[David O. McKay]
At 3 p.m. Pres. Smith, Pres. Clark, and I met with Ernest L. Wilkinson on the proposition of his being appointed president of the Brigham Young Univ. There is no doubt but that Ernest Wilkinson has the right viewpoint of the mission of the Brigham Young University, especially with regard to its mission and the preaching of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. He senses clearly the fact that every department in the school should, as he stated, "be impregnated" with the spirit of the gospel, and that the teachings of the principles of the gospel should not be confined to a Theological Department with other departments feeling that they are estranged therefor. Brother Wilkinson is a clear thinker; he makes no pretense to having had any experience in school management; he possesses outstanding ability, which I believe he can direct towards a good organization. On the whole I was favorably impressed with him and earnestly hope and pray that he will succeed.
[McKay, David O., Office Journal]
Today In Mormon History-fb
Several curious tidbits that happened on this day in Mormon History
85 years ago today - Jul 25, 1940
[Heber J. Grant]
We met Reed Smoot and his wife ... Reed is so thoroughly forgotten now. It is a case of 'gratitude is a lively sense of favors to come.' When Reed was a Senator working for everyone he was one of the most popular Senators in the United States. Today there is very little attention given to him.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
We met Reed Smoot and his wife ... Reed is so thoroughly forgotten now. It is a case of 'gratitude is a lively sense of favors to come.' When Reed was a Senator working for everyone he was one of the most popular Senators in the United States. Today there is very little attention given to him.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
100 years ago today - Jul 25, 1925
[Heber J. Grant presidency]
.... Whenever possible brethren should be ordained Elders before coming to the temple for endowments. ... Sisters married to non-members should not be recommended to the temple to receive endowments. ...
[Heber J. Grant, Anthony W. Ivins, and Charles W. Nibley to B. H. Roberts, July 25, 1925, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
.... Whenever possible brethren should be ordained Elders before coming to the temple for endowments. ... Sisters married to non-members should not be recommended to the temple to receive endowments. ...
[Heber J. Grant, Anthony W. Ivins, and Charles W. Nibley to B. H. Roberts, July 25, 1925, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
155 years ago today - Jul 25, 1870
[Brigham Young]
While I am making my remarks I sincerely request the attention of the congregation; I desire them to keep silence, let there be no whispering, nor talking to each other, nor moving of feet; and if the babies can outnoise me, why it will be because my lungs have grown weak. ... . While on our way to the Missouri river some kind of a spirit; whether it was intuitive knowledge, prescience or promptness of intellect, no matter. Something told me, that the government of the United States would make a demand on the camp of Israel for troops to go into the Mexican war. If the God of Heaven did not reveal it to me I should like to know who did. ... if the Government of the United States hunt us here and afflict our families while we are gone to find an asylum for them, I will hunt them all the rest of my life, so help me God.'" (Applause.) ... [The Mormon Battalion] fought no battles in all their career. But they were the first ones that ever raised the American flag on Mexican territory
and preserved it there. (Applause.) ... I will say right here that of all men who ever did live upon the earth lawyers are the worst. Doctors and priests are bad enough, but lawyers will ruin everybody and send all to hell. They are the worst and the most unfit for human society of any beings that live... could we not live as other men do? Is it not my privilege to lead about a wife or a sister, a neighbor's wife or any female as much as any other man's? Certainly; but when I do it, I do it legally and lawfully, not clandestinely. This is the curse that is upon this nation, and one of the greatest curses in the sight of heaven and justice that now rests on the United States. It is their abuse of females; millions of them are wasted. According to their own showing thousands of females have perished in the streets of New York since we have been in these valleys, proba- bly double and almost treble the entire number of females we have in this Territory...
[Manuscript Addresses of Brigham Young. 7 Vols. Elden J. Watson, ed. Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1979-84. 6:30-35, 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]
While I am making my remarks I sincerely request the attention of the congregation; I desire them to keep silence, let there be no whispering, nor talking to each other, nor moving of feet; and if the babies can outnoise me, why it will be because my lungs have grown weak. ... . While on our way to the Missouri river some kind of a spirit; whether it was intuitive knowledge, prescience or promptness of intellect, no matter. Something told me, that the government of the United States would make a demand on the camp of Israel for troops to go into the Mexican war. If the God of Heaven did not reveal it to me I should like to know who did. ... if the Government of the United States hunt us here and afflict our families while we are gone to find an asylum for them, I will hunt them all the rest of my life, so help me God.'" (Applause.) ... [The Mormon Battalion] fought no battles in all their career. But they were the first ones that ever raised the American flag on Mexican territory
and preserved it there. (Applause.) ... I will say right here that of all men who ever did live upon the earth lawyers are the worst. Doctors and priests are bad enough, but lawyers will ruin everybody and send all to hell. They are the worst and the most unfit for human society of any beings that live... could we not live as other men do? Is it not my privilege to lead about a wife or a sister, a neighbor's wife or any female as much as any other man's? Certainly; but when I do it, I do it legally and lawfully, not clandestinely. This is the curse that is upon this nation, and one of the greatest curses in the sight of heaven and justice that now rests on the United States. It is their abuse of females; millions of them are wasted. According to their own showing thousands of females have perished in the streets of New York since we have been in these valleys, proba- bly double and almost treble the entire number of females we have in this Territory...
[Manuscript Addresses of Brigham Young. 7 Vols. Elden J. Watson, ed. Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1979-84. 6:30-35, 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]
165 years ago today - Jul 25, 1860
One of Presidents Youngs waggons was turned over into the Big Cotton wood. It turned twice over with two women & several Children. One woman was hurt in the sholder. One Child Came near drowning.
[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]
180 years ago today - Jul 25, 1845
[Patriarchal Blessings]
Patriarchal Blessing of Vienna Jacques Shearer Smith(?) given by William Smith ... in peace thou shalt sit down in Zion & walk her streets unmolested and with Joseph[']s remnants thy Salvation shall be greatly extolled for as one of the seed of Joseph thou shall be numbered with the 144,000 partaking of the power and glory of the Priesthood of those who are called the honored ones of the earth ... & thy Soul shall enter into perfect rest and with loud Hossannas [Hosannas] to God & the Lamb exclaim it is enough my Soul is full and thou shalt be rewarded and thy reward is great and all thy past afflictions and scenes of sorrow and grief shall be forgotten ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
Patriarchal Blessing of Vienna Jacques Shearer Smith(?) given by William Smith ... in peace thou shalt sit down in Zion & walk her streets unmolested and with Joseph[']s remnants thy Salvation shall be greatly extolled for as one of the seed of Joseph thou shall be numbered with the 144,000 partaking of the power and glory of the Priesthood of those who are called the honored ones of the earth ... & thy Soul shall enter into perfect rest and with loud Hossannas [Hosannas] to God & the Lamb exclaim it is enough my Soul is full and thou shalt be rewarded and thy reward is great and all thy past afflictions and scenes of sorrow and grief shall be forgotten ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - Jul 25, 1845
July 25 1845 Friday Joseph Woodruffs [b.18 Jul 1845 - d.12 Nov 1846] Blessing received under the Hands of his Father Wilford Woodruff ... I seal thee against the power of Death sickness & the destroyer untill thy work is finished ... Thou shalt lay thy hands upon the heads of thy Father and Mother in their old age and bless them & thou shalt be a Comfort unto them. Thou shalt be Baptized the day thou art eight years of age ...
I ordain the to be a High Priest after the order of Melchisedic ... when thou shalt arive to years of accountability & discretion thou shalt have power to administer in the ordinances thereof..
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I ordain the to be a High Priest after the order of Melchisedic ... when thou shalt arive to years of accountability & discretion thou shalt have power to administer in the ordinances thereof..
[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 25, 1840
A Dr. John C. Bennett writes to the Saints stating his intention to move to Nauvoo and join the Saints. He will later become an influential member of the Church. He has the reputation of being both a genius and an imposter. In addition to being a professor, a preacher, a doctor, and a military leader, he is also claimed to be an abortionist, a wife deserter, and a traitor. When he gains Joseph's confidence, he helps draft the Nauvoo charter and push its passage through legislature, shows him how to drain the Nauvoo swamps, and administers quinine to the sick of Nauvoo, thus saving many lives. He later writes one of the most famous exposes against the Saints. In writing to Joseph a second time he states that "wealth is no material object with me. I desire to be happy."
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology; History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 4:169-70.]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology; History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 4:169-70.]
190 years ago today - Late July, 1835
[Joseph Smith]
"The remainder of this month, I was continually engaged in translating an alphabet of the Book of Abraham, and arranging a grammar of the Egyptian language as practiced by the ancients."
[Joseph Smith's Diary Statements Regarding Translation of His Egyptian Papyri and the Book of Abraham, Instutite for Religious Research]
"The remainder of this month, I was continually engaged in translating an alphabet of the Book of Abraham, and arranging a grammar of the Egyptian language as practiced by the ancients."
[Joseph Smith's Diary Statements Regarding Translation of His Egyptian Papyri and the Book of Abraham, Instutite for Religious Research]
195 years ago today - Jul 25, 1830
Joseph Smith receives a revelation instructing missionaries to curse those who will not listen to them: "And in whatsoever place ye shall enter, and they receive you not, in my name, ye shall leave a cursing instead of a blessing, by casting off the dust of your feet against them as a testimony, and cleansing your feet by the wayside"
[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 24, 1975
President Spencer W. Kimball dedicates the new twenty-eight-story Church Office Building in Salt Lake City, Utah.
55 years ago today - Jul 24, 1970
LDS headquarters invites only prominent Republicans to Salt Lake City airport to greet U.S. president Richard M. Nixon who has asked to meet with First Presidency. This excludes Utah's Democratic governor Calvin M. Rampton who "almost had to force his way into the receiving line." First Presidency secretary Francis M. Gibbons latter acknowledges that this is "a snafu in protocol." DESERET NEWS reports that Nixon addresses crowd of 15,000 from steps of Church Office Building at 47 East South Temple Street, but Nixons cancel their scheduled tour of Temple Square because of what Utah's Congressional representative Laurence J. Burton describes as "stupid, crazy, threatening" posters of "dissident groups." Presidency secretary Gibbons later describes these as "militant blacks" and antiwar protesters.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
55 years ago today - Jul 24, 1970
The LDS headquarters invites only prominent Republicans to the Salt Lake City airport to greet U.S. president Richard M. Nixon who has asked to meet with the First Presidency. This excludes Utah's Democratic governor Calvin M. Rampton who "almost had to force his way into the receiving line." First Presidency secretary Francis M. Gibbons later acknowledges that this is "a snafu in protocol." The Deseret News reports that Nixon addresses a crowd of 15,000 from the steps of the Church Office Building at 47 East South Temple Street, but the Nixons cancel their scheduled tour of Temple Square because of what Utah's Congressional representative Laurence J. Burton describes as "stupid, crazy, threatening" posters of "dissident groups." Presidency secretary Gibbons later describes these as "militant blacks" and antiwar protestors.
[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 - Tuesday, Jul 24, 1900
[Rudger Clawson]
Pioneer Day. The ceremonies connected with the unveiling of the Brigham Young Statue at the head of Main Street took place at 10 a.m. The statue and pedestal were draped with American flags and a platform was built around them for the accommodation of the speakers and prominent people. ...
I have often said that if I were a wealthy man, I would set aside a portion of my means to be used in the temple for the salvation of the dead. There are many good people in the church who can be employed to work for the dead, and I have ascertained that it will cost from 75c to $1.00 for each dead person who is baptized for and endowed, which work, if accepted by them, means salvation to their souls; and Pres. Lorenzo Snow says that in nine cases out of ten the work will be accepted, so that, it might be said, there is very little risk connected with an investment of this kind.... Now, I am not a man of means, but to show forth the sincerity of my desire, I have decided to set aside a small part of my monthly income for the purpose above explained and shall start the fund with $4.00. I hope in the future to accomplish much good, under the blessing of the Lord, from this very small beginning.
[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]
Pioneer Day. The ceremonies connected with the unveiling of the Brigham Young Statue at the head of Main Street took place at 10 a.m. The statue and pedestal were draped with American flags and a platform was built around them for the accommodation of the speakers and prominent people. ...
I have often said that if I were a wealthy man, I would set aside a portion of my means to be used in the temple for the salvation of the dead. There are many good people in the church who can be employed to work for the dead, and I have ascertained that it will cost from 75c to $1.00 for each dead person who is baptized for and endowed, which work, if accepted by them, means salvation to their souls; and Pres. Lorenzo Snow says that in nine cases out of ten the work will be accepted, so that, it might be said, there is very little risk connected with an investment of this kind.... Now, I am not a man of means, but to show forth the sincerity of my desire, I have decided to set aside a small part of my monthly income for the purpose above explained and shall start the fund with $4.00. I hope in the future to accomplish much good, under the blessing of the Lord, from this very small beginning.
[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]
140 years ago today - Jul 24, 1885
[Wilford Woodruff]
This is the Aniversary of the Arival of the Pioneers into Salt Lake Valley. I Carried President Brigham Young in my Carriag through Emigration Canyon into the valley of the Great Salt Lake 38 years ago this day. And this is the day Appointed By the Presidet of the United States, The General of the Armey, & Gov Murry to send An Armey unto Salt Lake to Destroy the Mormons if they Put the flag at half mast. And yet in the Providence of God President Clearland was under the necessity of Commanding all the People of the United States to place the flag at half mast on that particular day and Gov Murry Commanded the People of Salt [Lake City] to do the same for Gen [Ulysses] Grant was Dead [had died the day before] and the Lord had prepared him as a scape Goat to bear of the Sins of the Mormons.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
This is the Aniversary of the Arival of the Pioneers into Salt Lake Valley. I Carried President Brigham Young in my Carriag through Emigration Canyon into the valley of the Great Salt Lake 38 years ago this day. And this is the day Appointed By the Presidet of the United States, The General of the Armey, & Gov Murry to send An Armey unto Salt Lake to Destroy the Mormons if they Put the flag at half mast. And yet in the Providence of God President Clearland was under the necessity of Commanding all the People of the United States to place the flag at half mast on that particular day and Gov Murry Commanded the People of Salt [Lake City] to do the same for Gen [Ulysses] Grant was Dead [had died the day before] and the Lord had prepared him as a scape Goat to bear of the Sins of the Mormons.
[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 - Jul 24, 1870
[Brigham Young]
It has been observed here this morning that we are called fanatics. Bless me! That is nothing. Who has not been called a fanatic who has discovered anything new in philosophy or science? We have all read of Galileo the astronomer who, contrary to the system of astronomy that had been received for ages before his day, taught that the sun, and not the earth, was the centre of our planetary system? For this the learned astronomer was called "fanatic," and subjected to persecution and imprisonment of the most rigorous character. So it has been with others who have discovered and explained new truths in science and philosophy which have been in opposition to long-established theories; and the opposition they have encountered has endured until the truth of their discoveries has been demonstrated by time. The term "fanatic" is not applied to professors of religion only...I will tell you who the real fanatics are: they are they who adopt false principles and ideas as facts, and
... Who can tell us of the inhabitants of this little planet that shines of an evening, called the moon? When we view its face we may see what is termed '"the man in the moon,'" and what some philosophers declare are the shadows of mountains. But these sayings are very vague, and amount to nothing; and when you inquire about the inhabitants of that sphere you find that the most learned are as ignorant in regard to them as the most ignorant of their fellows. So it is with regard to the inhabitants of the sun. Do you think it is inhabited? I rather think it is. Do you think there is any life there? No question of it; it was not made in vain. It was made to give light to those who dwell upon it, and to other planets; and so will this earth when it is celestialized. Every planet in its first rude, organic state receives not the glory of God upon it, but is opaque; but when celestialized, every planet that God brings into existence is a body of light, but not till then. ...
[Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 13:267-274, 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]
It has been observed here this morning that we are called fanatics. Bless me! That is nothing. Who has not been called a fanatic who has discovered anything new in philosophy or science? We have all read of Galileo the astronomer who, contrary to the system of astronomy that had been received for ages before his day, taught that the sun, and not the earth, was the centre of our planetary system? For this the learned astronomer was called "fanatic," and subjected to persecution and imprisonment of the most rigorous character. So it has been with others who have discovered and explained new truths in science and philosophy which have been in opposition to long-established theories; and the opposition they have encountered has endured until the truth of their discoveries has been demonstrated by time. The term "fanatic" is not applied to professors of religion only...I will tell you who the real fanatics are: they are they who adopt false principles and ideas as facts, and
... Who can tell us of the inhabitants of this little planet that shines of an evening, called the moon? When we view its face we may see what is termed '"the man in the moon,'" and what some philosophers declare are the shadows of mountains. But these sayings are very vague, and amount to nothing; and when you inquire about the inhabitants of that sphere you find that the most learned are as ignorant in regard to them as the most ignorant of their fellows. So it is with regard to the inhabitants of the sun. Do you think it is inhabited? I rather think it is. Do you think there is any life there? No question of it; it was not made in vain. It was made to give light to those who dwell upon it, and to other planets; and so will this earth when it is celestialized. Every planet in its first rude, organic state receives not the glory of God upon it, but is opaque; but when celestialized, every planet that God brings into existence is a body of light, but not till then. ...
[Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 13:267-274, 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 24, 1855
[Wilford Woodruff]
On the 24 & 25 of July I attended the Polosophical society in the social Hall & Herd till midnight the most thrilling soul stiring speeches, essays, Addresses, songs, music &c &c that I ever herd. It was truly interesting to enjoy such a feast of the production of the strongest talent in the world. We also was addressed on saturday evening at the Universal Scientific Society by [ ] On the subject of Phrenology followed by O. Pratt & W Woodruff.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
On the 24 & 25 of July I attended the Polosophical society in the social Hall & Herd till midnight the most thrilling soul stiring speeches, essays, Addresses, songs, music &c &c that I ever herd. It was truly interesting to enjoy such a feast of the production of the strongest talent in the world. We also was addressed on saturday evening at the Universal Scientific Society by [ ] On the subject of Phrenology followed by O. Pratt & W Woodruff.
[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 - Jul 24, 1845
Thursday, "the Holly order" met at 4 p.m. at Willard Richards's "office" , and "the Quorum agreed to take no more snuff & tobacco for 6 weeks" .
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
50 years ago today - Jul 23, 1975
First Presidency circular letter authorizes stake presidents to ordain bishops. Previously this was restricted to general authorities.
[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 23, 1975
A First Presidency circular letter authorizes stake presidents to ordain bishops. Previously this was restricted to general authorities.
[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 )]]
150 years ago today - Jul 23, 1875
[Mountain Meadows]
The trial of John Lee opens in the courtroom of Judge Jacob Boreman. Payment for Lee's defense is arranged by Brigham Young. The prosecution's star witness is Philip Klingensmith.
[Linder, Douglas, The Mountain Meadows Massacre Trials, http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTRIALS/mountainmeadows/leechrono.html]
The trial of John Lee opens in the courtroom of Judge Jacob Boreman. Payment for Lee's defense is arranged by Brigham Young. The prosecution's star witness is Philip Klingensmith.
[Linder, Douglas, The Mountain Meadows Massacre Trials, http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTRIALS/mountainmeadows/leechrono.html]
155 years ago today - Jul 23, 1870
[Brigham Young]
There never was an earth without an Adam. There never was a time when earths were not coming into existence and going out. There never was a time when there was no Savior upon an earth, but man in his finite being cannot comprehend eternity. God the Father came and begotten a Son of the Virgin Mary, just the same as we beget out children; and consequently Jesus partook of his fathers divine nature, and was therefore competent in offering a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice. -- Salt Lake City
[Leonard J. Arrington Papers, 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]
There never was an earth without an Adam. There never was a time when earths were not coming into existence and going out. There never was a time when there was no Savior upon an earth, but man in his finite being cannot comprehend eternity. God the Father came and begotten a Son of the Virgin Mary, just the same as we beget out children; and consequently Jesus partook of his fathers divine nature, and was therefore competent in offering a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice. -- Salt Lake City
[Leonard J. Arrington Papers, 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]
160 years ago today - Jul 23, 1865
The First Presidency and Twelve issue a statement condemning Biographical Sketches "for its inaccuracy."
[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]
170 years ago today - Jul 23, 1855
The foundation of the Salt Lake Temple was finished.
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
190 years ago today - Jul 23, 1835
[Wilford Woodruff]
Rode in company for the last time with Elder Warren Parrish to the mouth of Sandy. ... The time had now arived however painful it might be for me [to] take the parting hand with Br PARRISH. I Know not that we shall ever meet again untill we meet in Eternity. May the blessings of God crown his days & prepare him for the Celestial Kingdom. O worthy Brother farewell but not forever.
I am now left alone without human aid to asist me in preaching the gospel. My circuit is about 100 miles in extent besides the care of all the Churches within the limits of the same. Who is weack & I not weack? Who is offended & I burn not? O may the LORD give me strength as my day & many souls as seals of my ministry. O GOD prepare me for the battle.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Rode in company for the last time with Elder Warren Parrish to the mouth of Sandy. ... The time had now arived however painful it might be for me [to] take the parting hand with Br PARRISH. I Know not that we shall ever meet again untill we meet in Eternity. May the blessings of God crown his days & prepare him for the Celestial Kingdom. O worthy Brother farewell but not forever.
I am now left alone without human aid to asist me in preaching the gospel. My circuit is about 100 miles in extent besides the care of all the Churches within the limits of the same. Who is weack & I not weack? Who is offended & I burn not? O may the LORD give me strength as my day & many souls as seals of my ministry. O GOD prepare me for the battle.
[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 22, 1950
[Marion G. Romney]
Brothers Harold B. Lee, Henry D. Moyle and I spent the day in Grantsville with President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., going over welfare problems. It was decided we should survey the Church to determine how many welfare recipients there are in the Church, and to determine their classification, the aim being to cut down the budget. Brother Clark's feeling is that for those we must take care of permanently , we should supply a rounded-out living, but for those who come and go we should give them some help in staple items.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015, Appendix 2, The Diaries of Marion G. Romney, 1941-1961, Abridged]
Brothers Harold B. Lee, Henry D. Moyle and I spent the day in Grantsville with President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., going over welfare problems. It was decided we should survey the Church to determine how many welfare recipients there are in the Church, and to determine their classification, the aim being to cut down the budget. Brother Clark's feeling is that for those we must take care of permanently , we should supply a rounded-out living, but for those who come and go we should give them some help in staple items.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015, Appendix 2, The Diaries of Marion G. Romney, 1941-1961, Abridged]
150 years ago today - Jul 22, 1875 (Thursday)
The trial of John D. Lee, indicted for murder, was commenced at Beaver.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
165 years ago today - Jul 22, 1860 (Sunday)
Smithfield, Cache Co., was attacked by Indians. A fight ensued; John Reed and Ira Merrill and two Indians were killed, and several others wounded on both sides.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
175 years ago today - Jul 22, 1850
[Hosea Stout]
Attended Court Before Esqr Farr First case at 9 a. m. State vs Wm Maykin upon the complaint of J. C. Dill for stealing two of his horses in Echo creek Cañon. The Defendand was convicted & sentenced to 2 years hard labor.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Attended Court Before Esqr Farr First case at 9 a. m. State vs Wm Maykin upon the complaint of J. C. Dill for stealing two of his horses in Echo creek Cañon. The Defendand was convicted & sentenced to 2 years hard labor.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
65 years ago today - Jul 21, 1960
First Presidency issues statement allowing young men to serve missions at age 19, even though they had not met educational and military qualifications previously required.
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
90 years ago today - Jul 21, 1935
President Heber J. Grant dedicated the Hill Cumorah Monument near Palmyra, N.Y.
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
100 years ago today - Jul 21, 1925
The infamous "Monkey Trial" ended and John Scopes was found guilty of teaching Darwinism.
[Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline]
[Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline]
115 years ago today - Jul 21, 1910 (Thursday)
Pres. Rudger Clawson and other Elders were arrested in Berlin, Germany, and spent the following night in jail.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
115 years ago today - Jul 21, 1910; Thursday
I learned today from Brother Ezra C. Dalby of Rexburg, Idaho, that Brother Josiah E. Hickman, of Beaver [Utah], and principal of the church school there had been excommunicated from the church for violating the instructions of the authorities of the church in relation to plural marriage. I am very sorry, because I look upon Brother Hickman as a very sincere and good man, who may have become over zealous. There are several others also implicated in the same conditions there, (apparently through the influence of Brother Hickman) who have been investigated by the authorities and handled. I do not know the extent of the investigation in their cases.
While I believe in the principle of plural marriage, I do not think we are under any obligations to violate the instructions of the President of the church in the matter. He has said there shall be no more such marriages performed in the church, and that those who go into that order of marriage now will be handled on their fellowship.
[James D. Cummings, Diary]
While I believe in the principle of plural marriage, I do not think we are under any obligations to violate the instructions of the President of the church in the matter. He has said there shall be no more such marriages performed in the church, and that those who go into that order of marriage now will be handled on their fellowship.
[James D. Cummings, Diary]
125 years ago today - July 21st 1900.
.... Bro. Cluff here to get supplies for his S.[outh] A.[merica] Expedition ...The idea had been conveyed that this was a Church expedition. Read letter of instruction from Pres. Snow...that it was the unanimous opinion the the Pres. & Apostles that the expedition disband, but if reasons exist which we do not know that a part of the expedition proceed. Cluff must assume the entire responsibility....
Bro. Cluff spoke. Said he greatly desired to go forward. If he returned now the expedition would be a failure & his reputation was worth more to him than his life. He would rather fail on the Isthmus or on the banks of the Magdelena River than turn back now. He did not desire to go forward, however, unless he could do so with the blessings of the Lord....
Pres. Smith made remarks. Bore strong testimony that the work of the Lord would spread till the L. D. S. would control in this land, (&) U. S....
[Diary Excerpts of Anthony W. Ivins, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Bro. Cluff spoke. Said he greatly desired to go forward. If he returned now the expedition would be a failure & his reputation was worth more to him than his life. He would rather fail on the Isthmus or on the banks of the Magdelena River than turn back now. He did not desire to go forward, however, unless he could do so with the blessings of the Lord....
Pres. Smith made remarks. Bore strong testimony that the work of the Lord would spread till the L. D. S. would control in this land, (&) U. S....
[Diary Excerpts of Anthony W. Ivins, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
130 years ago today - Jul 21, 1895
[Francis M. Lyman]
[Parowan] I spoke for an hour and 50 minutes upon statehood and woman, or equal suffrage. I had fair liberty but the pitch of my voice was too high. I have never had better liberty in speaking on the subject.
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Parowan] I spoke for an hour and 50 minutes upon statehood and woman, or equal suffrage. I had fair liberty but the pitch of my voice was too high. I have never had better liberty in speaking on the subject.
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
150 years ago today - Jul 21, 1875
LDS political newspaper SALT LAKE HERALD publishes John D. Lee's "confession" that "all who participated in the lamentable transaction, or most of them, were acting under orders that they considered it their duty-their religious duty-to obey." Lee says that when informed of Mountain Meadows Massacre, Brigham Young "wept like a child, walked the floor and wrung his hands in bitter anguish."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
150 years ago today - Jul 21, 1875
LDS political Newspaper, the Salt Lake Herald, publishes John D. Lee's "confession" that "all who participated in the lamentable transaction, or most of them, were acting under orders that they considered it their duty--their religious duty--to obey." Lee says that when informed of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, Brigham Young "wept like a child, walked the floor and wrung his hands in bitter anguish."
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
175 years ago today - Jul 21, 1850
[Brigham Young]
I asked him [Elder Day] how God looks as he was a preacher of the gospel - tell me how the kingdom of glory looks - after a long period he answered, '"I'll not pressure to answer the question how a spirit looks - how do you suppose Father Adam looked - he said like you. I smiled and asked how did his daddy look - he said he was in the image of his father ... the Jews has not 1/4 portion of the light of the advent to the gentiles know of the second advent of Christ, is it a marvel they rejected him - not half so much as the gentiles are now mistaken ... if I were to tell this congregation where they are - I now know and you will know, when the Lord led off those - he took them as the city of Enoch from the earth '- Gent this earth is divided - you may search this earth from earth to west, do you think they are frozen up. when the ten tribes return - you will find them millions and millions - they increased rapidly ... there is a curse on them for killing the Messiah - and the day
is set and when it will be wiped away, we are at the very threshold when Saviors shall come and save the House of Esau, the gentiles, Ephraim in his first career was the savior of this fathers house and he said it is the house of Ephraim and Manasseh. Ephraim is to come up on Mount Zion and save the House of Esau, they have mingled with the blood of gentiles - only a drop in a family - every particle of a drop will be gathered out yet Ephraim will come up on Mount Zion -
[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 asked him [Elder Day] how God looks as he was a preacher of the gospel - tell me how the kingdom of glory looks - after a long period he answered, '"I'll not pressure to answer the question how a spirit looks - how do you suppose Father Adam looked - he said like you. I smiled and asked how did his daddy look - he said he was in the image of his father ... the Jews has not 1/4 portion of the light of the advent to the gentiles know of the second advent of Christ, is it a marvel they rejected him - not half so much as the gentiles are now mistaken ... if I were to tell this congregation where they are - I now know and you will know, when the Lord led off those - he took them as the city of Enoch from the earth '- Gent this earth is divided - you may search this earth from earth to west, do you think they are frozen up. when the ten tribes return - you will find them millions and millions - they increased rapidly ... there is a curse on them for killing the Messiah - and the day
is set and when it will be wiped away, we are at the very threshold when Saviors shall come and save the House of Esau, the gentiles, Ephraim in his first career was the savior of this fathers house and he said it is the house of Ephraim and Manasseh. Ephraim is to come up on Mount Zion and save the House of Esau, they have mingled with the blood of gentiles - only a drop in a family - every particle of a drop will be gathered out yet Ephraim will come up on Mount Zion -
[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 21, 1845
Patriarchal Blessing of Jane Rigby given by William Smith ... I bless thee with that power that shall have dominion over evil Spirits and they shall be rebuked. And by thy prayers they shall flee away ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
[Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - Jul 21, 1845
Patriarchal Blessing of James Rigby given by William Smith ... as an avenger of the blood of Prophets & Patriarchs thou shalt stand as a mighty warrior and contend with great strength for the cause of Zion ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
[Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - Jul 21, 1845
Patriarchal Blessing of Benjamin Chase given by William Smith ... as a Savior on Mount Zion thou shalt stand in the last days numbered with the 144,000 ... the names of thy fathers shall be revealed unto thee, up to the time they lost the Holy Priesthood.
[Patriarchal Blessings]
[Patriarchal Blessings]
30 years ago today - Jul 20, 1995
Presbyterian General Assembly of the United States adopts a resolution that the LDS church is "a new and emerging religion that expresses allegiance to Jesus Christ in terms used with the Christian tradition." This ecumenical statement is at odds with Protestant denominations which define Mormonism as a non-Christian cult. However, in recognition of the LDS church's own claim to be neither Catholic nor Protestant, this document adds that the LDS church is "not within the historic apostolic tradition of the Christian Church of which the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is a part." This pro-Mormon resolution is drafted and presented by Utah's Presbytery, eighty-five years after it fomented several anti-Mormon campaigns nationally.
[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 )]]
40 years ago today - Jul 20, 1985
One hundred thousand people attend a Church dance festival at the Rose Bowl in Southern California.
80 years ago today - Jul 20, 1945
[David O. McKay]
President McKay, upon the insistence of President Smith and President Clark, took a much needed vacation from the office.
[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 McKay, upon the insistence of President Smith and President Clark, took a much needed vacation from the office.
[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]
110 years ago today - Jul 20, 1915
[George F. Gibbs to N. E. Shorten]
Please find enclosed answers to the questions contained in ours of the 10th inst. The answers were given by Elder B. H. Roberts, and have been approved by President Joseph F. Smith. ...
Q: Is the original manuscript of the Book of Abraham still in existence? Answer: The papyrus manuscript, together with the mummies with which it was connected, was destroyed in what is known as the great fire of Chicago, it, with the mummies, being on exhibition at the time at Wood's museum. The mummies and manuscript, shortly before the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith, were turned over by him to his mother, who derived a little revenue from exhibiting them. These things remained in possession of the Smith family after the exodus from Nauvoo, and were disposed of by William Smith, and found their way to Wood's museum after the death of his mother. Q: Has it, or authentic copies of it, ever been submitted to reliable men for translation? Answer: Some facsimiles were submitted by the late Bishop Spaulding of Utah to some of the professors in the late controversy. These facsimiles were taken from an early edition of the Pearl of Great Price.
[George F. Gibbs, Letter to N. E. Shorten, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Please find enclosed answers to the questions contained in ours of the 10th inst. The answers were given by Elder B. H. Roberts, and have been approved by President Joseph F. Smith. ...
Q: Is the original manuscript of the Book of Abraham still in existence? Answer: The papyrus manuscript, together with the mummies with which it was connected, was destroyed in what is known as the great fire of Chicago, it, with the mummies, being on exhibition at the time at Wood's museum. The mummies and manuscript, shortly before the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith, were turned over by him to his mother, who derived a little revenue from exhibiting them. These things remained in possession of the Smith family after the exodus from Nauvoo, and were disposed of by William Smith, and found their way to Wood's museum after the death of his mother. Q: Has it, or authentic copies of it, ever been submitted to reliable men for translation? Answer: Some facsimiles were submitted by the late Bishop Spaulding of Utah to some of the professors in the late controversy. These facsimiles were taken from an early edition of the Pearl of Great Price.
[George F. Gibbs, Letter to N. E. Shorten, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
115 years ago today - Jul 20, 1910
The Christian Endeavor Society of Missouri, an early forerunner of the American Religious Right, instituted a campaign to ban movies depicting kissing between non-relatives.
[Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline]
[Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline]
140 years ago today - Jul 20, 1885 (Monday)
A monster mass meeting was held in Paris, Bear Lake Co., remonstrating against the political oppression in that county, and petitioning Pres. Cleveland for redress.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
180 years ago today - Jul 20, 1845
[Brigham Young]
I believe and know that no mans body changes in all his life - if the body changes in seven years I wonder what body that was, gotten by the Eternal Father born of the Virgin Mary and suffered for the sins of the world - put down in death and laid in the sepulcher by Joseph - it is the corruptible system that passes away the refined body stays - I am forty, I wonder which body will be resurrected - I have been long enough in this church to have two bodies, I would hate to have six or seven bodies for one spirit - I should be a kind of a monster - ... the refined particles stay and the corrupt particles flee away - Jesus Christ rose with the same wounds that he died with.
[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 believe and know that no mans body changes in all his life - if the body changes in seven years I wonder what body that was, gotten by the Eternal Father born of the Virgin Mary and suffered for the sins of the world - put down in death and laid in the sepulcher by Joseph - it is the corruptible system that passes away the refined body stays - I am forty, I wonder which body will be resurrected - I have been long enough in this church to have two bodies, I would hate to have six or seven bodies for one spirit - I should be a kind of a monster - ... the refined particles stay and the corrupt particles flee away - Jesus Christ rose with the same wounds that he died with.
[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]
185 years ago today - Jul 20, 1840
Patriarchal Blessing of Robert D. Foster given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... thou Shall not loose [lose] thy inheritance, ... thou Shall speak to the raging Sea, and its angry waves Shall be Still the winds Shall be Still at thy bidding, ... thou Shalt behold thousands fall by the Sword, and hundreds perish in famine... and I seal thee against the destroyer, and the Devil, and all delusion Spirits, and the destroying Angle [Angel] Shall pass by thee I seal [thee] up to Eternal life in the name of Jesus Christ Even So Amen
[Patriarchal Blessings]
[Patriarchal Blessings]
50 years ago today - Jul 19, 1975
LDS church and its Bonneville Productions receive national advertising award ("Clio") for its "Homefront" advertising on television. Church also receives Clio awards in 1979, 1980, 1984, 1992, and 1993.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
125 years ago today - Jul 19, 1900; Thursday
[Heber J. Grant]
I explained tha some of the [Benjamin Cluff] party were giving glowing and wonderful accounts of what the party was to accomplish namely--that Brother Cluff was to unearth the City of Zarahemla; that Prof[essor]. Wolfe was to discover plates and have the gift to interpret them; that they were going to accomplish things greater even than the discovery of the plates containing the Book of Mormon; this expedition meant the dawn of freedom to the Church etc. etc.
The general feeling of the brethren was that somebody should be sent to Mexico to intercept the expedition and decide whether it should be abandoned or a small party should proceed.
[Heber J. Grant, Diary]
I explained tha some of the [Benjamin Cluff] party were giving glowing and wonderful accounts of what the party was to accomplish namely--that Brother Cluff was to unearth the City of Zarahemla; that Prof[essor]. Wolfe was to discover plates and have the gift to interpret them; that they were going to accomplish things greater even than the discovery of the plates containing the Book of Mormon; this expedition meant the dawn of freedom to the Church etc. etc.
The general feeling of the brethren was that somebody should be sent to Mexico to intercept the expedition and decide whether it should be abandoned or a small party should proceed.
[Heber J. Grant, Diary]
125 years ago today - Jul 19, 1900; Thursday
Mosiah Hancock, a man well on to seventy years, to accompany the [Benjamin Cluff] expedition [to Central/South America] believing that they might find some new plates as a result of their explorations. Brother Grant could not help but believe that they would be in jeopardy of their lives and belongings while traveling in Mexico.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
185 years ago today - Jul 19, 1840
[Joseph Smith Prophecies]
.... speaking of the Land of Zion [DEL: that :DEL] It consists of all N. & S America but that any place where the Saints gather is Zion which every righteous man will build up for a place of safety for his children [DEL: that :DEL] The olive trees are 12 stakes which are yet to be built not the Temple in Jackson [County, Missouri] as some suppose for while the 12 [DEL: olive :DEL] stakes are being built we will be at peace but the Nations of the Earth will be at war.
... we will continue pleading like the Widow at the feet of the unjust judge but we may plead at the feet of Majistrates and at the feet of Judges At the feet of Governors and at the feet of senators & at the feet of [DEL: the :DEL] Pre [s]idents for 8 years it will be of no avail. We shall find no favor in any of the courts of this government. The redemption of Zion is the redemption of all N & S America and those 12 stake must be built up before the redemption of Zion can take place ...
We shall build the Zion of the Lord in peace untill the servants of that Lord shall begin to lay the foundation of a great and high watch Tower and then shall they begin to say within themselves what need hath my Lord of this tower seeing this is a time of peace &c--Then the Enemy shall [DEL: brak :DEL] come as a thief in the night and scatter the servants abroad when the seed of these 12 Olive trees are scattered abroad they will wake up the Nations of the whole Earth Even this Nation will be on the very verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground and when the constitution is upon the brink of ruin this people will be the Staff upon which the Nation shall lean and they shall bear [DEL: away :DEL] the constitution away from the very verge of destruction --Then shall the Lord say go tell all my servants who are the strength of mine house my young men and middle aged &c come to the Land of my vineyard and fight the battle of the Lord--Then the Kings & Queens shall
comethen the rulers of the Earth shall come then shall ail saints come yea the Foreign saints shall come to fight for the Land of my vineyard for in this thing shall be their safety and they will have no power to choose but will come as a man fleeth from a sudden destruction--But before this the time shall be [DEL: when :DEL] these who are now my friends shall become my enemies and shall seek to take my life and [DEL: shall be m :DEL] there are those now before me who will more furiously pursue me [DEL: and :DEL] the more dilligently seek [DEL: to :DEL] my life and be more blood thirsty upon my track than ever were the Missouri Mobbers You say among yourselves as did them of old time it is I & is it I But I know these things by the visions of the Almighty.
... And it is now wisdom in God that we should enter into as compact a city as posible for Zion and Jerusalem [DEL: and :DEL] must both be built up before the coming of Christ [DEL: This will near a half of a century :DEL] How long will it take to do this 10 years Yes more than 40 years will pass before this work will be accomplished and when these cities are built then shall the coming of the Son of man be
... --And I prophecy in the name of the Lord that the state of Illinois shall become a great [DEL: mountain :DEL] and mighty mountain as a city set upon a hill that cannot be hid and a great that giveth light to the world [DEL: and :DEL] The city of Nauvoo als [o] shall become the greatest city in the whole world.
Curse that man who says to his neighbor you are a mean man because you do not believe as I do I now invite all liberall minded men to come up to Nauvoo and help to build up the city of our God We are not greatly distressed no nor ever will be ... We will build upon the top of this Temple a great observatory a great and high watch tower and in the top thereof we will Suspend a tremendous bell [DEL: whi :DEL] that when it is rung shall rouse the inhabitants of Madison wake up the people of Warsaw and sound in the ears of men [in] Carthage Then comes the ancient records yea all of them dig them yea bring them forth speedily
Then shall the poor be fed by the curious who shall come from all parts of the world to see this wonderful temple Yea I prophecy that pleasure parties shall come from England to see the Mamoth and like the Queen of Sheba shall say the half never was told them. School houses shall be built here and High schools shall be established and the great men of the [earth] shall send their sons here to board while they are receiving their education among us And even Noblemen shall crave the priviledge of educating their children with us and these poor saints shall chink in their pockets the money of these proud men received from such as come and dwell with us
Now brethren I obligate myself to build as great a temple as ever solomon did if the church will back me up. Moreover it shall not impoverish any man but enrich thousands I prophecy that the time shall be when these saints shall ride proudly over the mountains of Missouri and no Gentile dog nor Missouri dog shall dare lift a tongue against them but will lick up the dust from beneath their feet and I pray the father that many here may realize this and see it with their eyes. And if it should be (Stretching his hand towards the place and in a melancholly tone that made all hearts tremble) will of God that I might live to behold that temple completed and finished from the foundation to the top stone I will say Oh Lord it is enough Lord let thy servant depart in peace, which is my ernest prayer in the name of the L Jesus Amen ... [Howard and Martha Coray Notebook]
He (J.S.) says Zion is all North & South America The 12 Olive trees are 12 stakes J. Co. Mo. is the centre. The government is fallen & needs redeeming. It is guilty of Blood & cannot stand as it now is but will come so near dessolation [sic] as to hang as it were by a single hair!! -- Then the servants goes to the Nations of the earth, & gethers [sic] the strength of the Lord's house! a mighty army!! -- And this is the redemption of Zion -- When the saints shall have redeemed that government & reinstated it in all its purity & glory!! -- That America may be an asylum for the remnant of all nations [Orson Pratt to George A. Smith, 21 January 1841, Orson Pratt Papers, LDS Church Archives]
[The Words of Joseph Smith by Joseph Smith by Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook]
.... speaking of the Land of Zion [DEL: that :DEL] It consists of all N. & S America but that any place where the Saints gather is Zion which every righteous man will build up for a place of safety for his children [DEL: that :DEL] The olive trees are 12 stakes which are yet to be built not the Temple in Jackson [County, Missouri] as some suppose for while the 12 [DEL: olive :DEL] stakes are being built we will be at peace but the Nations of the Earth will be at war.
... we will continue pleading like the Widow at the feet of the unjust judge but we may plead at the feet of Majistrates and at the feet of Judges At the feet of Governors and at the feet of senators & at the feet of [DEL: the :DEL] Pre [s]idents for 8 years it will be of no avail. We shall find no favor in any of the courts of this government. The redemption of Zion is the redemption of all N & S America and those 12 stake must be built up before the redemption of Zion can take place ...
We shall build the Zion of the Lord in peace untill the servants of that Lord shall begin to lay the foundation of a great and high watch Tower and then shall they begin to say within themselves what need hath my Lord of this tower seeing this is a time of peace &c--Then the Enemy shall [DEL: brak :DEL] come as a thief in the night and scatter the servants abroad when the seed of these 12 Olive trees are scattered abroad they will wake up the Nations of the whole Earth Even this Nation will be on the very verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground and when the constitution is upon the brink of ruin this people will be the Staff upon which the Nation shall lean and they shall bear [DEL: away :DEL] the constitution away from the very verge of destruction --Then shall the Lord say go tell all my servants who are the strength of mine house my young men and middle aged &c come to the Land of my vineyard and fight the battle of the Lord--Then the Kings & Queens shall
comethen the rulers of the Earth shall come then shall ail saints come yea the Foreign saints shall come to fight for the Land of my vineyard for in this thing shall be their safety and they will have no power to choose but will come as a man fleeth from a sudden destruction--But before this the time shall be [DEL: when :DEL] these who are now my friends shall become my enemies and shall seek to take my life and [DEL: shall be m :DEL] there are those now before me who will more furiously pursue me [DEL: and :DEL] the more dilligently seek [DEL: to :DEL] my life and be more blood thirsty upon my track than ever were the Missouri Mobbers You say among yourselves as did them of old time it is I & is it I But I know these things by the visions of the Almighty.
... And it is now wisdom in God that we should enter into as compact a city as posible for Zion and Jerusalem [DEL: and :DEL] must both be built up before the coming of Christ [DEL: This will near a half of a century :DEL] How long will it take to do this 10 years Yes more than 40 years will pass before this work will be accomplished and when these cities are built then shall the coming of the Son of man be
... --And I prophecy in the name of the Lord that the state of Illinois shall become a great [DEL: mountain :DEL] and mighty mountain as a city set upon a hill that cannot be hid and a great that giveth light to the world [DEL: and :DEL] The city of Nauvoo als [o] shall become the greatest city in the whole world.
Curse that man who says to his neighbor you are a mean man because you do not believe as I do I now invite all liberall minded men to come up to Nauvoo and help to build up the city of our God We are not greatly distressed no nor ever will be ... We will build upon the top of this Temple a great observatory a great and high watch tower and in the top thereof we will Suspend a tremendous bell [DEL: whi :DEL] that when it is rung shall rouse the inhabitants of Madison wake up the people of Warsaw and sound in the ears of men [in] Carthage Then comes the ancient records yea all of them dig them yea bring them forth speedily
Then shall the poor be fed by the curious who shall come from all parts of the world to see this wonderful temple Yea I prophecy that pleasure parties shall come from England to see the Mamoth and like the Queen of Sheba shall say the half never was told them. School houses shall be built here and High schools shall be established and the great men of the [earth] shall send their sons here to board while they are receiving their education among us And even Noblemen shall crave the priviledge of educating their children with us and these poor saints shall chink in their pockets the money of these proud men received from such as come and dwell with us
Now brethren I obligate myself to build as great a temple as ever solomon did if the church will back me up. Moreover it shall not impoverish any man but enrich thousands I prophecy that the time shall be when these saints shall ride proudly over the mountains of Missouri and no Gentile dog nor Missouri dog shall dare lift a tongue against them but will lick up the dust from beneath their feet and I pray the father that many here may realize this and see it with their eyes. And if it should be (Stretching his hand towards the place and in a melancholly tone that made all hearts tremble) will of God that I might live to behold that temple completed and finished from the foundation to the top stone I will say Oh Lord it is enough Lord let thy servant depart in peace, which is my ernest prayer in the name of the L Jesus Amen ... [Howard and Martha Coray Notebook]
He (J.S.) says Zion is all North & South America The 12 Olive trees are 12 stakes J. Co. Mo. is the centre. The government is fallen & needs redeeming. It is guilty of Blood & cannot stand as it now is but will come so near dessolation [sic] as to hang as it were by a single hair!! -- Then the servants goes to the Nations of the earth, & gethers [sic] the strength of the Lord's house! a mighty army!! -- And this is the redemption of Zion -- When the saints shall have redeemed that government & reinstated it in all its purity & glory!! -- That America may be an asylum for the remnant of all nations [Orson Pratt to George A. Smith, 21 January 1841, Orson Pratt Papers, LDS Church Archives]
[The Words of Joseph Smith by Joseph Smith by Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook]
185 years ago today - Jul 19, 1840
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff]
John Jones came to oppose us & his carriage broke down & flung him in the mud. He came to meeting but the Lord shut his mouth & he could not utter a word but left the room as soon as I closed.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
John Jones came to oppose us & his carriage broke down & flung him in the mud. He came to meeting but the Lord shut his mouth & he could not utter a word but left the room as soon as I closed.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
190 years ago today - Jul 19, 1835
"The remainder of this month, I was continually engaged in translating an alphabet to the Book of Abraham, and arranging a grammar of the Egyptian language as practiced by the ancients." On this same date, W. W. Phelps writes to his wife, "These records of old times, when we translate them and print them in a book, will make a good witness for the Book of Mormon." (In reference to the above Phelps letter, Hugh Nibley argues that because Phelps said "we translate them," all of Joseph Smith's notes, Egyptian grammars, etc., were not necessarily prepared by Joseph alone, if at all. Phelps apparently tried his hand at some of these things too, and scholars should be careful not to attack Joseph for the alphabet and grammar if they were, in fact, only vain attempts by W. W. Phelps.
[History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 2:238; Brigham Young University Studies (various issues), Su '71, 394 - referenced in Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 2:238; Brigham Young University Studies (various issues), Su '71, 394 - referenced in Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
200 years ago today - Jul 19, 1825
[U.S. Religious History]
Liberal members of Congregational churches in New England founded the American Unitarian Association.
[Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline]
Liberal members of Congregational churches in New England founded the American Unitarian Association.
[Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline]
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