Same-Sex Marriage legalized in the USA
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Today In Mormon History-fb
Several curious tidbits that happened on this day in Mormon History
160 years ago today - Jun 26, 1865
[Brigham Young]
You may remember it and lay it to heart, and if you wish, write it in your journals, that some of the best spirits that have ever been sent to earth are coming at the present time, comparatively speaking. Solomon said, '"He that spareth his rod hateth his son,'" but instead of using the rod, I will teach my children by example and by precept. I will teach them every opportunity I have to cherish faith, to exercise patience, to be full of long-suffering and kindness. It is not by the whip or the rod that we can make obedient children; but it is by faith and by prayer, and by setting a good example before them. This is my belief.
[Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 11:115-119, 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]
You may remember it and lay it to heart, and if you wish, write it in your journals, that some of the best spirits that have ever been sent to earth are coming at the present time, comparatively speaking. Solomon said, '"He that spareth his rod hateth his son,'" but instead of using the rod, I will teach my children by example and by precept. I will teach them every opportunity I have to cherish faith, to exercise patience, to be full of long-suffering and kindness. It is not by the whip or the rod that we can make obedient children; but it is by faith and by prayer, and by setting a good example before them. This is my belief.
[Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 11:115-119, 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 - Jun 26, 1860
Brigham Young's office journal records: "In the Evening Br T. Ellerbeck came into the Office and had some conversation about grape raising, Br[other] Carrington joined in and conversed about making grape wine."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
170 years ago today - Jun 26, 1855
Indian Territory Mission established to proselytize among Cherokees and Creeks in what is now Oklahoma. Directed almost exclusively toward Native Americans, mission closes in 1877, reopens in 1883 with increasing efforts toward Anglos.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
180 years ago today - Jun 26, 1845
Clothed our selves [in temple clothes] and offerd up our praiers for the prosperity of the Saints and for destruction to our Enimes. A perfect union in corum [quorum]. Orson Pratt being Mouth. After we got threw My Wife and Sister Whitney with our little children of Promise [came in?]. We then offerd the Sings [signs]. B. Young, W. Richards Laid hands on my Litle son Brigham Willard Heber C. Kimball, and sealled the Blessing of Life and health should rest on him and the holy Preast hood rested on him from his Mothers womb. Jane Whiteny then on Mary and simelor things. Then they left the room. Then we offered the signs, and concrated [consecrated] three botels of oil, 2 for me and one fore John Smith, I being mouth. We then praid onece more B. Young being mouth. We had a good time and the Lord was with us. He shall have the glory.
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
190 years ago today - Jun 26, 1835
At Joseph's request, the Painesville Telegraph publishes court testimony regarding an altercation between Joseph Smith and his brother-in-law Calvin Stoddard. Calvin says Joseph has apologized for striking him on the forehead with the flat of his hand. The apology has been accepted and Joseph is acquitted. [This occurs when Joseph & Calvin were water witching together.]
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
195 years ago today - 1830 26 Jun.
Residents of Colesville, one of the three Mormon congregations in New York state, disrupt an intended baptismal ceremony and intimidate church members. This is the first mob action against Mormons.
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
50 years ago today - Jun 25, 1975-Wednesday
[Leonard Arrington]
.... Before Maureen [Ursenbach] agreed to marry Dale [Beecher], she discussed privately with me the possibility that this might affect her employment with us. She mentioned specifically that their marriage might result in her becoming pregnant and she understood that the Personnel Department would force her off the payroll after she had a baby. I told her that while I thought she should marry Dale if she loved him and without any regard to the future consequences with respect to her professional work, her capabilities were very much needed by the Historical Department and if she should become pregnant, I would do my best to make it possible for her to remain a member of our staff. She did, of course, decide to marry and she did become pregnant.
We were inclined to let the Personnel Committee make the first move to terminate her services, but in preparing the lessons for the Relief Society, she had a number of contacts with Roger Merrill of the Personnel Department. In May, noticing her obvious pregnancy, he told her that the Personnel Department would have to terminate her services upon the birth of her baby unless a special exception was made by the Personnel Committee. He suggested a number of rationalizations which might induce the Personnel Committee to make an exception.
After Maureen came to me with this report, I wrote a letter to Elder Joseph Anderson regarding an exception. Brother Anderson said that it was a matter which should be taken to our advisors. In our regular meeting with the advisors, I explained the matter orally. Brother [Delbert L.] Stapley, who is a member of the Personnel Committee, suggested that I write a letter to the Personnel Committee asking that an exception be made. I did so. ... I also suggested that Maureen herself might write a letter which could be sent along with my letter to the Personnel Committee. Dale decided he should also like to write a letter as husband and prospective father, which he did. ...
Elder Stapley later reported that the Personnel Committee had decided to make an exception in the case of Sister Beecher and that no action would be taken to terminate her services. ... Elder Stapley later phoned me to tell me that Brother Williams had decided to ask the Legal Department of the Church to render an opinion as to whether making this exception would set a precedent which would force the Church to retain without termination all women employees who gave birth to children.
We have learned through private sources that this matter was taken to the Legal Department. The Legal Department felt that the Church would be in clear violation if it fired a woman simply because she had a baby and that the Legal Department recommended the Personnel Committee take this into consideration not only in this instance but in other instances which arise.
... Our private sources suggest that the Church may find it desirable to alter its policy to conform with the Civil Rights Act of 1972. In any case, it looks hopeful that we will be able to retain Maureen as a member of our staff, but if so, we shall probably be counseled to keep this quiet.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
.... Before Maureen [Ursenbach] agreed to marry Dale [Beecher], she discussed privately with me the possibility that this might affect her employment with us. She mentioned specifically that their marriage might result in her becoming pregnant and she understood that the Personnel Department would force her off the payroll after she had a baby. I told her that while I thought she should marry Dale if she loved him and without any regard to the future consequences with respect to her professional work, her capabilities were very much needed by the Historical Department and if she should become pregnant, I would do my best to make it possible for her to remain a member of our staff. She did, of course, decide to marry and she did become pregnant.
We were inclined to let the Personnel Committee make the first move to terminate her services, but in preparing the lessons for the Relief Society, she had a number of contacts with Roger Merrill of the Personnel Department. In May, noticing her obvious pregnancy, he told her that the Personnel Department would have to terminate her services upon the birth of her baby unless a special exception was made by the Personnel Committee. He suggested a number of rationalizations which might induce the Personnel Committee to make an exception.
After Maureen came to me with this report, I wrote a letter to Elder Joseph Anderson regarding an exception. Brother Anderson said that it was a matter which should be taken to our advisors. In our regular meeting with the advisors, I explained the matter orally. Brother [Delbert L.] Stapley, who is a member of the Personnel Committee, suggested that I write a letter to the Personnel Committee asking that an exception be made. I did so. ... I also suggested that Maureen herself might write a letter which could be sent along with my letter to the Personnel Committee. Dale decided he should also like to write a letter as husband and prospective father, which he did. ...
Elder Stapley later reported that the Personnel Committee had decided to make an exception in the case of Sister Beecher and that no action would be taken to terminate her services. ... Elder Stapley later phoned me to tell me that Brother Williams had decided to ask the Legal Department of the Church to render an opinion as to whether making this exception would set a precedent which would force the Church to retain without termination all women employees who gave birth to children.
We have learned through private sources that this matter was taken to the Legal Department. The Legal Department felt that the Church would be in clear violation if it fired a woman simply because she had a baby and that the Legal Department recommended the Personnel Committee take this into consideration not only in this instance but in other instances which arise.
... Our private sources suggest that the Church may find it desirable to alter its policy to conform with the Civil Rights Act of 1972. In any case, it looks hopeful that we will be able to retain Maureen as a member of our staff, but if so, we shall probably be counseled to keep this quiet.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
60 years ago today - Jun 25, 1965
NEW YORK TIMES reports First Presidency's letters to LDS members of Congress to retain anti-union "right to work" provision of Taft-Hartley Act.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
60 years ago today - Jun 25, 1965
The New York Times reports the First Presidency's letters to LDS members of Congress to retain the anti-union "right to work" provision of the Taft-Hartley Act.
[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 )]]
90 years ago today - Jun 25, 1935
[David O. McKay]
.... No officers or members of the Church are showing proper reverence for the Sabbath day when they attend picture shows on Sunday, and most certainly that Bishop was recreant to his leadership and to his calling as a Bishop when he announced in meeting that he would begin sacrament meeting promptly at 7:30 and dismiss at 8:30 so that his members could go to the picture show if they desired to do so, and confessed to the members of his Ward that he and his wife had so attended. ...
[David O. McKay, Letter to Jesse W. Richins, 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]
.... No officers or members of the Church are showing proper reverence for the Sabbath day when they attend picture shows on Sunday, and most certainly that Bishop was recreant to his leadership and to his calling as a Bishop when he announced in meeting that he would begin sacrament meeting promptly at 7:30 and dismiss at 8:30 so that his members could go to the picture show if they desired to do so, and confessed to the members of his Ward that he and his wife had so attended. ...
[David O. McKay, Letter to Jesse W. Richins, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
135 years ago today - Jun 25, 1890
Letter from Daniel H. Wells to Joseph F. Smith mentioning Ester Dutcher's sealing to Joseph Smith while they were both alive.
[Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 3 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2013 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)]
[Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 3 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2013 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)]
160 years ago today - Jun 25, 1865
In the Afternoon President Young spoke & reproved the Merchants & said they would go to hell if they did not repent & use their surplus means for building up the kingdom of God for they had got it out of the Saints.
[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]
160 years ago today - Jun 25, 1865
[Brigham Young]
We are now located in the midst of these mountains, and are here because we were obliged to go somewhere. We were under the necessity of leaving our homes, and had to go somewhere. Before we left Nauvoo, three Members of Congress told us that if we would leave the United States, we should never be troubled by them again. We did leave the United States, and now Congressmen say, if you will renounce polygamy you shall be admitted unto the Union as an independent State and live with us. We shall live any way, and increase, and spread, and prosper, and we shall know the most and be the best-looking people there is on the earth. As for polygamy, or any other doctrine the Lord has revealed, it is not for me to change, alter, or renounce it; my business is to obey when the Lord commands, and this is the duty of all mankind. ...
[Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 11:111-115, 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]
We are now located in the midst of these mountains, and are here because we were obliged to go somewhere. We were under the necessity of leaving our homes, and had to go somewhere. Before we left Nauvoo, three Members of Congress told us that if we would leave the United States, we should never be troubled by them again. We did leave the United States, and now Congressmen say, if you will renounce polygamy you shall be admitted unto the Union as an independent State and live with us. We shall live any way, and increase, and spread, and prosper, and we shall know the most and be the best-looking people there is on the earth. As for polygamy, or any other doctrine the Lord has revealed, it is not for me to change, alter, or renounce it; my business is to obey when the Lord commands, and this is the duty of all mankind. ...
[Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 11:111-115, 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 - Jun 25, 1845
[Heber C. Kimball]
.... Nine present. Offerd up the Signs. and praid that the Lord would bless Demmen and deliver him from his enimes, that our Enimes might be cursed. At six we went to the Masonick Hall, met with the Poliece. Wm. Wright present, said he was fraid of his life. The Poliece all present, the Bishops and menny others. Wm. [Smith] recieved a rebuke from B. Young.
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
.... Nine present. Offerd up the Signs. and praid that the Lord would bless Demmen and deliver him from his enimes, that our Enimes might be cursed. At six we went to the Masonick Hall, met with the Poliece. Wm. Wright present, said he was fraid of his life. The Poliece all present, the Bishops and menny others. Wm. [Smith] recieved a rebuke from B. Young.
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
180 years ago today - Wednesday, June 25th, 1845
Letter: William Smith to President Brigham Young:
President Young:'-- I feel that my life is in danger, news has come to me that certain men are forming a conspiracy to put me out of the way in this city. I am not safe in the hands of the Police that will insult me to my face and draw their canes over my head. I claim protection from your hands ... some have turned against me, because I had the audacity to get married. I also took upon me to advise the Hodges [murdered two days earlier] to leave Nauvoo and never return ... I volunteered my council to Bro. Tuft who appeared to be taking an active part in getting rid of these men'--Tuft said he did not care a damn for what I said and further insulted me; he had his council from others and should follow it &c. &c., charging me falsely, I would not bear it, took him by the collar; he drew his cane. I do not believe it is your council to Police to run over me. Since this time this man Tufts is surrounded by groups of men threatening me, and I am not safe Bro. Young, and
something must be done. I will not risk my life in the hands of such men, they must either give me satisfaction or quit the Police, for to be murdered in cold blood in my bed, cut to pieces .... The deacons that pass my house nightly say in the streets that it is in more harm to raise a cane over an apostle's head and beat him for a crime &c. &c., men came to me last evening and said Bro. Smith your life is in danger, take care of yourself ... '
Our mind [the Twelve] was that the Policeman was doing his duty, and Bro. Wm. Smith was in the wrong; and his life was not in jeopardy. ... we appointed a meeting of the Twelve and the Police in the Masonic Hall in the evening and that things might be overruled by the spirit of the Lord, we appointed a meeting of the Quorum of the Priesthood at which however few but the Twelve were present; we there prayed for William that God would overrule every evil principle; that his violent spirit might be curbed by the spirit of God... He was invited by President Brigham Young to speak and make a statement of his feelings.
'He arose and made some explanations in regard to the course he had taken to counsel the Police, to let a Prisoner who was in their custody go, who was one of the brothers of the Hodges condemned for murder, [and who we had every reason to believe was implicated in the same thing.] He furthermore stated he had some altercation with Brother Tufts, one of the Police, who he had heretofore considered as a good brother, and did now; that a scuffle had ensued, wherein he attempted to strike Tufts ... for if the people here did not want him, he would go away ... that he was one of the last remnants of the Smith family to whom the priesthood had come; and that if he went away, he would take along with him, his sister, his mother, and the last remains of the family; and that where he and they went, there the priesthood, authority, and the Church would be; he made many other remarks of an unpleasant nature.'
'Elder Young arose and said ... that he did not receive his priesthood from William Smith but from his brother, and he understood the power of that priesthood; neither is this Church indebted to William Smith for the priesthood; ... As William Smith says that if he goes away from here and takes his Father's family along, the priesthood and authority would go. I say it will not go the priesthood and authority is in the church and cannot be taken from it without transgression. ... William Smith had no right to counsel those men to let the Hodges go...
We could live in peace here before William Smith came; and since he came there has been the devil to pay; he has been throwing out hints all the time, that the presidency belonged to him, producing discord. I have reason to believe, and before we get through with this matter, think I can prove, that he told General Deming that I was the instigator of that murder (Hodges) I will not stand such things...
Brother William arose and seemed to be humbled ... 'Brother Brigham had misunderstood him; he did not mean that he would take the priesthood away with him; but that he would take his family away; and that he had not said, that he had a right to the presidency;'-- but that he always said that Brother Brigham was the head of the church; and that he did not wish any of the Police to be dismissed, he only wished to know if he would be safe.' Brother Brigham said, if that was all that was wanted it could be soon done.
He did not wish to harrow up any person's feelings; and this investigation would not be necessary. He called upon the Police to know if they would stand by brother William, and support him. They all answered, 'yes'. He then called upon Brother William to know if he would support the Police.
He answered, 'yes.'
['The John Taylor Nauvoo journal, January 1845-September 1845,' BYU Studies 23:3 (1983) edited by Dean C. Jessee]
President Young:'-- I feel that my life is in danger, news has come to me that certain men are forming a conspiracy to put me out of the way in this city. I am not safe in the hands of the Police that will insult me to my face and draw their canes over my head. I claim protection from your hands ... some have turned against me, because I had the audacity to get married. I also took upon me to advise the Hodges [murdered two days earlier] to leave Nauvoo and never return ... I volunteered my council to Bro. Tuft who appeared to be taking an active part in getting rid of these men'--Tuft said he did not care a damn for what I said and further insulted me; he had his council from others and should follow it &c. &c., charging me falsely, I would not bear it, took him by the collar; he drew his cane. I do not believe it is your council to Police to run over me. Since this time this man Tufts is surrounded by groups of men threatening me, and I am not safe Bro. Young, and
something must be done. I will not risk my life in the hands of such men, they must either give me satisfaction or quit the Police, for to be murdered in cold blood in my bed, cut to pieces .... The deacons that pass my house nightly say in the streets that it is in more harm to raise a cane over an apostle's head and beat him for a crime &c. &c., men came to me last evening and said Bro. Smith your life is in danger, take care of yourself ... '
Our mind [the Twelve] was that the Policeman was doing his duty, and Bro. Wm. Smith was in the wrong; and his life was not in jeopardy. ... we appointed a meeting of the Twelve and the Police in the Masonic Hall in the evening and that things might be overruled by the spirit of the Lord, we appointed a meeting of the Quorum of the Priesthood at which however few but the Twelve were present; we there prayed for William that God would overrule every evil principle; that his violent spirit might be curbed by the spirit of God... He was invited by President Brigham Young to speak and make a statement of his feelings.
'He arose and made some explanations in regard to the course he had taken to counsel the Police, to let a Prisoner who was in their custody go, who was one of the brothers of the Hodges condemned for murder, [and who we had every reason to believe was implicated in the same thing.] He furthermore stated he had some altercation with Brother Tufts, one of the Police, who he had heretofore considered as a good brother, and did now; that a scuffle had ensued, wherein he attempted to strike Tufts ... for if the people here did not want him, he would go away ... that he was one of the last remnants of the Smith family to whom the priesthood had come; and that if he went away, he would take along with him, his sister, his mother, and the last remains of the family; and that where he and they went, there the priesthood, authority, and the Church would be; he made many other remarks of an unpleasant nature.'
'Elder Young arose and said ... that he did not receive his priesthood from William Smith but from his brother, and he understood the power of that priesthood; neither is this Church indebted to William Smith for the priesthood; ... As William Smith says that if he goes away from here and takes his Father's family along, the priesthood and authority would go. I say it will not go the priesthood and authority is in the church and cannot be taken from it without transgression. ... William Smith had no right to counsel those men to let the Hodges go...
We could live in peace here before William Smith came; and since he came there has been the devil to pay; he has been throwing out hints all the time, that the presidency belonged to him, producing discord. I have reason to believe, and before we get through with this matter, think I can prove, that he told General Deming that I was the instigator of that murder (Hodges) I will not stand such things...
Brother William arose and seemed to be humbled ... 'Brother Brigham had misunderstood him; he did not mean that he would take the priesthood away with him; but that he would take his family away; and that he had not said, that he had a right to the presidency;'-- but that he always said that Brother Brigham was the head of the church; and that he did not wish any of the Police to be dismissed, he only wished to know if he would be safe.' Brother Brigham said, if that was all that was wanted it could be soon done.
He did not wish to harrow up any person's feelings; and this investigation would not be necessary. He called upon the Police to know if they would stand by brother William, and support him. They all answered, 'yes'. He then called upon Brother William to know if he would support the Police.
He answered, 'yes.'
['The John Taylor Nauvoo journal, January 1845-September 1845,' BYU Studies 23:3 (1983) edited by Dean C. Jessee]
190 years ago today - Jun 25, 1835
$6,232.50 is subscribed for House of the Lord in Kirtland. Joseph, $500; Oliver, $750; W. W. Phelps, $500; John Whitmer, $500; and Frederick G. Williams, $500; all paid within an hour.
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
50 years ago today - Jun 24, 1975-Tuesday
[Leonard Arrington]
Yesterday Marv Wallin, principal owner of Bookcraft and of Publishers Press, invited Davis [Bitton] and I to tour his plants and have dinner. ...
... We also spent a little time with George Bickerstaff, who is the editor of the Bookcraft Publishers. Our impression is that he is pretty orthodox and a conservative churchman and wants to be sure that everything he publishes is "safe." I have the same impression of Marv Wallin, who doesn't want to take any chances, but I have the impression that his son will be a little more liberal.
Marv has published the majority of the works by Mark E. Petersen, Sterling Sill, and certain other General Authorities. Marv says that originally the idea of Bookcraft was conceived by Brother [John] Orton and that Brother [John A.] Widtsoe and Richard L. Evans were to be co-owners, but before they ever published any books, he thinks Brother Widtsoe and Evans withdrew their money so there would not be a conflict of interest, and so essentially the owner and principal beneficiary is Brother Orton. Brother Widtsoe, Homer Durham, and Brother Evans channeled a great deal of business to Bookcraft.
Marv said it was an enormous advantage to have a competitive firm to Deseret Book to keep them on their toes. They had been very sloppy and inconsiderate during the period they had a "monopoly" on the Church trade. Bookcraft has achieved [success], Marv says, because of its energetic merchandising and their taking pains to work closely with the General Authorities. He said that a large proportion of their books are his idea. He conceives the idea of the book and helps the General Authority get it done.
... Davis and I got the impression that he has never worked with scholars, does not understand them, and has no desire to build a reputation in the scholarly field-that can be left up to the university presses. ... He does not want to publish anything either by way of topic or by way of lines and paragraphs in any book that would in any way be offensive to any General Authorities or that would cast a shadow on the firm which would cause any General Authority to have second thoughts about publishing through him. Thus if we were to publish a book through him, he would go carefully through it and would insist upon removing anything which might be questionable.
... He invited us to refer to him manuscripts and also to submit any of ours. On the basis of his remarks, however, I do not think he would publish any of our pieces the way our authors would like to see them appear. We discovered he had seen the Orson Pratt manuscript and it was "99 percent acceptable" but there were some controversial inclusions which they would not run and which the author insisted should be included, so they will not run that item. Eugene England reported today on his fellowship. He will do a series of essays for LDS young people on intellectual heroes such as Joseph Smith, Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, John Taylor, B. H. Roberts, Hugh B. Brown and possibly others. ...
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Yesterday Marv Wallin, principal owner of Bookcraft and of Publishers Press, invited Davis [Bitton] and I to tour his plants and have dinner. ...
... We also spent a little time with George Bickerstaff, who is the editor of the Bookcraft Publishers. Our impression is that he is pretty orthodox and a conservative churchman and wants to be sure that everything he publishes is "safe." I have the same impression of Marv Wallin, who doesn't want to take any chances, but I have the impression that his son will be a little more liberal.
Marv has published the majority of the works by Mark E. Petersen, Sterling Sill, and certain other General Authorities. Marv says that originally the idea of Bookcraft was conceived by Brother [John] Orton and that Brother [John A.] Widtsoe and Richard L. Evans were to be co-owners, but before they ever published any books, he thinks Brother Widtsoe and Evans withdrew their money so there would not be a conflict of interest, and so essentially the owner and principal beneficiary is Brother Orton. Brother Widtsoe, Homer Durham, and Brother Evans channeled a great deal of business to Bookcraft.
Marv said it was an enormous advantage to have a competitive firm to Deseret Book to keep them on their toes. They had been very sloppy and inconsiderate during the period they had a "monopoly" on the Church trade. Bookcraft has achieved [success], Marv says, because of its energetic merchandising and their taking pains to work closely with the General Authorities. He said that a large proportion of their books are his idea. He conceives the idea of the book and helps the General Authority get it done.
... Davis and I got the impression that he has never worked with scholars, does not understand them, and has no desire to build a reputation in the scholarly field-that can be left up to the university presses. ... He does not want to publish anything either by way of topic or by way of lines and paragraphs in any book that would in any way be offensive to any General Authorities or that would cast a shadow on the firm which would cause any General Authority to have second thoughts about publishing through him. Thus if we were to publish a book through him, he would go carefully through it and would insist upon removing anything which might be questionable.
... He invited us to refer to him manuscripts and also to submit any of ours. On the basis of his remarks, however, I do not think he would publish any of our pieces the way our authors would like to see them appear. We discovered he had seen the Orson Pratt manuscript and it was "99 percent acceptable" but there were some controversial inclusions which they would not run and which the author insisted should be included, so they will not run that item. Eugene England reported today on his fellowship. He will do a series of essays for LDS young people on intellectual heroes such as Joseph Smith, Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, John Taylor, B. H. Roberts, Hugh B. Brown and possibly others. ...
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
60 years ago today - Jun 24, 1965
A John Birch student-spy complained to Ernest Wilkinson in 1965 about Poll's negative reviews of Cleon Skousen's "Naked Communist" and of "None Dare Call It Treason."
[Poll to Wilkinson, 24 June 1965, defending himself against the complaints by Bryce. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
[Poll to Wilkinson, 24 June 1965, defending himself against the complaints by Bryce. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
110 years ago today - Jun 24, 1915
James E. Talmage reads the final installments of Jesus the Christ to the Brethren, followed by the regular council meeting of the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve.
In his journal Talmage writes the following:
This was the eighteenth sitting of the Council to hear the reading of the manuscript. Printing is now in progress on the book.
[MSS 229, Box 5, Folder 2, Journal 18; Chronology of the Life and Work of James E. Talmage, J. Trevor Antley, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MJsHY83JZL_n6CjWq11y1trT_CVXMMXAx2uYOWAwn0c/edit#heading=h.2zfdaoa]
In his journal Talmage writes the following:
This was the eighteenth sitting of the Council to hear the reading of the manuscript. Printing is now in progress on the book.
[MSS 229, Box 5, Folder 2, Journal 18; Chronology of the Life and Work of James E. Talmage, J. Trevor Antley, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MJsHY83JZL_n6CjWq11y1trT_CVXMMXAx2uYOWAwn0c/edit#heading=h.2zfdaoa]
120 years ago today - Jun 24, 1905; Saturday
[Apostle John W. Taylor speaking:] I want to tell that I have not broken any law. The [Wilford Woodruff] manifesto was issued to pacify the U.S. Government and for no other purpose. But thank God the U.S. have no jurisdiction outside of their boundary lines. I have taken my families away from them so that I will break no law of any kind.
[Taylor (Canada) Stake Record of High Council and General Priesthood Meetings, excerpts in Quinn Papers, original in LDS Archives]
[Taylor (Canada) Stake Record of High Council and General Priesthood Meetings, excerpts in Quinn Papers, original in LDS Archives]
130 years ago today - Jun 24, 1895
[Franklin D. Richards]
The 2 & 3 Nos [numbers] of Men & Women appeared today. The Editor criticises B. H. Roberts, for his course in Con[stitutional]. Convention & for declining to debate with Miss Annie Shaw. I never argue with Women.
[Franklin D. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
The 2 & 3 Nos [numbers] of Men & Women appeared today. The Editor criticises B. H. Roberts, for his course in Con[stitutional]. Convention & for declining to debate with Miss Annie Shaw. I never argue with Women.
[Franklin D. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
135 years ago today - Jun 24, 1890
[Wilford Woodruff]
I had an interview with Melissa Miller & Mrs C. E. Ells. Mrs Miller Professed to be a prophetess and wanted to Deliver Revelations to the Church.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I had an interview with Melissa Miller & Mrs C. E. Ells. Mrs Miller Professed to be a prophetess and wanted to Deliver Revelations to the Church.
[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 - Tuesday, June 24th, 1845
[John Taylor]
There are two parties existing at this time in the country, termed Jack-Mormons or men favorable to us, knowing the justice of our cause; and Anti-Mormons or men who oppose us and desire our expulsion. Appearances at this time indicate that they will quarrel among themselves, and cease to molest us.
['The John Taylor Nauvoo journal, January 1845-September 1845,' BYU Studies 23:3 (1983) edited by Dean C. Jessee]
There are two parties existing at this time in the country, termed Jack-Mormons or men favorable to us, knowing the justice of our cause; and Anti-Mormons or men who oppose us and desire our expulsion. Appearances at this time indicate that they will quarrel among themselves, and cease to molest us.
['The John Taylor Nauvoo journal, January 1845-September 1845,' BYU Studies 23:3 (1983) edited by Dean C. Jessee]
180 years ago today - Jun 24, 1845. Tuesday.
....Wm. Smith has given bail for another brother of the Hodges who was in custody for robbing, and also beat Brother [Elbridge] Tufts shamefully yesterday for a matter of small consequence. Wm. Smith is railing against the movements of the Twelve and says he has authority here to do as he has a mind to and the people shall know it. It appears he is determined to cause us trouble.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
190 years ago today - Jun 24, 1835
[Patriarchal Blessing, proxy blessing of wife, & ordination of Cyrus Smalling given by Joseph Smith, Sr. & First Presidency]
[Name erased] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I lay my hands upon thee to bless thee, with the blessings of a father, as thou hast no father to bless thee ...Thou shalt have all the desires of thy heart which are in righteousness; yea, even to stand to see the winding up scene of this generation. ... even prisons shall not hold thee, except it be for a short season to the glory of God. ... And I seal thee up unto eternal life in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ; even so. Amen.
Brother [name erased] thy wife is not present, therefore I lay my hands upon thy head, and I seal upon thee blessings for her, and thou shalt tell her of it that she may rejoice; for the blessings of a father are her's in common with thee: and this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ; even so. Amen.
... Ordination of Cyrus Smalling to the Apostleship of the First Quorum of the Seventy
on June 30, 1835
[name erased] ordination blessing which he received under the hands of presidents Joseph Smith, Jr. Oliver Cowdery and Sidney Rigdon, in Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio. June 30, 1835 when he was set apart by prophecy to the apostleship of the first Seventy, in the place of Ezra Thayer, who had left the church and the apostleship.
... Thou shalt stand before bishops, archbishops and lord bishops, and even the pope himself. Thou shalt push together thy thousands: thou shalt proclaim to Catholics, to Presbyterians and all other sects and denominations, and teach bishops, archbishops and popes. Thou shalt be changed in the twinkling of an eye ...
[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:24-25, quoted in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
[Name erased] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I lay my hands upon thee to bless thee, with the blessings of a father, as thou hast no father to bless thee ...Thou shalt have all the desires of thy heart which are in righteousness; yea, even to stand to see the winding up scene of this generation. ... even prisons shall not hold thee, except it be for a short season to the glory of God. ... And I seal thee up unto eternal life in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ; even so. Amen.
Brother [name erased] thy wife is not present, therefore I lay my hands upon thy head, and I seal upon thee blessings for her, and thou shalt tell her of it that she may rejoice; for the blessings of a father are her's in common with thee: and this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ; even so. Amen.
... Ordination of Cyrus Smalling to the Apostleship of the First Quorum of the Seventy
on June 30, 1835
[name erased] ordination blessing which he received under the hands of presidents Joseph Smith, Jr. Oliver Cowdery and Sidney Rigdon, in Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio. June 30, 1835 when he was set apart by prophecy to the apostleship of the first Seventy, in the place of Ezra Thayer, who had left the church and the apostleship.
... Thou shalt stand before bishops, archbishops and lord bishops, and even the pope himself. Thou shalt push together thy thousands: thou shalt proclaim to Catholics, to Presbyterians and all other sects and denominations, and teach bishops, archbishops and popes. Thou shalt be changed in the twinkling of an eye ...
[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:24-25, quoted in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
70 years ago today - Jun 23, 1955
CHURCH NEWS article, "Church-Approved Formal Evening Gowns Designed: Relief Society Sewing Center."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
70 years ago today - Jun 23, 1955
A Church News article, "Church-Approved Formal Evening Gowns Designed: Relief Society Sewing Center."
[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 - Jun 23, 1900; Saturday
Went to town saw Pres[ident]. [Lorenzo] Snow who is much better but still a very sick man. We all pray for him constantly, God spare him to establish the U[nited]. O[rder]. among the Saints; who are they? The spirit will search them out as it did the Twelve apostles; and there will be no mistake. All ready the world feels a lonesome place to me & I look forward to that glorious reunion of the broken ties of love which have come to me in my short life.
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary]
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary]
140 years ago today - Jun 23, 1885
Apostle John Henry Smith writes in his journal: " I had a long talk with my Sister Mary A. Wimmer. She told me that her husband Peter Wireruer had been cut off from the Church but had been rebaptised but that his Priesthood had not been restored. I told her if she would leave him, I would make an effort to aid her to care for her family. She told me she did not think she could do it."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
155 years ago today - Jun 23, 1870
Presidt Young spoke 44 Minuts. ... The Blessings of Life & health is in keeping the word of wisdom. Tea Coffee whiskey & tobacco prepares the system for all deseases that Come along. Those who say they Cannot keep the word of wisdom it shows they Cannot. Those who say they Can such Can keep the word of wisdom. The word of wisdom if Carried out would add to the lives of the rising generation 20 to 30 years. How glorious it would be to talk with an intelligent Man 100 years old. I say to my family & to my sisters if they would give up their tea & Coffee, they would be much better off...
[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 - Monday, June 23rd, 1845
[John Taylor]
William Smith has been ordained Patriarch to the Church; but he is not the only Patriarch, but would act as a senior Patriarch, holding the keys of that priesthood; and his labors would be more especially connected with the Church in Zion; and he would take the lead, priority, or presidency of the Patriarchal office in this place; and in this capacity if there should be a council of Patriarchs, he as a matter of course would preside by night of office. ...
Every father, after he has received his patriarchal blessing, is a Patriarch to his own family; and has the right to confer patriarchal blessings upon his family; which blessings will be just as legal as those conferred by any Patriarch of the Church; in fact it is his right...
A Patriarch to the Church is appointed to bless those who are orphans, or have no father in the Church to bless them. ...
['The John Taylor Nauvoo journal, January 1845-September 1845,' BYU Studies 23:3 (1983) edited by Dean C. Jessee]
William Smith has been ordained Patriarch to the Church; but he is not the only Patriarch, but would act as a senior Patriarch, holding the keys of that priesthood; and his labors would be more especially connected with the Church in Zion; and he would take the lead, priority, or presidency of the Patriarchal office in this place; and in this capacity if there should be a council of Patriarchs, he as a matter of course would preside by night of office. ...
Every father, after he has received his patriarchal blessing, is a Patriarch to his own family; and has the right to confer patriarchal blessings upon his family; which blessings will be just as legal as those conferred by any Patriarch of the Church; in fact it is his right...
A Patriarch to the Church is appointed to bless those who are orphans, or have no father in the Church to bless them. ...
['The John Taylor Nauvoo journal, January 1845-September 1845,' BYU Studies 23:3 (1983) edited by Dean C. Jessee]
180 years ago today - 1845 23 Jun.
Irvine Hodge is stabbed to death in front of Young's house, presumably by Nauvoo police officers Hosea Stout, Elbridge Tufts, and Allen J. Stout.
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
180 years ago today - Jun 23, 1845
Patriarchal Blessing of Elizabeth Rowe given by William Smith ... yet the Angel of God that is appointed in charge, will stand by thee in all the times of thy trouble, and distress, and he shall prove unto thee as the voice of Joseph, and as a mighty deliverer shall he come and thou shalt exclaim lo and behold my deliverer has come, and one who is mighty to save and his voice shall be as the voice of mighty thunders, and many waters, thou shalt see and hear many things that are not told thee in this blessing neither can they be uttered or given to the world ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
[Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - Jun 23, 1845
Patriarchal Blessing -- Confirmation of Patriarchal Blessing conferred by Joseph Smith Sr. of Ebenezer Landers given by William Smith on June 23, 1845
Confirmation of blessing conferred by father Smith on the head of Ebenezer Landers son of Ebenezer & Betsy born in Pittsburgh County of Frontinack Upper Canada 29th September 1816
Dear Brother this is only a confirmation of the blessing thou hast received from under the hands of my father who was the first Patriarch in the church of God in these last days. this blessing shall be unto thee a source of comfort and a fountain of life for thou art of the blood of Ephraim and thy blood is sprinkled among many nations and with the sons of Abraham thou shalt be gathered and saved in the kingdom of God and thou shalt realize in time and in eternity the fulfilment of this blessing upon thine head and of all that has been spoken before concerning thee in the name of Jesus Christ Even so Amen
[Patriarchal Blessings]
Confirmation of blessing conferred by father Smith on the head of Ebenezer Landers son of Ebenezer & Betsy born in Pittsburgh County of Frontinack Upper Canada 29th September 1816
Dear Brother this is only a confirmation of the blessing thou hast received from under the hands of my father who was the first Patriarch in the church of God in these last days. this blessing shall be unto thee a source of comfort and a fountain of life for thou art of the blood of Ephraim and thy blood is sprinkled among many nations and with the sons of Abraham thou shalt be gathered and saved in the kingdom of God and thou shalt realize in time and in eternity the fulfilment of this blessing upon thine head and of all that has been spoken before concerning thee in the name of Jesus Christ Even so Amen
[Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - Jun 23, 1845
Patriarchal Blessing of Abigail Abbott given by William Smith ... of thy posterity shall spring a mighty people the glory and power of the Holy Priesthood in them shall be made known, and like Paul they shall speak in the temple of the Ephesians and the great men of the earth shall hail them as mighty Spirits it is not known unto thee at this time the way and manner this blessing shall be fulfilled, ere all this shall be done one of thy posterity named after the name of his father, and after the name of his Great Grandfather, who was a descendant from the tribe of Judah, and of the household of David, shall be a mighty warrior, and be led on to avenge the blood of Prophets and Patriarchs, he shall lead a mighty people from the wilderness and one mighty among them who shall be also a mighty warrior by the name of Nishcosh, he shall be a descendant of one of the name of Nimrod, who was also a descendant of that Nimrod, who was a mighty hunter in days of old, by way of the Jaredites
upon this continent, who founded a city and called it the city of Gnoalum, this city now lying in ruins the wreck of which only appears as the last descriptive monument of a people that has fallen, and the remnants of whom have become barbarous, wild and uncultivated ...
Given by William Smith Patriarch to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints at Nauvoo City of Joseph 23d June 1845
[Marquardt Papers]
upon this continent, who founded a city and called it the city of Gnoalum, this city now lying in ruins the wreck of which only appears as the last descriptive monument of a people that has fallen, and the remnants of whom have become barbarous, wild and uncultivated ...
Given by William Smith Patriarch to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints at Nauvoo City of Joseph 23d June 1845
[Marquardt Papers]
180 years ago today - 1845 Jun 23
John Taylor writes an editorial which is published shortly thereafter in the Times and Seasons bearing the date 1 June designating William as Patriarch to the Church rather than Patriarch over the Church
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]
195 years ago today - June 23-25, 1830
The proceedings of the 'Antimasonic State Convention of Vermont, Montpelier, 1830' reports of "a secret combination of great extent and influence ... is such a secret combination compatible with the genius and spirit of our constitution ? ... [One delegate asks,] Does not the blood of a murdered citizen call to each of you from the ground against the monster which deprived that citizen of his life?" (Moses 5:31, 35)
[Grunder, Rick, Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source]
[Grunder, Rick, Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source]
155 years ago today - Jun 22, 1870
Presidet Young spoke 38 M. ... I told the people the day would Come when the world would be flooded with Revelation, but from the devil. This begins by a woman being put to sleep & g[iving?] Revelation. Spiritualism began in this way. All their Revelations go to deny Jesus Christ, the gospel & the Atonement. ... In the days of Joseph He felt vary Bad to see a Man Apostitize. But now I feel if a man wants to Apostitize I say let him go. Cut the thread & the least we say about the Apostates or the officers of Government the Better
[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 - Jun 22, 1845
William Smith marries Mary Jane Rollins. He also marries Mary Ann Sheffield polygamously (for him) and polyandrously (for her). Mary Jane leaves him in August. Mary Ann considers the marriage at an end when he leaves Nauvoo later that year.
[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]
185 years ago today - 1840: 22 June
[Patriarchal Blessing of Simeon Dunn]
"... thou shalt speak before Kings and Nobles, and they shall be astonished at thee because of the power of God which is in thee. ... I seal thee up to eternal life, even so, Amen."
[Simeon A. Dunn patriarchal blessing, Given by Joseph Smith, Sen., from typescript; William L. Knecht Family Records. In Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
"... thou shalt speak before Kings and Nobles, and they shall be astonished at thee because of the power of God which is in thee. ... I seal thee up to eternal life, even so, Amen."
[Simeon A. Dunn patriarchal blessing, Given by Joseph Smith, Sen., from typescript; William L. Knecht Family Records. In Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
25 years ago today - Jun 21, 2000
[Hinckley]
Announced that the two-year Ricks College will begin phasing into a four-year institution to be known as Brigham Young University-Idaho
[LDS Newsroom, Time line of Significant Events as President, http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/time-line-of-significant-events-as-president]
Announced that the two-year Ricks College will begin phasing into a four-year institution to be known as Brigham Young University-Idaho
[LDS Newsroom, Time line of Significant Events as President, http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/time-line-of-significant-events-as-president]
90 years ago today - Jun 21, 1935
[David O. McKay]
After your letter of May 30 as read to the Council of First Presidency and Twelve yesterday there were expressions of surprise that 'of approximately 60 men who expressed themselves' upon the significance of the atonement, 'there were not more than a dozen who seemed to understand the double gift to the people of the world in the vicarious work of the Lord.' It seems incredible that so many missionaries have such a beclouded understanding of the atonement of the Lord as it affects individual and general salvation.
[David O. McKay, Letter to Joseph J. Cannon, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
After your letter of May 30 as read to the Council of First Presidency and Twelve yesterday there were expressions of surprise that 'of approximately 60 men who expressed themselves' upon the significance of the atonement, 'there were not more than a dozen who seemed to understand the double gift to the people of the world in the vicarious work of the Lord.' It seems incredible that so many missionaries have such a beclouded understanding of the atonement of the Lord as it affects individual and general salvation.
[David O. McKay, Letter to Joseph J. Cannon, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
95 years ago today - Jun 21, 1930
[Heber J. Grant]
After lunch Brother Guy C. Wilson called and read a chapter from a book that is being prepared along historical and religious lines for the seminaries. We approved of it and suggested that he make it even stronger. It was with regard to the faith of the leaders in early days in plural marriage. He said the idea was growing among the young people that the introduction of polygamy was a mistake. I read to him a list of the apostles at the time that Brother Lyman was president of the Quorum of the Twelve, and showed him that eight of them were the product of polygamy, that three were too old to have been born in polygamy, and only one of the entire twelve who was young enough to have been the product of polygamy, Matthias F. Cowley, was not the product of polygamy, and he lost his standing in the Council because of advocating the practise (Sic) of plural marriage after the Lord had said stop. It is a fine thing for the people to get it into their heads that when the Lord tells you to
do something and then tells you to quit doing it, he should be obeyed in both cases.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
After lunch Brother Guy C. Wilson called and read a chapter from a book that is being prepared along historical and religious lines for the seminaries. We approved of it and suggested that he make it even stronger. It was with regard to the faith of the leaders in early days in plural marriage. He said the idea was growing among the young people that the introduction of polygamy was a mistake. I read to him a list of the apostles at the time that Brother Lyman was president of the Quorum of the Twelve, and showed him that eight of them were the product of polygamy, that three were too old to have been born in polygamy, and only one of the entire twelve who was young enough to have been the product of polygamy, Matthias F. Cowley, was not the product of polygamy, and he lost his standing in the Council because of advocating the practise (Sic) of plural marriage after the Lord had said stop. It is a fine thing for the people to get it into their heads that when the Lord tells you to
do something and then tells you to quit doing it, he should be obeyed in both cases.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
125 years ago today - Jun 21, 1900; Thursday
the substance of which was from a letter of a missionary in the Southern states to his father in which the writer states that in common with the other missionaries had been requested to purchase two copies of the Book of Mormon now and agree to dispose of one every month, that is either to sell or give it away, and the reason assigned for this request was to get the price of the Book of Mormon down to fifty cents apiece. Also a request had been made of him, in common with other Elders to deposit $50. to his credit at the office at Chattanooga [Tennessee]; and the reason assigned for this is that if the missionary should take sick or had to be released suddenly he would have the means whereby he could go--for an elder cannot be released in honor except he is out of debt. The writer goes on to state that he regretted having to make this requirement of his father, but asked him to borrow it, and he would work to pay it back on his return home. ...
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
155 years ago today - Jun 21, 1870
Presidet Young spoke 20 Minuts [Richmond]. ...Now ye Elders of Israel lay up your grain for 2 years or 3 years if you Can & not make fools of yourselves & give your grain to your Enemies as you have before. Continue to lay up your grain untill you get 7 years supply. ... we should not depend upon the United States for our support for they are our Deadly Enemies & will do all they Can against us, & now any Elder that will go to our Enemies here to trade are of No use to us or the kingdom of God. They would destroy the kingdom of God if they Could. Cut off such men for they are of no use in the Church. Let them go to the pit....
Presidet Young spoke 20 [Smithfield]. He said I would rather have slept with Joseph Smith than to have lived to turn one honest Man from the Church of Christ.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Presidet Young spoke 20 [Smithfield]. He said I would rather have slept with Joseph Smith than to have lived to turn one honest Man from the Church of Christ.
[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 - Jun 21, 1845
[Patriarchal Blessing of William A. Beebe given by William Smith]
.... thou shalt have a peculiar desire to examine every apartment of the temple when it is finished and understand the order of its arrangements and all the blessings that belong to the enduement [a Masonic term/ "endowment"] ... and by visions and dreams thou Shalt be warned of marvellous events the gifts of wisdom and knowledge are thine and the discerning of Spirits and none shall have power to deceive thee by their cunning craft for in a most marvellous manner hast thou enjoyed the gift of the Spirit in times that are past and the wicked acts of men have been made known to thine understanding by which thou hast been delivered from their devices to destroy thee ... for by the highest authority in the church of God I seal thee up to eternal life and to a Salvation that is immortal and that shall never end in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
[Patriarchal Blessing of William A. Beebe given by William Smith]
.... thou shalt have a peculiar desire to examine every apartment of the temple when it is finished and understand the order of its arrangements and all the blessings that belong to the enduement [a Masonic term/ "endowment"] ... and by visions and dreams thou Shalt be warned of marvellous events the gifts of wisdom and knowledge are thine and the discerning of Spirits and none shall have power to deceive thee by their cunning craft for in a most marvellous manner hast thou enjoyed the gift of the Spirit in times that are past and the wicked acts of men have been made known to thine understanding by which thou hast been delivered from their devices to destroy thee ... for by the highest authority in the church of God I seal thee up to eternal life and to a Salvation that is immortal and that shall never end in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
[Patriarchal Blessing of William A. Beebe given by William Smith]
180 years ago today - Jun 21, 1845
[Patriarchal Blessing of Louisa B. Beebe given by William Smith]
.... thou shalt behold an Angel in the dark hours of the night and in a dream he shall appear dressed in white array and he shall be unto thee as the voice of Joseph thy doubts and fears shall be removed thou shalt behold him afar off beckoning for thee to come and the time shall come when thy desire shall be to depart. ... and if thou art tempted & at any time cast down thy guardian Angel which is appointed of God shall comfort thee and by a still small voice thou shalt rest thy Soul in sleep and waking hours and in the morning of the first Resurrection thou shalt wake never to sleep again the sleep of death and the blessing of an eternal Salvation a crown that never fadeth away and a glory that is celestial I seal upon thine head in the name of Jesus Christ Amen
[Patriarchal Blessing of Louisa B. Beebe given by William Smith]
.... thou shalt behold an Angel in the dark hours of the night and in a dream he shall appear dressed in white array and he shall be unto thee as the voice of Joseph thy doubts and fears shall be removed thou shalt behold him afar off beckoning for thee to come and the time shall come when thy desire shall be to depart. ... and if thou art tempted & at any time cast down thy guardian Angel which is appointed of God shall comfort thee and by a still small voice thou shalt rest thy Soul in sleep and waking hours and in the morning of the first Resurrection thou shalt wake never to sleep again the sleep of death and the blessing of an eternal Salvation a crown that never fadeth away and a glory that is celestial I seal upon thine head in the name of Jesus Christ Amen
[Patriarchal Blessing of Louisa B. Beebe given by William Smith]
195 years ago today - 1830 Jun 21
Sales of BoM in Fayette enable Joseph Smith to pay interest to Isaac Hale
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]
70 years ago today - Jun 20, 1955
[First Presidency]
.... It should be understood that wives of non-member husbands should not be recommended to the temple to receive their endowments. If they have previously had their endowments, then temple recommends might be issued to them provided they are in every way worthy, but even in such an event it is recommended that the wife receive the written consent of the husband before the recommend is issued. Worthy female members of the Church who are married to husbands who are not worthy to go to the temple must secure the written consent of their husbands, and in addition, the branch president or mission president should interview the husband to satisfy himself that there is no objection on his part to his wife's receiving her endowments in the temple. It is not necessary that worthy brethren receive the consent of their wives, whether the wives be non-members or unworthy of temple recommends, in order that they may be recommended to the temple for their own endowments or to do other ordinance
work.
[David O. McKay, Stephen L. Richards, and J. Reuben Clark Jr. to Presidents of Missions in Europe, June 20, 1955, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
.... It should be understood that wives of non-member husbands should not be recommended to the temple to receive their endowments. If they have previously had their endowments, then temple recommends might be issued to them provided they are in every way worthy, but even in such an event it is recommended that the wife receive the written consent of the husband before the recommend is issued. Worthy female members of the Church who are married to husbands who are not worthy to go to the temple must secure the written consent of their husbands, and in addition, the branch president or mission president should interview the husband to satisfy himself that there is no objection on his part to his wife's receiving her endowments in the temple. It is not necessary that worthy brethren receive the consent of their wives, whether the wives be non-members or unworthy of temple recommends, in order that they may be recommended to the temple for their own endowments or to do other ordinance
work.
[David O. McKay, Stephen L. Richards, and J. Reuben Clark Jr. to Presidents of Missions in Europe, June 20, 1955, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
85 years ago today - Jun 20, 1940
[Heber J. Grant]
We afterwards called on the widow of [disfellowshipped apostle] Matthias Cowley at the home on West Temple Street.
May Edwards was very appreciative of our call and so also was Sister Cowley.
I assured Sister Cowley that I was very pleased that Mattie had finally confessed that he had done wrong at the time he was performing plural marriages after the Manifesto. I told her if he had been willing to confess ten years ago that he had done wrong I would have been perfectly willing for him to have been permitted to do temple work, etc. She said she had never heard of that and was very glad to know it. I am thinking some of going to the funeral tomorrow, but perhaps it would not be wise.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
We afterwards called on the widow of [disfellowshipped apostle] Matthias Cowley at the home on West Temple Street.
May Edwards was very appreciative of our call and so also was Sister Cowley.
I assured Sister Cowley that I was very pleased that Mattie had finally confessed that he had done wrong at the time he was performing plural marriages after the Manifesto. I told her if he had been willing to confess ten years ago that he had done wrong I would have been perfectly willing for him to have been permitted to do temple work, etc. She said she had never heard of that and was very glad to know it. I am thinking some of going to the funeral tomorrow, but perhaps it would not be wise.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
130 years ago today - Jun 20, 1895
[Wilford Woodruff]
The Apostles Dedicated a Bottle of Oil from Palestine then Anointed me & Blessed me for my Breathing.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The Apostles Dedicated a Bottle of Oil from Palestine then Anointed me & Blessed me for my Breathing.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Jun 20, 1890
George M. Brown, a polygamist lawyer who had moved to the Mexican colonies to avoid arrest, warns the First Presidency that "international difficulty" could result if U.S. authorities learned of the plural marriages Alexander F. Macdonald is performing in Mexico for U.S. citizens who were returning to the United States.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
140 years ago today - Jun 20, 1885
Elizabeth Ann Starkey is brought in as a witness against Charles S. White by federal officers investigating polygamy. On refusing to answer the question, "Have you ever in this country, within the last two years, occupied the same bed with defendant?" she was sentenced to one day's imprisonment and a fine of $50, and placed in the custody of the United States marshal until payment. On Jun 22 she again declined to answer, and was fined $100 and committed until payment. On Jun 24 she refused to answer similar personal questions to the grand jury, and was committed to the penitentiary until Aug 21, but was again imprisoned and kept till Oct 6.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
140 years ago today - Sat. June 20th, 1885
[Abraham H. Cannon]
Attended a special meeting at President's office "where a society was organized which could hold the Social Hall and prevent outsiders from seizing and confiscating it as Church Property." "I attended another meeting at which the county and city Bishops were present to prepare for holding Church property." "Our enemies are now preparing to attack our property with a view to robbing us of our goods as well as our liberty."
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
Attended a special meeting at President's office "where a society was organized which could hold the Social Hall and prevent outsiders from seizing and confiscating it as Church Property." "I attended another meeting at which the county and city Bishops were present to prepare for holding Church property." "Our enemies are now preparing to attack our property with a view to robbing us of our goods as well as our liberty."
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
180 years ago today - Jun 20, 1845
[Heber C. Kimball]
My Father in heaven I feel greatfull to The[e] for Thy kindness, for Thou dost bless me and mine and Thy name shall have all the glory Amen. We stopt reding at 2 Oclock in the after noon. My wife wors[e]. I sent for Sister Whitney, she com. We Clothed our selves [in temple robes], and Anointed hur and praid. The Lord hurd. She was beter.
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
My Father in heaven I feel greatfull to The[e] for Thy kindness, for Thou dost bless me and mine and Thy name shall have all the glory Amen. We stopt reding at 2 Oclock in the after noon. My wife wors[e]. I sent for Sister Whitney, she com. We Clothed our selves [in temple robes], and Anointed hur and praid. The Lord hurd. She was beter.
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
185 years ago today - Jun 20, 1840
Joseph Smith asks to be released as land agent for Nauvoo in order to concentrate on his religious and prophetic duties. He asks the High Council "That when he is relieved from such temporal duties he would have no means of support whatever and and requested that some one might be appointed to see that all his necessary wants are provided for, as well as, sufficient means or appropriations for a Clerk or Clerks which he may require to aid him in his important work."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
195 years ago today - Jun 20, 1830
Joseph Smith's wife Emma is baptized by Oliver Cowdery.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
195 years ago today - Jun 20, 1830
According to Abner Cole, Mormons held a "disorderly meeting on Sunday [20 June] evening at the MARKET" where "one of JO'S greatest apostles, gave decided tokens of entire approbation".
[Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
[Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
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