85 years ago today - Jun 17, 1940

[Heber J. Grant]

After lunch had the usual nap and this evening took an automobile ride. My wife and I, Minerva Young, Annie Cannon, and Anna Midgley in the car. ...

We got to discussing politics tonight, much to my annoyance, and I expressed my opinion of President Roosevelt in very plain language, which annoyed Sister Young very much. She defended him vigorously and said he was the greatest president in her estimation which we have had since Lincoln. When I got home I realized that I had talked very loud and strong and I was afraid it would have a bad effect on me. I immediately called my doctor and he came to the house and discovered that my blood pressure had gone up thirty points, it had jumped from 150 to 180. It is a warning to me that I must not express myself so emphatically.

[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]

110 years ago today - Jun 17, 1915

Uniform spelling of the proper name Melchizedek-- Our attention having been called to the different forms of spelling the proper name Melchizedek (as, for example: Melchisedek, Melchizedec, Melchisedec, etc.,), at our request Dr. James E. Talmage made a critical investigation of the subject with a view to learning the biblical and philosophical consensus of authority and opinion concerning it. In harmony with Elder Talmage's report, and expressing our own views, the Council of the Presidency and Apostles has decided that the proper noun, and the adjective as applied to the High Priesthood should be spelled MELCHIZEDEK (as it appears in the Old Testament and Book of Mormon) in all publications of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. JOSEPH F. SMITH, ANTHON H. LUND, CHARLES W. PENROSE, First Presidency.

[1915-June 17-MS 77:376 (June 17, 1915). OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT, quoted in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]

125 years ago today - Jun 17, 1900

[Patriarchal Blessing of Samuel RosKelly by Henry Jackson]

.... thou shalt live for many years upon the earth; yea, thou shalt live to the full age of man. Even until thou hast passed thy 85th birthday...

[Patriarchal Blessing of Samuel RosKelley by Henry C. Jackson on June 17, 1900]

170 years ago today - Jun 17, 1855

.... if I should get mad in Washington, I would as soon fight the whole crowd as one individual, and they would use me up. There are but few spirited men who would endure the abuse and lies heaped upon this people. There is one statement which I have already made in this stand twice or thrice, but I will now make it again before our Delegate, for it has caused him much trouble. It has been reported in the United States that Brigham should have said that the President of the United States could not remove him from his office. I will repeat what I did say, as nearly as my memory will serve me. Exhorting the brethren and sisters, I said, '"Do not be alarmed, neither let your hearts sink within you, or be worried in the least with regard to a new Governor's coming to this Territory, for the Lord Almighty will preserve your present Governor unto you as long as He pleases, and no power can hinder. And if it is His will to remove the present Governor, know ye that it will be for the
best.'" ... when Colonel Steptoe received the appointment; but the Lord operated upon the Colonel to continue his march to California.

[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 - Tuesday, June 17th, 1845

[John Taylor]

Went to Mother Lucy Smith's, by her request to read some of her history, to see if it was fit or ready for publication. I had an interesting conversation with the old lady; wherein she related many things concerning the family that pleased as well as instructed me; though now quite an aged woman, the power of her memory is surprising, she is able to relate circumstances connected with the family, with great distinctness and accuracy; she is an honor as well as an ornament to the family she belongs.

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

180 years ago today - Jun 17, 1845

The Twelve indicated they wanted to follow Joseph Smith's proposal and erected a canvas tabernacle on the west side of the temple. Orson Hyde was to travel east and raise money to purchase the canvas. The tabernacle was to be erected "in front of , and joining the Temple on the west." It was to be about 250 feet long and 125 feet wide. It was designed to seat a congregation of eight to ten thousand persons for "preaching," while the temple was to be "used for the meeting of councils and quorums, and the administrations of ordinances and blessings, and preaching to smaller congregations."

Near his date Orson Hyde left for the East "to obtain cloth for the tabernacle" and Howard Eagan had earlier left for St Louis to purchase hemp for making ropes to hold the canvas up. [some minor corrections made]

[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]

180 years ago today - Jun 17, 1845

"While in this condition, Elder Phineas Richards, the father of Apostle F. D. Richards, assisted by other kind brethren, took me [Lorenzo Snow] from my bed, wrapped in a sheet - placed me in a carriage, drove to a stream of water, and baptized me in the name of the Lord, for my recovery. The fever immediately abated, and through kind, unwearied nursing and attention . . . I was delivered from suffering and restored to health."

[Eliza R. Snow writing as Lorenzo Snow in "Biography and Family Record of Lorenzo Snow" Salt Lake City: Deseret News Company, 1884, quoted in Stapley, Jonathan and Wright, Kristine, '"They Shall Be Made Whole": A History of Baptism for Health,' Journal of Mormon History, Fall 2008]

200 years ago today - Jun 17, 1825

The REPUBLICAN ADVOCATE of Batavia, New York publishes an article titled "GOLD:" "Gold is beaten into leaves upon a smooth block of marble. . . These pieces are then fitted into books. . . It was anciently the custom to beat gold into thin plates..."

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

20 years ago today - JUNE 16, 2005

An Arizona grand jury indicts Warren Jeffs on two counts of felony child sex abuse for his role in planning and performing the marriage of a 16-year-old girl to a man that was already married. He could face two years in jail. Jeffs also faces 2 civil suits in Utah, one from young men expelled from the church and another from a nephew who has accused him of sexual abuse.

Two U.S. courts determine he is trying to avoid being served with papers regarding two lawsuits against him and the United Effort Plan trust. One suit, launched last July by Brent Jeffs, alleges that Warren Jeffs, his uncle, began molesting him when he was five. Since Jeff fails to file a statement of defence, and the UEP trust also did not file a statement of defence, lawyers for Brent ask court to freeze the UEP trust.

Utah authorities seize FLDS's biggest asset the UEP trust, registered in that state. It controls ¾ of Bountiful's landall the farms, ranches, and homes. Utah officials remove the Board of Directors.

Warren Jeffs is on the run, authorities believe he may be in Canada.

[Gartner, Hana, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Timeline: History of Polygamy]

30 years ago today - Jun 16, 1995

International Olympic Committee in Budapest votes overwhelmingly for Salt Lake City as site of winter Olympics in year 2002. Utahns are divided about economic benefit/losses, and some Mormons have misgivings about long-term secularization of city that Olympics will cause. However, many see this as ideal opportunity to preach Mormonism directly and indirectly to tens of thousands of visitors in short time. LDS headquarters technically remains neutral about this "political matter" during five-year promotional effort. However, Salt Lake Olympic Bid Committee's legally required financial statement shows that during its final year of operation alone, committee received $100,000 from LDS church's "associated business" Intermountain Healthcare, and $100,000 from Deseret Foundation (Arm of LDS Hospital). Hospital subsequently denies that it is officially involved in transaction by which "anonymous" party channels donations through Deseret Foundation.

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

30 years ago today - Jun 16, 1995

The International Olympic Committee in Budapest votes overwhelmingly for Salt Lake City as the site of the winter Olympics in the year 2002. Utahns are divided about the economic benefits/losses, and some Mormons have misgivings about the long-term secularization of the city that the Olympics will cause. However, many see this as an ideal opportunity to preach Mormonism directly and indirectly to tens of thousands of visitors in a short time. LDS headquarters technically remains neutral about this "political matter" during the five-year promotional effort. However, the Salt Lake Olympic Bid Committee's legally required financial statement shows that during its final year of operation alone, the committee received $100,000 from the LDS church's "associated business" Intermountain Healthcare, and $100,000 from the Deseret Foundation (arm of the LDS Hospital). The hospital subsequently denies that it is officially involved in a transaction by which an "anonymous" party channels
donations through the Deseret Foundation.

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

40 years ago today - Jun 16, 1985

Joyce McKinney is arrested in Salt Lake City after Kirk Anderson informs police she has been shadowing him. She is charged with disturbing the peace and giving false information to police. Seven years earlier McKinney (one-time Miss Wyoming in the "Miss Universe" pageant and former BYU graduate student) became a fugitive from justice in Great Britain, where she stands accused of abducting then missionary Anderson, keeping him tied to a bed for three days, and raping him. She denied the charges at the time, saying Anderson went along with her willingly and had promised to marry her. In May of 1982 LDS Communications director Heber Wolsey referred to a positive effect of publicity surrounding the McKinney-Anderson case: "a lot of doors [were opened] to missionaries in England because of the publicity generated by the abduction of an elder by a young woman." Salt Lake City police reports show McKinney possessed numerous photographs of Anderson, had recorded his daily activities in a
notebook, and had mapped out his travels, pinpointing where Anderson lives with his wife and children. Years earlier Loren Pomeroy had given McKinney a priesthood blessing when she was distraught over being pregnant out of wedlock with what she claimed was Anderson's child

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

80 years ago today - Jun 16, 1945

[George Albert Smith]

Talked to Pres Clark & Nicholas [G. Smith?] about use of meeting houses for meetings to prevent Negroes from becoming neighbors. [Decided against allowing this]

[George Albert 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]

120 years ago today - Jun 16, 1905

Second blessings [anointings] are intended for those only who have borne the heat and burden of the day, and endured faithful to the end: and, as a general thing, they are administered only to people who have gathered with the body of the Church. And in recommending such people it is expected that their worthiness is personally known to the Stake President who recommends them. The case referred to in yours of the 12th inst. cannot for a moment be considered as eligible for these higher blessings.

[Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, and Anthon H. Lund to Stephen L. Chipman, June 16, 1905, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]

150 years ago today - Jun 16, 1875

[Wilford Woodruff]

I spent the day in the Endowment House. We gave Endowments Baptized 646. D H Wells sealed 62 Couple & W Woodruff 116 Couple for the dead the most I ever done in one day in my life. I was vary weary when I got through 178 Cealing.

[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 - Jun 16, 1850

At 4 oclock there was a trial before the High Council against several of the Utah people relative to a dissatisfaction which arose with the Committee sent there to trade with the Indians about 2 weeks since. They were "whipped & cleared"

[Diaries of Hosea Stout]

190 years ago today - Jun 16, 1835

Geauga County court acquits Joseph of charges brought by brother-in-law Calvin Stoddard that Joseph had deprived him of water rights. During trial Calvin calls Joseph a "damned false prophet," and Joseph knocks him down. Stoddard sues for assault.

[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]

90 years ago today - Jun 15, 1935

[David O. McKay]

During the last year particularly we have been more deeply impressed than ever with the need of Stake and Ward officers exercising more care and of giving deeper personal inquiry into the lives of those who are promoted in the Priesthood and to those who are recommended to go through the temple. That there is too much moral laxity in the Church today, as in the world generally, is apparent to anyone who will give the least thought to the matter. Unfortunately we have some psychologists in our leading institutions of learning and some teachers in our high schools who by their unwise instructions and sometimes by innuendoes and sneers lend encouragement to wilful youth to disregard the tried and proved laws of chastity and virtue.

There are three things which we can do'(1) raise the standard of parental instruction, and try to improve home conditions; (2) encourage more chaperonage of youth; (3) choose more competent Ward Teachers whose duty it is to 'watch over the Church always and to see that no iniquity exists.' &c.

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

130 years ago today - Saturday, Jun 15, 1895

[Franklin D. Richards]

At 7 am Sister Zina DH Young called and with Jane Emily & FSR spent about an hour listening to FSR explain to us the present political move of joining the ladies with the Gents in their societies, canvases, conventions for precinct, city, count & territorial work in nomination as well as in voting at elections.

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

165 years ago today - Jun 15, 1860

Albert Carrington read a letter from Sydney Rigdon to the President. The President remarked, Sydney is crazy'- The President remarked at Haun's Mill about 100 men ravished a young woman after tying her to a bench. They were part of a mob headed by Governor Boggs that was worse than whipping Henifer. I also Consider, observed the President, that the Troops are a mob of the United States, before our persecutions were from single states. -- 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]

175 years ago today - Jun 15, 1850

First issue of church's DESERET NEWS, which includes astrological almanacs. Willard Richards is the editor.

175 years ago today - Jun 15, 1850

Equipment arrived in 1849, and editor Willard Richards, not coincidentally a counselor to Brigham Young, produced the first number of the weekly Deseret News, Utah's first newspaper, on 15 June 1850 [containing astrological almanacs].

[Utah History Encyclopedia: Journalism, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]

180 years ago today - Jun 15, 1845

Sidney Rigdon publishes an editorial: "Nauvoo is a sink of corruption, Deception in its most forbidding forms, is resorted to by them, to make people think they are different from what they are in truth. They deny, or attempt to deny, the existence of the very doctrine on which they pretend that their exaltation depends. . . . A true saint would publish his faith to the world, though he would suffer death for it; and rejoice in the thought that he suffered death for Christ's sake. . . . Has it come to this, that men must lie, defame, and slander, in order to sustain the religion of Jesus Christ?"

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

185 years ago today - 1840: 15 June

[Patriarchal Blessing of Charlotte Haws]

.... I now seal thee against the destroyer and I seal thee up to Eternal life in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

[Patriarchal blessing of Charlotte Haws. Given by Joseph Smith, Sen., Haws Family Patriarchal Blessing Book," RLDS Archives.) [Age, 42; Scribe, Zenas W. Gurley, Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

185 years ago today - Jun 15, 1840

[Patriarchal Blessing of Abigail Haws]

... Thou hast had a desire to do good, and to serve God, but didst not know the way, and hast joined thyself to a harlot, but the Lord has now opened thy eyes, that thou canst see ... thou mayst tarry until the winding up scene and then be numbered with the hundred and forty and four thousand that stand upon Mount Zion; thou shalt have many blessings, that I cannot speak at this time; the lame shall leap as a hart, the blind shall see, the deaf hear, and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel through thy instrumentality; thou shalt be useful, and shalt bring in thy thousands, through thy ministry, and great things shall appear to thee, and marvelous things to be done at thy command, for thou art of the blood of Ephraim; thou art a pure Ephraimite, and thou shalt have power over sickness, and death, and the power of the Holy Ghost shall rest upon thee. If thou art faithful, not one of the least of these promises shall fail, for I seal them by the power of the Priesthood, by my
office in the name of Jesus Christ, and seal thee against the power of the destroyer, against the devil and all evil spirits, and every abomination and wickedness, and I seal thee up to Eternal life, in the Celestial Glory of God. Even so. Amen.

[Patriarchal Blessing of Abigail Haws given by Joseph Smith, Sr. on June 15, 1840]

105 years ago today - Jun 14, 1920

Apostle Reed Smoot turns down an offer to be the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury in President Warren G. Harding's cabinet: "I would prefer to remain in the Senate."

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

125 years ago today - Jun 14, 1900

First Presidency and apostles agree to give $3,600 to Brigham Y. Hampton for his prior "detective work" in which he paid prostitute to allow him and nearly thirty LDS "Home Missionaries" and policemen to spy on anti-Mormons engaging in sex acts in Salt Lake City brothels in 1885. Although first counselor denies it at this meeting, in private meetings of First Presidency George Q. Cannon refers to Hampton's brothel work as "services rendered the Church" and "work in behalf of the Church." Hampton has been set apart as a Salt Lake temple worker since 1893, and another coordinator of brothel spying is the temple doorkeeper (1893-1910).

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

125 years ago today - Jun 14, 1900

The First Presidency and apostles agree to give $3,600 to Brigham Y. Hampton for his prior "detective work" in which he paid prostitutes to allow him and nearly thirty LDS "Home Missionaries" and policemen to spy on anti-Mormons engaging in sex acts in the Salt Lake City brothel in 1885. Although the first counselor denies it at this meeting, in private meetings of the First Presidency, George Q. Cannon refers to Hampton's brothel work as "services rendered the Church" and "work in behalf of the Church." Hampton has been set apart as a Salt Lake temple worker since 1893, and another coordinator of brothel-spying is the temple doorkeeper (1893-1910).

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

130 years ago today - Jun 14, 1895

[Apostle Francis M. Lyman]

[Tooele] At 10:30 P.M. met with a woman suffrage meeting in meeting and occupied considerable time exploding the argument against the question.

[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

140 years ago today - Jun 14, 1885

[Wilford Woodruff]

.... E Snow who spoke 40 minuts and gave a history of Judge Zane's desision in A.M. Cannons Case and represented that a Gentile was brought up for seducing a girl while He had a wife But the Judge ruled that the Law was not meant for Gentiles & nobody Els but the Mormons. The gentile foots must be kept out of the trap & the Mormon foot kept in.

... Also Brother Harriman wanted me to Ordain him the Senior President of the 7 Presidet of the Seventies. I laid my Hands upon Henry Harriman & ordained him the senior President of the first Seven Presidts of the seventies. That is I Confirmed this Ordination upon his Head. He had been holding the office for many years. ...

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

145 years ago today - Jun 14, 1880

[Wilford Woodruff]

June 14, 1880 What strange things one will dream when asleep. I dreamed this morning that Queen Victoria had received the gospel and Been Baptized. She appeared vary humble, none of which is likely to happen in this world. I also thought of Prince Albert. Is Richard or Robert Connected with his Name? <I dreamed that Queen Victoria was sealed to me and she bid me an [-] thanks. This is not likely to happen.>

[Note angled brackets <> are in code - shorthand]

[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 - 1845 14 Jun.

"i cant support the twelve as the first presidency," George J. Adams writes. "i cant do it when I know that it belongs to Josephs Son--Young Joseph who was ordained by his father before his Death." In May Adams had organized a church with Joseph Smith III as the intended president and himself as spokesman.

[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]

185 years ago today - Jun 14, 1840. Sunday.

[William Clayton]

In the P.M. Sister Pool spake in tongues then Rich[ard] Hardman James Mahon Sister Heath. We confirmed 4. Christiana Crooks and Jemima Whittaker spake in tongues.

[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]

185 years ago today - Jun 14, 1840

Wilford Woodruff attends a meeting at the Gadfield Elm Chapel of the United Brethren, where they unanimously pass a resolution that henceforth they will be known as the Brand Green and Gadfield Elm Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Woodruff remains in this area until August, by which time he will have converted approximately 800 members.

[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]

145 years ago today - Jun 13, 1880

Apostle Orson Pratt preaches: "There are some, however, so foolish in their ideas that they suppose that it does not require time for the Almighty to go from world to world, or for any celestial messenger to do so. But this is a grand mistake. Time is included in all motion. Time is included between the event of a heavenly being leaving the celestial abode, where he dwells, and going to some other abode at a distance."

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

185 years ago today - Jun 13, 1840. Saturday.

About 2 o'clock this A.M. Elizabeth Crooks began in her sleep to sing in tongues. She spake and sung in about 7 languages occupying about 2 hours. During the day Betsy Pool got the gift of tongues.

[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]

195 years ago today - Circa 13-Jun 25, 1830

Joseph Smith begins his revision of Genesis, dictating to Oliver Cowdery the text of Moses 1:1-5:23a. The heading of the first chapter reads: "A Revelation given to Joseph the Revelator June 1830."

[Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]

125 years ago today - Jun 12, 1900

[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill]

Brought my wife Maria and daughter Lenora Eveline to be baptized for the cure of her eye, which has been afflicted all winter.

[Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

135 years ago today - Jun 12, 1890

Secretary of state James G. Blaine gives a paper to First Counselor George Q. Cannon who was visiting in Washington, D.C., for the "leading authorities of the church to sign in which they make a virtual renunciation of plural marriage." Cannon's son Abraham said that his "feelings revolt at signing such a document."

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

165 years ago today - Jun 12, 1860

[Heber C. Kimball]

/ We often sing, "This earth was once a garden place," where God our Father dwelt, and took possession and a stand that mankind will take who attain to that honour. . . . When he (Adam) planted the garden, he planted it with seeds he brought with him; and he also brought the animals from the earth he lived upon, where his Father dwelt.

[J. D. 8:243-244]

165 years ago today - Jun 12, 1860

President Young told the following drem which he had last night. He said I dreamed that I was in a room with Phineas Young and I saw a smooth faced young man setting beside him. I asked Phineas who it was. He replyed this is the saviour. (I did not believe it.) I smiled and said I wonder if he is the saviour. Phineas said he was. I then asked the person if he was the Savior. He said he was. I asked him if [so] how long have you been here? He said 14 days. I said have you a wife? He said yes this is my wife pointing to a woman dressed in black with a thick dark veil over her face. Said this is my wife. I thought it a funny idea. I felt that I wanted to prove him. Soon the woman vanished and he turned into a woman himself. Then I awoke and the thought Came to me that it was a representation of young Joseph & Emma Smith who had undertook to Esstablished a Church but it was upon fals ground & principles in oposition to the true Church of Christ. I was satisfied he was not the saviour.

[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 - Jun 12, 1860

J. D. 8:243-244; President Heber C. Kimball delivered at Willow Creek; June 12, 1860.

We often sing, "This earth was once a garden place," where God our Father dwelt, and took possession and a stand that mankind will take who attain to that honour. . . . When he (Adam) planted the garden, he planted it with seeds he brought with him; and he also brought the animals from the earth he lived upon, where his Father dwelt.

[Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthly Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]

180 years ago today - Jun 12, 1845

[Wilford Woodruff]

I returned to Brother Booths & took tea. ... several uneasy spirits showed themselves I addressed the Saints for a few moments in the power of God & the Priesthood & rebuked those who would not harken to Council.

[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 - Thursday, June 12th, 1845

[John Taylor]

This day [Thursday] was appointed for a fast day. I had went with some others security for the payment of damage sustained by the Expositor; and to avoid being entangled in the law at the present time, I had to hide up and not be present at the fast meeting; they having acted dishonorably I thought it best to let it lie over, for some other Court, where we would have justice done us.

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

185 years ago today - Jun 12, 1840. Friday.

At Council meeting a number of the saints attended. Brother Green almost got the gift of tongues. Brother Young spake in tongues.

[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]

195 years ago today - Jun 12, 1830

The Palmyra Reflector prints a satire of the Book of Mormon entitled "The Book of Pukei". It refers to "Walters the Magician" (Luman Walter). The "idle and slothful" send for "Walters", who "has strange books, and deals with familiar spirits", in the hope that he would lead them to Nephite treasure. "Walters" led them to a dark grove in Manchester, where he drew a magic circle with a rusty sword, sacrificed a chicken, and allowed his party to commence digging over several nights. However, their excavation was unsuccessful. When the party tires and suspects deception, "Walters" flees with his book, rusty sword, and stuffed Toad back to Great Sodus Bay (near Luman Walter's home), "where he holds communion with the Devil, even to this day." However, "his mantle fell upon the prophet Jo. Smith Jun.", who "made a league with the spirit, who afterwards turned out to be an angel."

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

110 years ago today - Jun 11, 1915

[George F. Gibbs]

Yours April 20 to President Richard W. Young of the Ensign Stake was referred by him to the First Presidency, in which you state that Gottlieb Wuethrich, who was excommunicated for participating in taking interior views of the temple by stealth for public purposes, had sought to regain his standing in the Church by baptism.

The presidency endorse the position taken by you in regard to this matter, in effect, that the nature of the offense was so grave that no particular rush need be indulged in to extend to him our fellowship; and that it will be in order for him to manifest to the fullest extent the fruits of repentance. And it is understood of course that nothing shall hereafter be done in his case by way of permitting him to regain his standing in the Church without the written authority of the presidency.

[George F. Gibbs, Letter to H. W. Valentine, Basel, Switzerland, 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]

120 years ago today - Sunday, Jun 11, 1905

[John Henry Smith]

Moroni, Sanpete County

We drove to Moroni and President Anthon H. Lund dedicated the new Relief Society Hall and also a Prayer Circle Room and organized a Prayer Circle.

We both spoke. The house is very nice and Cost $3,500.00.

[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]

160 years ago today - Jun 11, 1865

Schuyler Colfax, a representative from Indiana and the speaker of the House (later to become the vice president of the United States), and J.M. Ashley, chairman of the House Committee on Territories, arrive in Salt Lake City on a fact-finding mission for the U.S. government. They are to obtain information on the Saints' practice of plural marriage and the Church's attitude toward the federal government.