Several curious tidbits that happened on this day in Mormon History
[Franklin D. Richards]
Heard sisters Zina [Diantha Huntington Smith Young] Jane [S. Richards] & Bathsheba [W. Smith] interview Pres[iden]t GQC [George Q. Cannon] use Assembly Hall next Sat & evening for RS conference & in politics select "the best men."
[Diary Excerpts of Franklin D. Richards, 1887-1897, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Wilford Woodruff]
25 A vary rough morning. All sea sick. We stoped at Manitou Island. Cooked dinner on land & lay by the wharf untill sun set 4 oclok & started on the journey untill 12 oclock at night when a (tre-mendious storm & wind arose) which made the lake as rough as it could be by the force of wind & such a seenery as quickly followed I never before witnessed in all my travels either by sea or land on water or earth. The captain of the Chesepeak, with other officers, hands & passengers mostly expected to go to the bottom to have Judged from outward appearances. I should think here was twenty Chances of being lost to one of being saved. Yet I did not once expect during the whole seenery to be lost for I expected & felt that the Lord would Save us from a watery grave by some means.
We were about 40 miles from land at about 12 o-clock at night when I was awoke from a Sound sweet sleep in my birth by the cry of some one saying we shall all be lost. The first thought that entered my mind was I make No calculations on being lost. I however leaped out of my birth onto my feet & went on to the upper deck. I immediately saw we were in eminant danger of being wrecked. The wind blew almost a Huricane & the waves were running over her bow in a dreadful manner. The boat was rather heavy loaded.
Their was about 300 passengers on board with a large quantity of luggage & Jack Asses. Some geese & piggs were standing on the bow of the boat. Next to them was 40 cords of wood piled up. This with other loading kept the bow down in such a manner that it was judged their was 50 tons of water on her bow deck at a time. At one time the bow run under water & some thought she would never right.
One wave that broke over set the Asses afloat broke the petetion between them & the steerage cabin & washed two of the Asses down. Threw [them] into the births among men woman & Children. It killed one of the Asses in the fall. The Asses & water together drove all the steerage passengers out of their Cabin on deck.
About this time while the boat was labouring hard against wind & water she broke one of her wheel chains. I then herd the cry all is lost. But about 30 of us passengers caught hold of the two detatched ends of the chain & held them together untill they were mended with ropes.
The bote lay partly upon her side. It tore up the floor & broke down the births in the steerage state rooms oposite of us & we expected evry moment ours would share the same fate. In one instance the waves broke over the upper deck. It took four men to manage the wheel. They tried to turn the boat three times but could not untill day light when it was accomplished & returned to the manitau Island at about 3 o-clock being about 24 hours in the gale.
They again took on 40 cords of wood as they had flung 20 cords overboard in the storm to lighten the bow of the boat. Orders were given to that effect.
We remained at the Manitau Island untill next morning. I felt thankful to God to once more get my foot on land. I felt that the Lord herd our prayrs & deliverd us. Their was praying, crying, singing & swaring at the same time in the mids of the storm. It was a trying time to all.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Nauvoo Temple]
About two hundred individuals gathered as Joseph Smith supervised the placement of items in a cavity in the southeast cornerstone before it was sealed.. A sister wrote that the cavity "was cut out a square about a foot around and about as deep lined with zinc." The Prophet placed in it "a Bible, a Book of Mormon, hymn book, and other Church works along with silver money that had been coined in that year." Another brother stated that when the bible was presented " it was thought necessary that it should be complete-- containing the Apocrypha." When a suitable Bible could not be located nearby, Reynolds Cahoon raced home, cut out the Apocrypha from his large family Bible and brought the sheets back, making the book complete. This brother also mentioned that the Prophet approved the placement of certain books, periodicals, and coins. When someone offered a paper with a poem on, he had it read allowed, "See saw, Margery Daw, Sold her bed and laid in the straw." The Prophet rejected the it, "so the poor poem was left out in the cold."
[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
[Brigham Young Jr.]
Pres[iden]t Woodruff said before I left, "we must do something to save our Temples." Some one may ask Can't God save them? I answer yes, & you might even now be redeemed had the people obeyed the counsel our leaders were inspired to give them in the past. I will do whatever my leaders counsel, but, the base thought of taking clemency from U.S.A. that has destroyed the prophets and has thrust us out to perish, pains me more than I can tell. Don't think it hurts me more than it does Joseph F. to surrender [he has just received word of Joseph F. Smith s pardon by President Harrison] and I thank God he is free to go before the people. The First Presidency should be there before all men, and the Twelve follow. Spare me Father; but thy will be done not mine.
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Presidt Young spoke 58 Minuts. He said a Man may Embrace the Law of Celestial Marriage in his heart & not take the Second wife & be justified before the Lord.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Due to report that Stephen A. Douglas has called Utah's Mormons "an ulcer on the body politic," Deseret News publishes Joseph Smith's 1843 prophecy: "Judge [Douglas], you will aspire to the Presidency of the United States," with his warning of failure if he turns against Mormons. Douglas is defeated for presidency in 1860; dies next year.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
A First Presidency letter, "effective immediately," ending "missionary farewells" in LDS meetings. The letter asks local officers "that you counsel families against holding receptions for departing missionaries." Without a single reference to war, this letter responds to the disparity of holding joyous farewells for young missionaries, while also conducting funerals for young men who are drafted to serve in Vietnam without opportunity to serve a mission.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[J. Reuben Clark]
Told Henry Smith about a woman representing herself to be a granddaughter of Pres. Clark getting a watch worth $300 from a Mr. Jensen at Boyd Park Jewelers under false pretenses. Suggested they carry a story in the News warning the people of this type of thing, without using Pres. Clark's name. There were other instances, Mrs. Adam Bennion's name being used to charge things. ...
Mr. H. Scott Johnston called again (he telephoned a few weeks ago to try to see Pres. Clark) and wanted an appointment. He is trying to set up an organization to fight Communism....
Told Helen Barton, that Pres. Clark said he did not say at Ensign Stake Confl that we would be at war with Russia within the year, that he does not make set date predictions.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
[Rudger Clawson]
I read Sec. 24, D.&C., and made remarks on the great importance of listening to the voice of the priesthood and giving heed thereto, otherwise the Lord would send a cursing instead of a blessing. ...
Pres. Jno. W. Hess made concluding remarks and spoke in great power. He blessed me by the power of the priesthood and said that the spirit of the apostleship rested upon me. He prophesied that I should become a mighty man in Israel. Testified that I was called by the Lord to the apostleship and that the spirit of it would rest upon me greatly and abundantly. Said that I should live long upon the earth. Thus ended a very interesting and profitable conference, and one from which it was hoped much good fruit would be borne.
[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]
[John D. T. McAllister]
Said, some time ago, on account of an expected raid by our enemies, the Temple was closed and the records taken away, and transcripts of work done could not be given. He could not lay his hands on them, but they are in a safe keeping. [He] felt the time would soon arrive when we can have access to the records again and accomodate the Saints. Said the word is now given, that those who come into this Temple must keep the Word of Wisdom. Wines, liquors &c are good in sickness and should be kept in the house for medicine but not [as] beverages; they are forbidden.
[Temple Minute Book, St. George, Sept. 22, 1886, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
Brother Brigham said it was the word of the Lord to us to wean ourselves from the world and strive with all our might to become one with Christ as He is one with the Father. Touched on the absurdity of following after the Gentiles and their fashions. Said the Lord would just as soon bless us in an old tow frock as arrayed in silks and purple. It was not the outside he looked at but the heart of a person. Said that he looked upon good common sense as the greatest blessing as an individual could have. Gave us some God like exhortations pertaining to our duties. -- Salt Lake City
[Diary of Charles Lowell Walker. Andrew Karl Larson, ed. Logan: Utah State University Press, 1980. 199, 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]
The first legislature of Utah Territory convened in G.S.L. City and organized by electing Heber C. Kimball president of the Council, and Wm. W. Phelps speaker of the House.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Franklin D. Richards]
B[isho]p. W[illiam]. B. Preston called with [Apostle] M[oses]. Thatcher Jr. & informed us that Apostle M. Thatcher has now spent 27 out of 60 days in treatment by an expert in the Keely cure necessary to overcome the Morphine habit & asked that brother M[oses]. T[hatcher]. may be permitted to continue undisturbed in his treatment until the 60 days expire; which was most cordially granted. Pres[iden]t. L[orenzo] Snow, concurred.
[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]
[Wilford Woodruff to John Henry Smith]
Elder John Henry Smith
One of the Twelve Apostles
Dear Brother,
The condition of many of the saints in Arizona in Connection with their marriages has been brought to the attention of the First Presidency. We understand that there are many couples in that Territory who are prevented by poverty and other circumstances from going to the Temple to have their sealing and that many of the children are being born out of the Covenant [to parents who have not been sealed for time and eternity] because of this.
... we have decided to authorize you, as one of the Apostles, to dedicate rooms which are now used for prayer according to the holy order [of the temple ceremonies], and in those rooms solemnize marriages such as are properly recommended, and which are of the class referred to, that is, marriages of those who are unable through poverty or some other various impediment, to go to the Temple of the Lord to be sealed for time and for eternity.... I remain your brother
Wilford Woodruff
Form of Marriage
Brother, you take Sister —- by the right hand and receive her unto yourself to be your lawfull wedded wife, for time and for all eternity. With the Covenant and promise that you will observe and keep all the laws, rites and ordinances appertaining to this holy order of matrimony in the new and everlasting Covenant [of eternal marriage]. This you do in the presence of God, angels and these witnesses, of your own free will and choice. Do you? Yes! [Repeated for woman.]
By virtue of the holy Priesthood and Authority invested in me, I pronounce you legally and lawfully husband and wife, for time and all eternity.
I seal upon you the blessings of the holy resurrection with power to come forth in the morning of the first resurrection clothed with glory, immortality and eternal lives. And I seal upon you the blessings of Kingdoms, thrones, principalities, powers dominions and exaltations with the blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And I say unto you, be fruitfull and multiply and replenish the earth that you may have joy and rejoicing in your posterity in the day of the Lord Jesus Christ.
All these blessings, together with all appertaining to the new and everlasting covenant, I seal upon your heads, through your faithfullness by virtue of the holy priesthood and in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, Amen.
Kiss each other...
[Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
Brigham Young's "destroying angel" William A. "Wild Bill" Hickman falls down and accidentally shoots himself in the liver when his gun discharges. He lives for twenty-two more years and omits this incident from his memoirs that are written before his execution.
President Hinckley was among 26 religious leaders who met at the White House in Washington, D.C., with U.S. President George W. Bush regarding the terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington D.C., on Sept. 11, 2001.
[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]
In John D. Lee's second trial - he is convicted of murder for his part in the Mountain Meadows Massacre. The jury deliberates for 3 hours and 45 minutes. Unlike at his first trial where no faithful LDS testified for the prosecution, many now testified against Lee including Daniel H. Wells (second counselor to Brigham Young), and massacre participants Nephi Johnson (Lieutenant in Nauvoo Legion who lead killing of women and children), Jacob Hamblin (president of Southern Indian Mission). Johnson and Hamblin perjure themselves and put all blame on Lee. Judge Jacob S. Boremon allowed the all-Mormon jury to be informed that Wells's presence indicated that the LDS church supported the prosecution. Juror Andrew Correy quoted the Book of Mormon to justify his guilty vote: "Some one had to be sacrificed, so at last I gave in-.Better for one man to die than for a whole nation to dwindle in unbelief." But he says of his guilty vote that finally made it unanimous, "I felt miserable, just as though the devil had some power over me."
[Brigham Young]
When I see the suffering that this people are enduring from the conduct of professed Christians I feel more like fighting & swearing than preaching. ... if any man wants to go & join the mob I hope He will get marked so as to stay marked untill the resurrection.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Joseph F. Smith]
"I know that God is a being with body, parts, and passions and that his Son is in his own likeness, and that man is created in the image of God. The Son, Jesus Christ, grew and developed into manhood the same as you or I, as likewise did God, his father grow and develop to the Supreme Being that he now is. Man was born of woman; Christ the Savior, was born of woman; and God, the Father, was born of woman. Adam, our earthly parent, was also born of woman into this world, the same as Jesus and you and I."
[Deseret Evening News, December 27, 1919, Section 3, p. 7, Remarks by Pres. Joseph F. Smith, quoted in Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthly Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]
[Marriner W. Merrill]
Terrific wind last night blew ... all the tin from the Temple roof, damage not less than $600.00 to the Temple. I went to Lewiston, back to Richmond, and on to Logan. Found 67 large trees blown down on Temple Block and the tin off the roof.
[Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Patriarchal Blessing of Margaret Rigby RosKelley by John L. Smith]
... thou shalt ... see Zion redeemed and peace established in all her borders, thy Joy shall be full, thousands shall be fed at thy table and many will hail thee mother, and bear thy name in honorable rememberence [remembrance] to the latest generation, thy sons and thy daughters mighty and numerous, thy words, words of wisdom to all thou dost associate with in the absence of thy companion thy Guardian Angel will shisper [whisper] to thee of his prosperity and tell thee which way to turn. ... Thou shalt behold thy Saviour decend [desend] in the clouds of heaven in great glory and rejoice with him in company with thy kindred ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]