sr. sign "Articles of Agreement" concerning the seeking of a lost Spanish silver mine near Josiah Stowall's property in Harmony Pennsylvania. Stowall had heard of Joseph Smith's ability to see hidden treasures and brought him 150 miles from Palmyra, New York to help locate the fabled treasure. No money was ever found and Joseph was later tried and convicted as a "disorderly person" for his "glass looking" activities with Stowall. However it was in Harmony that Joseph met Emma Hale, his future wife.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
30 years ago today - 10/31/1995
A letter from Loren C. Dunn to Neal A. Maxwell discusses the need for immediate fundraising ($500,000) to begin in Hawaii in order to address forthcoming same-sex marriage legislation.
[Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]
[Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]
40 years ago today - Oct 31, 1985
Mark Hofmann released from LDS Hospital [after accidently blowing himself up with a bomb]. Later in the day he is charged with illegal possession of a machine gun. He pleads innocent and posts $50,000 bail. A Daniel Boone letter (1775) is sold at a Sotheby's auction for $29,000. The letter was a Hofmann creation. Sotheby's later buys letter back.
[Whittaker, David J., The Hofmann Maze, A Book Review Essay with a Chronology and Bibliography of the Hofmann Case, BYU Studies Vol. 29, No. 1, pg.80,]
[Whittaker, David J., The Hofmann Maze, A Book Review Essay with a Chronology and Bibliography of the Hofmann Case, BYU Studies Vol. 29, No. 1, pg.80,]
130 years ago today - Oct 31, 1895
[President Wilford Woodruff]
31 I met the Twelve in the Temple & Attended to what business we had. We still have trouble with Debts And the Political Elements are full of Darkness and lies. /<[---].>/ I never saw such a time in politics in this Church as to day. President Cannon has to Explain in a Card what He said at a Conference at Brigham City. F. M Lyman accused.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
31 I met the Twelve in the Temple & Attended to what business we had. We still have trouble with Debts And the Political Elements are full of Darkness and lies. /<[---].>/ I never saw such a time in politics in this Church as to day. President Cannon has to Explain in a Card what He said at a Conference at Brigham City. F. M Lyman accused.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
155 years ago today - Oct 31, 1870
At the death of Utah's governor J. Wilson Schaffer, Apostle Joseph F. Smith writes: "Thank God! He was a low, debauched, vulgar, senseless, ignorant cur, and the Lord be praised that his vile, despicable existence has terminated."
[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 - Oct 31, 1845. Friday.
[William Clayton]
....Evening met the Twelve and others at Elder Taylors for prayer. The subject of the United States endeavoring to prevent our removal West by taking out U.S. writs for the Council of Fifty was talked over and plans devised to defeat them in case they undertake to do it.
[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]
....Evening met the Twelve and others at Elder Taylors for prayer. The subject of the United States endeavoring to prevent our removal West by taking out U.S. writs for the Council of Fifty was talked over and plans devised to defeat them in case they undertake to do it.
[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 - Oct 31, 1845
Brigham Young records in his journal: "I received a letter from Charles A. Lovell, Mass., Oct 20th recommending us as a community to remove to California. Another from Thomas J. Farnhaus, New York, Oct 20th, on the same subject. Also one from Edward Warren, Boston, Oct 22nd portraying the Bay of San Francisco and country round as one well adapted for our location in the west."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
180 years ago today - Oct 31, 1845
The Quorum of the Twelve were beginning negotiations for the sale of Church property in Nauvoo to "outside" interests. Judge Ralston of Quincy, Illinois, had suggested that the Quorum invite officials of the Roman Catholic Church to visit Nauvoo with a view of prospective purchase of the Mormon properties. The Roman Catholic Church did subsequently purchase some of the L.D.S. properties which aided the Mormons in their move West.
[Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
[Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
190 years ago today - (Sat) Oct 31, 1835
William Smith confronted his brother Joseph, accusing him of always carrying out his planned course, "whether right or wrong." William tried to justify his "treating the authority of the Presidency with contempt." He then resigned his eldership in the Church and made public exclamations against his brother Joseph.
[LDS Church History Vol II, pp. 296-297; cf. Frost statement, in Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]
[LDS Church History Vol II, pp. 296-297; cf. Frost statement, in Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]
195 years ago today - Oct 31, 1830
The first sermon on what would later be known as Mormonism was delivered in Ohio to a Sunday congregation at the Mentor Disciples of Christ church.
[Mark Lyman Staker, Hearken, O Ye People: The Historical Setting of Joseph Smith's Ohio Revelations: A Selective Chronology of Significant Events in Ohio's LDS History]
[Mark Lyman Staker, Hearken, O Ye People: The Historical Setting of Joseph Smith's Ohio Revelations: A Selective Chronology of Significant Events in Ohio's LDS History]
85 years ago today - Oct 30, 1940
[Heber J. Grant]
Then President Clark ... said he had talked with some of the political men who believed if the Church were to sign as a body of the leading officials in favor of defeating Roosevelt it would do more harm than good in creating ill will, and maybe not get any more votes; so I suppose that temporarily at least I will abandon my pet desire to have the Presidency, the Twelve, the Seventies and the Presiding Bishopric publish a card that we hope and pray that Roosevelt will be defeated.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Then President Clark ... said he had talked with some of the political men who believed if the Church were to sign as a body of the leading officials in favor of defeating Roosevelt it would do more harm than good in creating ill will, and maybe not get any more votes; so I suppose that temporarily at least I will abandon my pet desire to have the Presidency, the Twelve, the Seventies and the Presiding Bishopric publish a card that we hope and pray that Roosevelt will be defeated.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
115 years ago today - Oct 30, 1910; Sunday
Cache [Utah] Confer[ence]. Large assembly. [Francis M.] Lyman preached on Bogus plural marriage.
[Charles W. Penrose, Diary]
[Charles W. Penrose, Diary]
125 years ago today - Oct 30, 1900; Tuesday
Mr. Richard C. Evans and Mr. Peter Anderson, ministers of the "Reorganized" church [who did not believe Joseph Smith practiced polygamy, nor some Nauvoo doctrines] who are at present stationed in North-western Missouri, called and had a long interview with President [Lorenzo] Snow in regard to plural marriage and other doctrines of the Church. President Snow gave them his personal testimony of the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith to himself on the subject of plural marriage. They expressed themselves as very well pleased with their visit while in the city.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
140 years ago today - Oct 30, 1885
[Heber J. Grant]
Bro Lyman and I had a long talk this afternoon regarding what a sad and terrible thing the affair with Bro Carrington [excommunicated member Twelve for adultry] was. We considered it especially unfortunate coming just at this time when our enemies were so hard at work enforcing the provisions of the Edmunds Law and so many of our brethren were suffering in penitentiaries for having kept God's commandments and entered into His law by marrying more than [one] wife.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Bro Lyman and I had a long talk this afternoon regarding what a sad and terrible thing the affair with Bro Carrington [excommunicated member Twelve for adultry] was. We considered it especially unfortunate coming just at this time when our enemies were so hard at work enforcing the provisions of the Edmunds Law and so many of our brethren were suffering in penitentiaries for having kept God's commandments and entered into His law by marrying more than [one] wife.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
145 years ago today - Oct 30, 1880 (Saturday)
Gordon S. Bills and another Elder were mobbed in Lawrence County, Ky.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
180 years ago today - Oct 30, 1845
[Wilford Woodruff in England]
I recieved A Neighbor & N. York Messenger speaking of the mob in Hancock County Illinois against the Saints. Said that the gentile mob had burned about 105 of the buildings of the Saints And that the Saints had taken up arms against the mob according to the laws & commands of God & officers of the Land. Three or four of the mob had been killed, And the rest wer fleeing to Missouri & other counties of Illinois.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I recieved A Neighbor & N. York Messenger speaking of the mob in Hancock County Illinois against the Saints. Said that the gentile mob had burned about 105 of the buildings of the Saints And that the Saints had taken up arms against the mob according to the laws & commands of God & officers of the Land. Three or four of the mob had been killed, And the rest wer fleeing to Missouri & other counties of Illinois.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
85 years ago today - Oct 29, 1940
[Nauvoo Temple]
The purchase of three lots, making up the southern side of Lot 4 (southeast quarter), begun by Wilford C. Wood, but it took thirteen months for the titles to clear. The deeds for some of the buildings had as many as eleven signatures. One of the buildings had been built by the Icarians. Wood also turned this property over to the Church.
[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
The purchase of three lots, making up the southern side of Lot 4 (southeast quarter), begun by Wilford C. Wood, but it took thirteen months for the titles to clear. The deeds for some of the buildings had as many as eleven signatures. One of the buildings had been built by the Icarians. Wood also turned this property over to the Church.
[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
120 years ago today - Oct 29, 1905; Sunday
In 1905, the agitation of hireling priests and many misguided people was strong against the seating of Apostle Reed Smoot in the United States Senate. The hue and cry was that many individuals had entered Plural Marriage since the Manifesto, among others, Brother John W. Taylor and myself [i.e., Matthias F. Cowley]. It was therefore thought advisable for us to to [sic] resign our places in the Council of the Twelve. Before doing so, President B. H. Roberts had made a speech, I understand by the request of the Presidency, in which he said that unless individuals would shoulder the responsibility of these marriages, the Church had not a "foot of ground to stand on, and that they were guilty of duplicity and double dealing." We had meetings with the Twelve for about six days which the Presidency did not attend except a part of the first one. No minutes of the meetings were kept. In one of these meetings Elder [Charles W.] Penrose said, referring to Elder [John W.] Taylor and
myself--these are very nearly his words, but I do not say verbatim--"These brethren are not on trial--they are not charged with disobedience and transgression, but we've all got in a box with the Government and something must be done to meet this fight, and if these brethren are willing to be humiliated they can be re-installed," whereupon Brother John Henry Smith threw up his hands and said, "yes, I'll vote for them with both hands." This was the spirit of the occasion--we had no arguments against our brethren. After the last meeting, which meetings were held in the Temple, Brother Penrose brought our resignations to us in the Temple all written, with no suggestion from us (although Brother Taylor desired to write his own). We signed them, and after doing so Brother Penrose said he had no idea that they would go into effect, and would not, unless matters came to the last ditch of necessity. This was in the fall of 1905, and at the April Conference of 1906, they were made public
and became of effect. After this action, I have done very little preaching but have been faithful in the payment of my tithing and offereings [sic]. Have
spent about $7,000.00 supporting my sons and others in the mission field. Have been regular in attendance at my Sunday Schools, Sacrament Meetings, Priesthood meetings, etc. In temporal affairs I have been engaged in different lines. Have sold Church books, life insurance, and real estate. At present I am working for the County Assossor's office in collecting personal taxes. Have done some assessing, and acted under Sheriff Clifford Patten as Bailiff in the Courts of Judges Ephraim Hanson and Oscar W. McConkie. After resigning from the Council of the Twelve, President Jos[eph]. F. Smith, recognizing that Brother Taylor and myself had not been wilfully wrong, continued my allowance of $150.00 a month from the Church. This was a great help to me, and was kept up until President Smith passed into the Spirit World. His kindness and element of justice I shall never forget. God bless his memory! In saying this I do not with to cast any reflections upon President [Heber J.] Grant
for stopping the allowance.7 I think it was the right thing for President Smith to keep it up. For aught I know it may have been just as right for President Grant to stop it. At any rate, I shall sustain and uphold President Grant in his administration as I did his predecessors, and I hope and pray that my wives and children will do the same. This is my counsel to them, now and forever, even so, Amen.
7Heber J. Grant recorded in his diary on January 20, 1919: "Ev[enin]g chat P[residen]t [Anthon H.] Lund & [Arthur] Winter. stop--[$]150 [Matthias F.] Cowley's wives."
["Family History Sketch of the History of Matthais Foss Cowley," ca. 1930, LDS Archives]
myself--these are very nearly his words, but I do not say verbatim--"These brethren are not on trial--they are not charged with disobedience and transgression, but we've all got in a box with the Government and something must be done to meet this fight, and if these brethren are willing to be humiliated they can be re-installed," whereupon Brother John Henry Smith threw up his hands and said, "yes, I'll vote for them with both hands." This was the spirit of the occasion--we had no arguments against our brethren. After the last meeting, which meetings were held in the Temple, Brother Penrose brought our resignations to us in the Temple all written, with no suggestion from us (although Brother Taylor desired to write his own). We signed them, and after doing so Brother Penrose said he had no idea that they would go into effect, and would not, unless matters came to the last ditch of necessity. This was in the fall of 1905, and at the April Conference of 1906, they were made public
and became of effect. After this action, I have done very little preaching but have been faithful in the payment of my tithing and offereings [sic]. Have
spent about $7,000.00 supporting my sons and others in the mission field. Have been regular in attendance at my Sunday Schools, Sacrament Meetings, Priesthood meetings, etc. In temporal affairs I have been engaged in different lines. Have sold Church books, life insurance, and real estate. At present I am working for the County Assossor's office in collecting personal taxes. Have done some assessing, and acted under Sheriff Clifford Patten as Bailiff in the Courts of Judges Ephraim Hanson and Oscar W. McConkie. After resigning from the Council of the Twelve, President Jos[eph]. F. Smith, recognizing that Brother Taylor and myself had not been wilfully wrong, continued my allowance of $150.00 a month from the Church. This was a great help to me, and was kept up until President Smith passed into the Spirit World. His kindness and element of justice I shall never forget. God bless his memory! In saying this I do not with to cast any reflections upon President [Heber J.] Grant
for stopping the allowance.7 I think it was the right thing for President Smith to keep it up. For aught I know it may have been just as right for President Grant to stop it. At any rate, I shall sustain and uphold President Grant in his administration as I did his predecessors, and I hope and pray that my wives and children will do the same. This is my counsel to them, now and forever, even so, Amen.
7Heber J. Grant recorded in his diary on January 20, 1919: "Ev[enin]g chat P[residen]t [Anthon H.] Lund & [Arthur] Winter. stop--[$]150 [Matthias F.] Cowley's wives."
["Family History Sketch of the History of Matthais Foss Cowley," ca. 1930, LDS Archives]
170 years ago today - Oct 29, 1855 (Monday)
The First Presidency of the Church, in the "Thirteenth General Epistle," proposed that the Saints, who emigrated by the P.E. Fund, should cross the plains with handcarts.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
180 years ago today - Oct 29, 1845
[William Smith]
". . . I heard Brigham Young say, on the stand, that he was glad that Alvine Hodge was killed, . . . And he said further that it was far better for Alvine Hodge to die, than to live any longer in sin, for that he might now possibly be redeemed in the eternal world. That his murderers had done even a deed of charity for that such a man deserved to die."
[William Smith, Warsaw Signal, October 29, 1845, in Mormon Bookshelf: Blood Atonement, http://mormonbookshelf.com/wiki/Blood_Atonement]
". . . I heard Brigham Young say, on the stand, that he was glad that Alvine Hodge was killed, . . . And he said further that it was far better for Alvine Hodge to die, than to live any longer in sin, for that he might now possibly be redeemed in the eternal world. That his murderers had done even a deed of charity for that such a man deserved to die."
[William Smith, Warsaw Signal, October 29, 1845, in Mormon Bookshelf: Blood Atonement, http://mormonbookshelf.com/wiki/Blood_Atonement]
180 years ago today - Oct 29, 1845
William Smith publishes a lengthy "Proclamation" in the Warsaw Gazette accusing Brigham Young of usurpation and painting a pitiable picture of Lucy's age and poverty.
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books, http://bit.ly/lucys-book]
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books, http://bit.ly/lucys-book]
180 years ago today - Oct 29, 1845, Wednesday
There is a rumor that Wm. Smith and others are trying to get up an influence with the president of the United States to prevent our going West and has already wrote to him on the subject, revealing the acts of the Council of Fifty &c and representing the council guilty of treason &c.
[Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries]
[Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries]
185 years ago today - Oct 29, 1840
Apostle Brigham Young writes in his journal: "Elder Kimball and I went to Southport, . . . The Patriarch blessed us, and prophecied that there were those present who should not sleep in the grave until they should see the Son of Man come in his glory-namely, brother Kimball and myself."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
190 years ago today - Oct 29, 1835
Joseph testifies before the high council in behalf of a brother who is accused of beating and whipping his daughter. In the second session, Joseph and his brother William, get into a furious argument over whether their mother should testify.
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
60 years ago today - Oct 28, 1965
Twelve students (at the invitation of BYU's president) bring their own rock music and demonstrate contremporary "fad dances" for general authorities in the church administration building. Apostle Joseph Fileding Smith says, "I don't know anything about them, and want to see them." Afterwards Apostle Gordon B. Hinckley exclaims, "Nothing like this has even happened in this building before!" Not long afterwards BYU more strictly enforces its ban against contemporary "rock" dancing.
[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)]]
120 years ago today - Oct 28, 1905
After a week of Quorum of the Twelve meetings so secret that no official minutes are kept, apostles John W. Taylor and Matthias F. Cowley write formal resignations due to their participation in post-Manifesto polygamy. Resignations are held in reserve unless considered necessary to save the church from a U.S. constitutional amendment or to save Apostle Reed Smoot from explusion from the U.S. Senate.
[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)]]
120 years ago today - Oct 28, 1905
[Apostle John W. Taylor]
I hereby tender to you my resignation as a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles, as it is clear to me that I have been out of harmony with you in some very important matters which have apparently brought reproach upon the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I wish to state in the first place that I have not violated the laws of the United States nor of the State of Utah in relation to Polygamous or plural marriages. Also that the authorities of the Church have not directed or authorized me to do so or to do anything contrary to the rules of the Church as adopted by that body. But I find that I have been out of harmony with the said authorities as to the scope and meaning of the Manifesto issued by President Wilford Woodruff and adopted by the General Conference on Oct[ober]. 6 1890 and also as to the meaning of the last clause of the petition for amnesty to President Benjamin Harrison in Dec[ember]. 1891. I have always believed that the government of the United States
had jurisdiction only within its own boundaries and that the term 'laws of the land' in the manifesto meant merely the laws of the United States. I find now that this opinion is different to that expressed by the church authorities who have declared that the prohibition against plural marriages extended to every place and to every part of the Church. It is doubtless true that this view of the matter has been given by President Woodruff and others, but I have never taken that an binding upon me of the Church, because it was never presented for adoption by 'Common Consent' as was the Manifesto itself and I have disputed its authority as a law or rule of the Church. I acknowledge that I received a request from President Joseph F. Smith by letter, to appear as a witness in the Reed Smoot case before the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections, but I declined to do so because, while I recognized his right to direct me in church affairs, I did not think his authority extended to
civil affairs to the extent that I should expose my family concerns and be questioned and held up to public ignominy as some of my brethern were before that body, and I still hold the same views upon that matter. In as much as I have not been in harmony with my brethren in these subjects and I have been called in question concerning them, I now submit myself to their discipline and to save further controversy tender this my resignation and hope for such clemency in my case as they may deem right and just and merciful. Met with council. Important matters. Conclusion arrived at on two of the brethren.
[John W. Taylor, Letter to the Council of Twelve Apostles, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
I hereby tender to you my resignation as a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles, as it is clear to me that I have been out of harmony with you in some very important matters which have apparently brought reproach upon the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I wish to state in the first place that I have not violated the laws of the United States nor of the State of Utah in relation to Polygamous or plural marriages. Also that the authorities of the Church have not directed or authorized me to do so or to do anything contrary to the rules of the Church as adopted by that body. But I find that I have been out of harmony with the said authorities as to the scope and meaning of the Manifesto issued by President Wilford Woodruff and adopted by the General Conference on Oct[ober]. 6 1890 and also as to the meaning of the last clause of the petition for amnesty to President Benjamin Harrison in Dec[ember]. 1891. I have always believed that the government of the United States
had jurisdiction only within its own boundaries and that the term 'laws of the land' in the manifesto meant merely the laws of the United States. I find now that this opinion is different to that expressed by the church authorities who have declared that the prohibition against plural marriages extended to every place and to every part of the Church. It is doubtless true that this view of the matter has been given by President Woodruff and others, but I have never taken that an binding upon me of the Church, because it was never presented for adoption by 'Common Consent' as was the Manifesto itself and I have disputed its authority as a law or rule of the Church. I acknowledge that I received a request from President Joseph F. Smith by letter, to appear as a witness in the Reed Smoot case before the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections, but I declined to do so because, while I recognized his right to direct me in church affairs, I did not think his authority extended to
civil affairs to the extent that I should expose my family concerns and be questioned and held up to public ignominy as some of my brethern were before that body, and I still hold the same views upon that matter. In as much as I have not been in harmony with my brethren in these subjects and I have been called in question concerning them, I now submit myself to their discipline and to save further controversy tender this my resignation and hope for such clemency in my case as they may deem right and just and merciful. Met with council. Important matters. Conclusion arrived at on two of the brethren.
[John W. Taylor, Letter to the Council of Twelve Apostles, 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 - Oct 28, 1850
[Wilford Woodruff]
I commenced this morning to sell some goods which I had on hand. The people crouded Hard around my waggon to buy sugar Coffee &c as they had not had a supply in the valley.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I commenced this morning to sell some goods which I had on hand. The people crouded Hard around my waggon to buy sugar Coffee &c as they had not had a supply in the valley.
[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 - Oct 28, 1845. Tuesday.
....[Major] Warren stated that when he came in with his troops on Saturday he had writs against the Twelve for "treason" but he considered it unjust to serve them, he considered that if the Twelve were to be harassed with writs, this people could not get away in the spring ... It appears that the Lord has softened his heart in answer to our prayers for which we felt thankful.
[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]
180 years ago today - Oct 28, 1845
B.[righam] Y.[oung:] I am on hand to answer the ends of the law any time'[.] I am informed that Dr. Williams has made an oath about the 12 making bogus'[.] tthe Govr. of Iowa is going to make a demand to take us into Iowa territory'but I will not go there' ... Ill defy any man to say I ever broke any law'[.] I never will break any law'[.] I wont be taken to Jail by any kind of process alive'they must take me dead '...
[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]
[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]
195 years ago today - Oct 28, 1830
Oliver Cowdery and Parley P. Pratt arrived in the Mentor, Geauga, OH and went directly to the home of Sidney Rigdon and stayed at his residence for a few days. Then Cowdery and Pratt went to Kirtland where they were well received by Rigdon's communal colony at the Morely farm.
[Broadhurst, Dale R., Oliver Cowdery Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/Cdychrn1.htm]
[Broadhurst, Dale R., Oliver Cowdery Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/Cdychrn1.htm]
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