TODAY IN CHURCH HISTORY: 11 September

[Hemidakota]

1831 - The Prophet Joseph Smith receives the revelation known as Doctrine and Covenants 64, which gives instructions to the Saints concerning forgiveness, the future of Zion, and contains the promise "he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming." (History of the Church, 1:211-214)

1833 - As a result of the mob action in Jackson County, Missouri, that destroyed the Church press, the Prophet Joseph and the brethren announce that the Church publication-The Evening and Morning Star and the Latter-day Saints' Messenger and Advocate-will be published in Kirtland, Ohio. (History of the Church, 1:409)

1838 - The Kirtland Camp continues its journey across Indiana, traveling sixteen miles on this day. Sickness is beginning to enter the camp. They have traveled 510 miles from Kirtland, Ohio, on their way to Missouri to join with the Saints there.

1843 - Lieutenant-General Joseph Smith appointed William W. Phelps, Henry Miller, and Hosea Stout as a committed to contact Governor Ford about obtaining "public arms" from the state for use by the Nauvoo Legion. In the evening, the Prophet Joseph met with Hyrum Smith, William Law, Newel K. Whitney, and Willard Richards, in private where they prayed for "Brother Law's little daughter, who was sick, and Emma, who was somewhat better" (History of the Church, 6:31).

1846 - Brigham Young and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles formally select the site for Winter Quarters as the main winter encampment of the Saints. This becomes the first city in the future state of Nebraska. The site in now located in Florence, Nebraska.

1851 - The first missionary arrives in Norway.

1857 - In a quiet valley in the Southwestern Utah mountains, the Mountain Meadows Massacre takes place. During a time of heightened anxiety and fears with the U.S. Army approaching Utah, an emigrant wagon train from Arkansas and Missouri traveled through Utah. While camped at Mountain Meadows, a group Latter-day Saint men and Indians attacked the wagon train under a flag of truce and killed 120 members of the group. Only a small group of children were spared. This event is the darkest day in Utah and Latter-day Saint history.

1955 - The Bern Switzerland Temple is dedicated by President David O. McKay.

1999 - President Gordon B. Hinckley dedicates a monument at Mountain Meadows honoring the 120 people killed in the Mountain Meadow Massacre.

2007 - Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve read a Church statement expressing regret for the events of the Mountain Meadows Massacre during a memorial service held at the site of the massacre in southwestern Utah on the 150th anniversary of the tragedy.

LatterdayReviews

[Misshalfway]

Thank you, Hemi, for highlighting other events of church history that don't have to do with Joseph and the supposed controversies in his life. It is a breath of fresh air and a return to balance.

[Elphaba]

Thank you, Hemi, for highlighting other events of church history that don't have to do with Joseph and the supposed controversies in his life. It is a breath of fresh air and a return to balance.

If someone makes a statement that is historically innacurate, I am going to say so, regardless if it's about Joseph or not.

There is no "balance" in history. It's gritty and raw and inspiring and ugly and poignant and heartbreaking and bloody and deadly, and all characters play a part in this.

Also, because Joseph was the prophet, and the leader of the church every day of his adult life, of course I am going to discuss him more than other people in the Church's history.

When I asked Heather if she would create this forum, it was so the historical aspects of the Church could be discussed without worrying about it being faith-promoting.

I thought I was doing people a favor. For example, I realized that too often someone would start a thread about his respect for Joseph, but eventually someone would post a historical inaccuracy. Then I, or someone else, would write a post correcting it, and soon the thread devolved into a history discussion when that was never the OP's intent.

So I asked Heather if she would create this forum where we could discuss history without the faith-promoting whitewashing. I, or anyone else, could bring the inaccurate post here and discuss it, and the poster's intent would not be lost.

I have loved Hemi's "This day in Mormon History." But there have been some historical innacuracies in them, including the issue of Nancy Rigdon and the Happiness essay. And just like I did then, if in the future I see another innacuracy, I will address it.

I understand this is difficult for you--I got that from the Happiness thread. So, and I say this with no sarcasm, in the future you probably shouldn't read my posts, as they will not contain the balance you are looking for.

Elphaba

[Misshalfway]

Wow, Elph. You are certainly jumping to light speed here with your assumptions.

I am not saying anything against you or your posts or historical interests. I am just saying it is nice to learn about other events too. Such much emphasis is placed on Joseph and the minute to minute actions of his life. I just think it would be nice to hear about .... say.....Wilford or Heber. Wonder if they feel left out.

:)

[Elphaba]

Wow, Elph. You are certainly jumping to light speed here with your assumptions.

I am not saying anything against you or your posts or historical interests. I am just saying it is nice to learn about other events too. Such much emphasis is placed on Joseph and the minute to minute actions of his life. I just think it would be nice to hear about .... say.....Wilford or Heber. Wonder if they feel left out.

:)

Well, wow, did I blow that one!

I really am very sorry for jumping to conclusions, and I agree a new subject would be a good direction. Honestly, I hadn't thought of that, as I've been so involved in reading about Joseph. So point taken.

Willford or Heber. Coming up!

Or perhaps some Porter Rockwell?

Elphaba

[Misshalfway]

Porter, yes!!!! And a little Heber C. Kimball never hurt anyone. :)

[Hemidakota]

I was watching Geographic Channel and noted the bitterness from a few people. I was also amazed, in listening to a claimed historian, that this was the second worse massacre in this country history [911 was the first]. I laughed and turned to another channel....:)