TODAY IN CHURCH HISTORY: 08 September

[Hemidakota]

1834 - At a conference of Elders held in New Portage, Ohio, the Prophet Joseph spoke on several subjects including false spirits and the gift of tongues. He explained that the gift of tongues "was particularly instituted for the preaching of the Gospel to other nations and languages, but it was not given for the government of the Church" (History of the Church, 2:162).

1838 - News arrived in Far West that a mob was preparing to attack Adam-ondi-Ahman. A few of the brethren from Far West headed to Adam-ondi-Ahman to assist the members of the Church living there in defending themselves. (History of the Church, 3:74)

1842 - The Prophet Joseph writes a letter to James Arlington Bennett, in answer to his letter, explaining his feelings towards John C. Bennett and his forthcoming anti-Mormon book. He discusses his love for his fellowman, his willingness to die for his rights, expresses his thanks for Mr. Bennett's kindness. He writes, "My fear, sir, is before God. I fear to offend Him, and strive to keep His commandments" (History of the Church, 5:157).

1857 - Captain Stewart Van Vliet, quartermaster for Johnston's Army, arrives in Salt Lake City to speak with Brigham Young. After being favorably impressed with the Saints, he later leaves for Washington to use his influence in favor of the Saints.

1873 - David O. McKay, ninth President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is born in Huntsville, Utah.

1893 - The Mormon Tabernacle Choir wins the $1,000 second prize at the singing contest held at the World's Fair in Chicago, Illinois.

1898 - President Wilford Woodruff's funeral is held in the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, Utah.

1940 - Elder Quentin L. Cook ,of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, is born in Logan, Utah.

1951 - Colleen Kay Hutchins, a Brigham Young University graduate and a graduate student at the University of Utah, wins the Silver Anniversary Miss America Pageant, becoming the first Latter-day Saint Miss America.

1980 - In a ceremony in Jerusalem, Yitzhak Navon, president of Israel, presents Church member Dr. Henry Eyring the Wolf Prize, considered by some as second only to the Nobel Prize, for his contributions to the field of chemistry.

1998 - President Gordon B. Hinckley appears on CNN's Larry King Live television program.

2001 - A wagon train left Spanish Fork, Utah, bound for San Bernardino, California, to commemorate the 1851 trek of Latter-day Saints who settled San Bernardino. The wagon train would arrive on October 25.

2002 - The Hague Netherlands Temple was dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley.

2007 - Church members Dale and Donna Chapman of Victorville California were named California's Great-Grandparents of the Year by the California Grandparents Council.

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