TODAY IN CHURCH HISTORY: December

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01 December

1830 - The Prophet Joseph Smith receives by revelation what is known today as Moses 6:2-19 in the Pearl of Great Price.

1831 - The Prophet Joseph Smith receives Doctrine and Covenants 71, which instructs the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon to temporarily cease working on the translation of the Bible and to spend their time counteracting the teachings of Ezra Booth, who had begun publishing false statements about Joseph Smith and the Church. (History of the Church, 1:238-239)

1833 - About this time, Oliver Cowdery and Newel K. Whitney arrive in Kirtland, Ohio, with a new press and type to be used to print Church books and periodicals, along with other materials needed by the Saints.

1834 - The Prophet writes in his history that the school for the Elders was being well attended. The text for these theology classes, taught by the Prophet Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, would later be prepared for publication by the Prophet and included with the Doctrine and Covenants for many years. Today they published separately as the Lectures on Faith. (History of the Church, 2:175-176)

1838 - The Prophet Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, Caleb Baldwin, and Alexander McRae arrive at, and are incarcerated in, Liberty Jail, Liberty, Missouri. A meeting between the representatives of the Saints and the citizens of Daviess County was held at Adam-Ondi-Ahman. An agreement was reached in which the Saints could hire teamsters to help haul their property out of the state and also to gather their stock in the county to take with them. Some time in December Heber C. Kimball and Alanson Ripley were appointed, by the brethren still living in Far West, to visit the Prophet at Liberty Jail as often as they could to keep him informed of the movement of the Saints from Missouri. The Prophet later records that "We were sometimes visited by our friends, whose kindness and attention I shall ever remember with feelings of lively gratitude" (History of the Church, 3:244).

1844 - Elder Parley P. Pratt was appointed to go to New York City, New York, to take leadership of the Church Press, the immigration of Saints from Europe, and all the eastern branches of the Church.

1970 - The last issues of five Church magazines, the Children's Friend (published by the Primary organization), the Relief Society Magazine, the Instructor (published by the Sunday School), the Improvement Era (originally published by the MIA but later became the general Church magazine), and Impact (published by the seminaries and institutes), are released.

1998 - The Church announces a proposal to purchase the section of Main Street from North Temple to South Temple and convert it into a plaza that would unite Temple Square with the Church Office Building block. It would include gardens, walkways, fountains, and an underground parking area. Also, LDS Senator Harry Reid of Nevada is named minority whip in the U.S. Senate.

1999 - The First Presidency sent a letter to Priesthood leaders, restating the "long-standing counsel to members of the Church to remain in their homelands rather than immigrate to the United States.

2006 - The December issue of The Atlantic Monthly magazine lists the 100 most influential figures in U.S. History. The Prophet Joseph Smith, # 52, and his successor, Brigham Young, #74, were on the list that included political, social, cultural, scientific, and other individuals that have influenced American life.

Edited March 4, 2009 by Gwen

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1835 - Being a "fine morning," the Prophet Joseph took his family for a sleigh ride to visit sister Harriet Howe at Painesville. While passing through Mentor Street they came upon another sleigh and the Prophet politely asked them to let them pass. As they let the Prophet pass they called out, "Do you get any revelations lately?" The Prophet states "this is a fair sample of the character of Mentor Street inhabitants, who are ready to abuse and scandalize men who never laid a straw in their way." The Prophet and his family continue on to Painesville where he leaves his wife and children to visit with Sister Howe while he and his scribe rode into town to do some business. After dinner at the Howe's, the Prophet and his family return to Kirtland. "Had a fine ride-sleighing good, weather pleasant" (History of the Church, 2:323-324).

1843 - The Prophet Joseph spent the day in the assembly room over his store. Several brethren were given their endowments and instructed in the Priesthood. About 35 persons were present on this occasion.

1845 - With the attic now dedicated, Brigham Young spent the day, and the next several days, in the Nauvoo Temple making preparations, preparing the rooms, etc. for the giving of the endowment.

1856 - About sixty wagons and teams leave Salt Lake City, Utah, to meet the wagon companies led by Captains Hodgett and Hunt that had accompanied the Martin and Willie handcart companies.

1902 - President Joseph F. Smith issues a public report to the Associated Press supporting Reed Smoot's election to the U. S. Senate and indicates the charges against Smoot are unfounded.

1982 - Making medical history, Dr. William DeVries implants the first artificial heart into a human, Barney Clark. Both Dr. DeVries and Barney Clark are members of the Church.

1983 - The Mexico City D. F. Mexico Temple is dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley of the First Presidency.

1989 - Church membership reaches seven million.

2006 - Church member, Atom Sogoian, took first place in the Bulgaria National Fencing Championship held in Plovdiv.

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1831 - Stating that "the time had come that the Gospel should be proclaimed in power and demonstration to the world," Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon traveled from Hiram, to Kirtland, Ohio, in order to follow the instructions of the revelation received on December 1 known today as Doctrine and Covenants 71. (History of the Church, 1:239.)

1835 - The Prophet Joseph spent the day at home with his family and in writing letters. In the evening, he and Emma attended a wedding, which the Prophet performed, between Warren Parrish and Martha Raymond. Closed the service with singing and prayer. After refreshments, they returned home, "having spent the evening very agreeably" (History of the Church, 2:324).

1843 - Hyrum Smith was injured when he slipped and turned the knee-joint backward and sprained the large muscle of his leg. Emma was also unwell. The Prophet Joseph spent part of the day attending to them. An assembly was held in the upper room of the Prophets store where prayers were offered in behalf of the sick in the community. The Prophet also instructed those present in the things of the Priesthood. (History of the Church, 6:98)

1851 - The first baptisms in New South Wales, Australia, take place at Sydney.

1898 - The first issue of the Latter-day Saints' Southern Star, a weekly Church periodical, is published in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

1940 - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is born in St. George, Utah.

1962 - The first Spanish-speaking stake in the Church is organized in Mexico City. Mexico.

1999 - Craig D. Jessop is appointed music director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, replacing Jerold D. Ottley, who later retires after leading the Choir for twenty-five years.

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1831 - The Prophet Joseph Smith receives Doctrine and Covenants 72, which appoints Newel K. Whitney to be a bishop of the Church in Kirtland, Ohio, and sets forth various responsibilities of bishops in the Church. (History of the Church, 1:239-241)

1835 - The Prophet Joseph was visited by a John Hollister, of Portage County, Ohio, who came to discuss religion. The Prophet spent all evening with him and he stayed with the Prophet that night. The next morning he admitted that while he thought he knew a lot about religion, he now realized that he knew very little. The Prophet wrote that it was "the greatest trait of wisdom I could discover in him." (History of the Church, 2:325)

1842 - The city of Nauvoo is divided into ten wards and a bishop is assigned to each ward. They are given the responsibility of providing for the temporal needs of the poor in their respective wards.

1961 - The first twenty-nine missionaries enter the Missionary Language Institute (MLI), the forerunner of the Language Training Mission (LTM) and the Missionary Training Center (MTC), in Provo, Utah.

2005 - A new five-story meetinghouse is dedicated in Harlem, New York, the first meetinghouse of the Church in the city.

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2005 - A new five-story meetinghouse is dedicated in Harlem, New York, the first meetinghouse of the Church in the city.

This is inaccurate and possibly misleading. Harlem is not a city, it is a neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. One could understand it to mean that it was the first meetinghouse in Harlem or the first meeting house in New York City, the former is true, the latter is not true as there have been meeting houses in other parts of New York City long before 2005.

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Interesting..thanks.

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1833 - The Prophet Joseph writes a letter to the brethren in Missouri after learning that the mob had forced the Saints from their homes in Jackson County. He encourages them to not sell their property, but seek redress from the civil authorities and prosecute the mob to the extent of the law. He encourages the Saints to help each other and not murmur at the dealings of God with His children. He reminds them of the ancient Prophets and Apostles and what they had to go through in the name of righteousness. "We know not what we shall be called to pass through before Zion is delivered and established; therefore, we have great need to live near to God, and always to be in strict obedience to all His commandments, that we may have a conscience void of offense toward God and man" (History of the Church, 1:450).

1834 - Directed by revelation, Oliver Cowdery was ordained Assistant President of Church by the Prophet Joseph Smith. (History of the Church, 2:176)

1839 - The Prophet Joseph Smith wrote a letter to Hyrum Smith and the high council at Nauvoo reporting on his efforts in Washington D. C.. In his letter he shares the experience of meeting with President Van Buren and meeting with members of the House of Representatives. He expresses his disappointment in the leaders elected by the people and their "pomposity and show" and "a display of folly and show, more than substance and gravity" (History of the Church, 4:40-41).

1841 - The Prophet Joseph begins to proof read the new edition of the Book of Mormon in preparation for printing of what is known as the Nauvoo edition. (History of the Church, 4:468)

1847 - The Council of Twelve Apostles met at Elder Orson Hyde's home during the evening. After remarks from several of the brethren, Brigham Young was unanimously chosen to be President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His chosen counselors, Elders Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards, were also approved by the Twelve. It would be about three weeks before the general conference of the Church would sustain the decision of the Twelve to reorganize the First Presidency.

1903 - The Harper's Weekly, a U. S. national newspaper, defends Elder Reed Smoot on his worthiness to be seated following his election to the United States Senate.

1990 - Ty Detmer, Church member and BYU quarterback, receives the Heisman Trophy from the New York Downtown Athletic Club, recognizing him as the best college football player in America.

1993 - Brazil becomes the second country outside the United States to have one hundred stakes when the Sao Leopoldo Brazil Stake is organized.

1998 - Two thousand Christmas food baskets, valued at $60,000 Australian dollars, were donated to the Salvation Army in New South Wales, Australia, to be distributed to the needy. The baskets were paid for with revenues from the Church's agriculture property in Australia.

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1832 - The Prophet Joseph Smith receives Doctrine and Covenants 86, which contains an additional scriptural application to the parable of the wheat and tares. (History of the Church, 1:300)

1833 - The Saints in Missouri petition the Governor of the State to allow them to return to their property in Jackson County and for protection from the mobs in doing so. In Kirtland, Ohio, the Prophet Joseph Smith dedicated the new printing establishment "that His word may speedily go forth to the nations of the earth, to the accomplishing of His great work in bringing about the restoration of the house of Israel" (History of the Church, 1:41).

1837 - The High Council and Bishopric of Missouri met in council and discussed paying those who serve in Church positions. On December 7, after much discussion, the council decided it was "anti-scriptural" and voted the proposal down.

1844 - Elder Brigham Young records that the last capital stone, or Sunstone, was placed on the Nauvoo Temple on this date. It rained while they were working and changed to snow after they were finished. The completion of the rest of stone work would now have to wait until spring and better weather.

1847 - The newly formed First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles met in council. They discussed the building of a temple in Salt Lake City, chose John Smith to be Church Patriarch, sent Orson Pratt to England to take charge of the Church there, and assigned other members of the Twelve to go east and south to procure means to help the Saints continue their move to the west in the Spring.

1925 - Elder Melvin J. Ballard, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, organizes the South American Mission in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the first mission in South America.

1981 - The Otavolo Ecuador Stake, the first all-Indian stake in South America, is organized.

1992 - The milestone of twenty thousand wards and branches is reached with the organization of the Harvest Park Ward in the Salt Lake Granger South Stake.

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1839 - The Prophet Joseph Smith and Elias Higbee met with the Illinois delegation in the capital in Washington D.C. to discuss redress for the Saints property in Missouri. The Prophet wrote to the High Council at Nauvoo, Illinois, that "These facts must be authenticated by affidavits. Let any particular transaction of the outrages in Missouri that can be sworn to by the sufferers, or those who were eye-witnesses to the facts, be sent, specifying the particulars" (History of the Church, 4:44).

1842 - Elder Orson Hyde returns to Nauvoo, Illinois, from his historic and sacred mission to the Holy Land. While on his mission he blessed the land for the return of the Jews and visited international capitals throughout Europe and the Middle East.

1920 - Elder David O. McKay of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Hugh J. Cannon, editor of the Improvement Era, begin a 60,000 mile tour of the missions of the Church throughout the world.

1941 - Latter-day Saint Captain Mervyn S. Bennion is mortally wounded during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor as he stands at the bridge of his ship, the USS West Virginia. For his bravery he is later posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by the United States Congress.

1953 - The West German government grants the Church "Corporation under Public Law, giving it equal rights with the established churches in Germany. This is the first time in German history that a foreign church had been given this privilege.

1991 - The Church News announces the release of the five-volume Encyclopedia of Mormonism. Published by Macmillan in New York City, it is considered to be the most comprehensive reference work ever published about the Church.

1992 - Belize is dedicated for the preaching of the gospel by Elder Russell M. Nelson.

1996 - The BYU-Hawaii women's volleyball team wins the U.S. National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Division II volleyball championship in San Diego, California.

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1830 - While working on the inspired translation of the Bible, the Prophet Joseph Smith received what is known today as the last section of Moses 6, by revelation.

1839 - The High Council of Nauvoo issued an Epistle to the Saints located west of Kirtland, Ohio, encouraging them not to locate back in Kirtland. While recognizing their agency to choose where to locate, "we warn, in the name of the Lord, not to remove back there, unless you are counseled so to do by the First Presidency, and the High Council of Nauvoo" (History of the Church, 4:45).

1843 - Due to continuing harassment of the Prophet-Mayor Joseph Smith and the inhabitants of the City of Nauvoo, the Nauvoo City Council voted protect their rights as citizens of the United States by arresting anyone in the City of Nauvoo intent on harassing the Mayor, Joseph Smith. The City Marshal was also given the power to use a "suitable portion of the Nauvoo Legion to protect the rights of the citizens" (History of the Church, 6:105). They also voted to erect a dam across the Mississippi River "for the purpose of propelling mills and machinery," use the area behind the dam as a harbor with docks and wharfs, and to use the dam as a public road.

1845 - Elder Brigham Young wrote that he had been "actively engaged in the [Nauvoo] Temple since the painters finished, fitting up the apartments and preparing the rooms for administering endowments" (History of the Church, 7:538).

1876 - A central committee of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association is created with Junius F. Wells as president.

1975 - The first stake in Delaware is organized at Wilmington.

1999 - On the eve of the sesquicentennial of the organization of the Sunday School, President Gordon B. Hinckley presides over the sealing of a time capsule containing nearly 200 pounds of mementos and artifacts gathered from around the world. The time capsule is to be opened in 2049.

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1831 - During the month of December, and into part of January, the Prophet Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon traveled through northern Ohio and "continued to preach in Shalersville, Ravenna, and other places, setting forth the truth, vindicating the cause of our Redeemer . . . by which means we did much towards allaying the excited feelings which were growing out of the scandalous letters then being published . . . by the before mentioned apostate, Ezra Booth" (History of the Church, 1:241).

1835 - The Prophet Joseph records that several brethren donated and loaned him money to help him and his family. "My heart swells with gratitude inexpressible when I realize the great condescension of my heavenly Father, in opening the hearts of these my brethren to administer so liberally to my wants. And I ask God, in the name of Jesus Christ, to multiply blessings without number upon their heads" (History of the Church, 2:327).

1842 - A resolution was introduced in the Illinois House of Representatives to repeal the Nauvoo City charter and the removal of state arms from the Nauvoo Legion. William Smith, brother of the Prophet and Illinois House member, gave a stirring speech on the floor of the house in defense of Nauvoo and her citizens. He finishes with these words, "Give us those rights, and we are content; without them we are deprived of that which was purchased by the blood of our fathers" (History of the Church, 5:204). The Prophet spent the day chopping wood while Hyrum Smith and the Prophet's legal representatives left for Springfield to meet with the Governor and others on legal matters.

1845 - Father Tucker and Father Hamilton, of the Catholic Church, met with Brigham Young and the Church leadership on acquiring property in the soon-to-be empty city of Nauvoo, including the Temple. Brigham Young stated to them that "we wish to hand it over to the Catholics and so keep out those who want to have our property for nothing." The money from the sale would help pay the expenses of the Saints moving to the west. The sale would later fail to take place.

1849 - Fifty children meet at the Salt Lake City, Utah, home of Richard Ballantyne for the first Church-sponsored Sunday School.

1867 - President Brigham Young begins to hold "School of the Prophets" in Salt Lake City, Utah, to prepare the members of the Church for the challenges from the "outside" world posed by the coming of the railroad and other facets of modernization. Later, branches of the school are set up all through the Latter-day Saint settlements of the west.

1895 - The first stake in Mexico is organized at Colonia Juarez.

1934 - The first stake in New York is organized.

1978 - The first missionaries to Ghana, Elder Rendell N. and Sister Rachel Mabey and Elder Edwin and Sister Janath Cannon, arrive in the country. They soon baptize eighty-nine people who have been waiting for the arrival of the missionaries, and within a year, more than four hundred people are baptized into the Church.

2007 - Church member Matt Sherwood of Pima, Arizona, won the team roping header world championship at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo held in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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1830 - Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge arrive in Waterloo, New York, and meet the Prophet Joseph Smith for the first time. (History of the Church, 1:128)

1833 - The Prophet Joseph writes a letter to the Saints in Missouri, who had recently been driven from their homes and lands in Jackson County, expressing his love and concern for them and offering his encouragement. This letter is one of the best examples of the gentle and compassionate nature of his noble soul and his love of the Lord and the Saints. (History of the Church, 1:453-456)

1835 - The Prophet Joseph and David Whitmer visited the home of sister Angeline Works who was very sick. They blessed her and she was healed. On the return to their homes, they found the brethren attempting to put out a fire at the Kirtland board kiln. It took some time to put out the fire and most of the lumber was lost-saving but one-fourth of it. Also, a package of petitions to restore the Saints to their possessions in Jackson County, Missouri was mailed from Kirtland, Ohio, and sent to the governor of Missouri. (History of the Church, 2:327-329)

1838 - Several leading brethren of the Church, not in prison, wrote an extensive petition and sent it to the Missouri state legislature, asking for their constitutional rights as citizens for protection under the law and the right to live where they please.

1842 - William Smith resigned as the editor of The Wasp newspaper of Nauvoo and turned it over to Elder John Taylor.

1845 - The first endowments were given in the original Nauvoo Temple. At three p. m., Sisters Mary Ann Young, Vilate Kimball, and Elizabeth Ann Whitney commenced administering the ordinances of the endowment for the sisters. At 4:25 p. m., Elders Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball commenced administering the ordinances of the endowment. They continued until 3:30 a.m. the following morning. The Nauvoo Temple would then be used continuously until the leadership of the Church left for the west. Also on this date, in the morning, Brigham Young gave Fathers Tucker and Hamilton a tour of the Temple and then met with them to continue the discussion of the purchase of the Temple when the Saints left for the west. A proposal for a long term lease of the building was presented to the Catholic fathers and they seemed pleased with the negotiations, the city, and the Temple. The leadership of the Church hoped it would provide buyers for the Saints property to provide the income needed for the crossing to the west.

1856 - The First Presidency issues the Fourteenth General Epistle to the Church, reviewing missionary efforts throughout the world, immigration to Utah by handcarts, and the state of developing industries in the Great Basin.

1952 - Missionaries enter Honduras for the first time.

1972 - The first stake in South Dakota is organized at Rapid City.

2006 - Church member, Sam Finlayson, of Danville, California, was named the national winner of the Wendy's High School Heisman Award for boys in a ceremony held in New York City. He was a senior at San Ramon Valley High School and an accomplished water polo player. The award honors excellence in academics, athletics and community service.

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1830 - The Prophet Joseph Smith receives the revelations known as Doctrine and Covenants 35 and 36 in behalf of Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge. Edward Partridge was baptized on this day and he would later become the first bishop of the Church. (History of the Church, 1:129-131)

1843 - The Prophet Joseph Smith wrote an affidavit (concerning the kidnaping of Brother Daniel Avery) and letter to Governor Ford of Illinois asking for his help in supporting the law and protecting the lives of the Saints. Meetings were held in the ten wards of the city of Nauvoo and resolutions were passed requesting the city to raise a company of forty men to act as police. The need for a larger police force was evident when the night before, two ruffians went into the house of Richard Badham, a farmer who lived outside the city, and robbed and stabbed him. (History of the Church, 6:109-110)

1845 - A letter had arrived from Brother Samuel Brannan to the Quorum of the Twelve informing them that he had been in Washington D.C. and had learned that the Secretary of War and other cabinet members were laying plans to prevent the Saints from moving to the west. Since they didn't want them to go west and didn't want them to stay in the states, obliteration was their choice. The Twelve prayed that "the Lord would defeat and frustrate all the plans of our enemies, and inasmuch as they lay plans to exterminate this people and destroy the priesthood from off the earth, that the curse of God may come upon them" (History of the Church, 7:544). Brigham Young and others officiated in the Temple the rest of the day.

1846 - The Mormon Battalion fights a herd of wild bulls near the San Pedro River, resulting in the death of ten to fifteen bulls and the wounding of three men.

1847 - Sixteen members of the Mormon Battalion arrived home to their families in Winter Quarters.

1960 - The first stake in Nebraska is organized and is named the Winter Quarters Stake.

1982 - The first full-time missionaries arrive in the Bahamas.

1994 - President Howard W. Hunter presides at the creation of the Mexico City Mexico Conreras Stake, the two thousandth stake in the Church.

1999 - The Edmonton Alberta Temple is dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley.

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1830 - The Prophet Joseph Smith received, by revelation, some of the writings of Enoch. This revelation is included in Moses 7 in the Pearl of Great Price. (History of the Church, 1:133-139)

1833 - The Saints who had fled Jackson county and settled in Van Buren county temporarily while waiting to be reinstated on their property in Jackson county, were now being threatened and forced out of Van Buren county. (History of the Church, 1:456-457) Property was being destroyed and many families were fleeing for safety again. Most of the Church members ended up in Clay county and were being treated fairly well by the population there. But by 1836, the Saints would voluntarily move north and settle in the area around the future city of Far West to avoid conflict with the citizens of Clay county.

1835 - The Prophet Joseph is visited by a group of youth interested in seeing the Egyptian records that he had recently obtained. When asked if they had the "appearance of antiquity," a young lady stated that they did not, to which the Prophet stated that wise and learned men had pronounced then ancient. He states he was "surprised at the ignorance she displayed" and that "it was downright wickedness, ignorance, bigotry and superstition had caused her to make the remark . . . It is a fair sample of the prevailing spirit of the times, showing that the victims of priestcraft and superstition would not believe though one should rise from the dead." In the evening the Prophet attended a debate at the home of his brother, William Smith, on the question "Was it necessary for God to reveal Himself to mankind in order for their happiness?" The Prophet spoke on the affirmative but while enjoying himself was called away to the home of Sister Angeline Works who was ill. He and John Corrill went and blessed her and then returned home. (History of the Church, 2:329-330).

1836 - About the middle of December, the Saints were granted the incorporation of a new county for their settlement. It was named Caldwell County and became the gathering place of the Saints in the area. Far West was the county seat.

1843 - John Smith, uncle of the Prophet Joseph, is called to be the Patriarch in the Church. He fills the position left empty by the death of the Prophets father, Joseph Smith, Sr.

1845 - Brigham Young and the brethren officiated in the Temple until midnight. Orson Pratt and his wife, the First Presidency of the Seventy, numbering in all twenty-eight males and twenty-seven females received their endowments in the Nauvoo Temple on this day.

1850 - The Hawaiian (Sandwich Islands) Mission is organized.

1889 - The First Presidency of the Church issues an important manifesto regarding the Church's view on the relationship between Church and civil courts.

1925 - The first convert baptisms in Argentina were performed in the Rio de la Plata for German immigrants Anna Kullick, her spouse, her brother and his wife, and two young women.

1942 - The LDS book publisher Bookcraft is established. The company would later be purchased by Deseret Book.

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1835 - The Prophet Joseph attended a Church service and then officiated two weddings on this date---the marriages of Ebenezer Robinson to Angeline Works and Edwin Webb to Eliza Ann McWhithy. The board kiln again caught fire, making it a busy day in the Kirtland, Ohio, area. (History of the Church, 2:330-331)

1838 - With the Prophet Joseph and others in jail, Brigham Young called a meeting of the High Council at Far West, Missouri. All the brethren present stood and bore testimony of the prophetic calling of the Prophet Joseph and expressed their support for him. While many were leaving the Church and calling Joseph a fallen prophet, these men stood firm in their faith. The High Council was reorganized, replacing the apostates with faithful members of the Church.

1841 - The decision was made to move the few hundred Saints living in the Warren settlement, one mile south of Warsaw, to Nauvoo, due to the anti-Mormon problems associated with the area. The Quorum of Twelve Apostles issued a letter to the Church encouraging tithing donations for the building of the Temple at Nauvoo. It reminds the Saints that the Temple must be built or the Church would be rejected by the Lord and encourages the donation of time, talents, clothing, and food for the workers. Also, Willard Richards was appointed recorder for the Temple and the Prophet Joseph's private Secretary and Clerk. (History of the Church, 4:470)

1842 - A delegation arrived in Springfield, Illinois, with the affidavit that the Prophet Joseph had nothing to do with the attempted murder of former governor of Missouri Boggs. The delegation sent by the Prophet found the legislature in "a high state of agitation" concerning the Saints and the Nauvoo City Charter.

1902 - Professor James H. Linford becomes the first president of the Brigham Young College Society of American Archaeology in Logan, Utah. The society's mission is to study the Book of Mormon from a scientific perspective.

1952 - The Mormon Pioneer Memorial Bridge, crossing the Missouri River in Florence, Nebraska, is opened by the state of Nebraska.

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1842 - The Church delegation in Springfield, Illinois, met with Governor Ford to present an affidavit showing that Joseph Smith was in Illinois on the date that an assassination attempt was made on former Missouri Governor Boggs and therefore could not have been involved and requested the repeal of the arrest warrant for the Prophet Joseph. Governor Ford replied that the arrest writ of Governor Carlin was illegal but that he doubted he could interfere with the acts of his predecessor. He agreed to request a judgement from the state supreme court the next day for their recommendation on what action he could take.

1843 - The Prophet Joseph received a letter from Governor Ford of Illinois that stated he had no right to interfere in individual crimes committed against the Saints in Missouri and that punishment belonged to the judicial power and not the executive-that he hadn't read the voluminous affidavits and evidence and probably never will. An angry Joseph Smith writes, "O reason, where art thou fled? O humanity, where hast thou hidden thyself? Patriots of '76, has your blood been spilt in vain, that in 1843 the Executive of a great Republican State can coolly say, 'I have not yet read them, and probably never will?' Is liberty only a name? Is protection of person and property fled from free America? Let those answer who can" (History of the Church, 6:115).

1845 - The Quorum of the Twelve and their wives met in a special meeting in the Nauvoo Temple. Brigham Young spoke on some of the brethren making objections to persons being permitted to receive the ordinances. He stated that when a person objects to another receiving the ordinances he becomes responsible to answer to God for that man's salvation. Every one who walked according to the commandments, paid their tithing, and sought after salvation was eligible for all the blessings of the Priesthood. Also, many who had received their endowments the previous week met in the Nauvoo Temple to receive additional instructions.

1907 - In a letter to the Saints in the Netherlands, the First Presidency for the first time urges European members not to immigrate to the western United States. Prior to this time, new converts were encouraged to join with the Saints in the Latter-day Saint communities of the intermountain west.

1980 - The first stake in Puerto Rico was organized at San Juan.

1984 - The Guatemala City Guatemala Temple is dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley of the First Presidency.

1985 - The Seoul South Korea Temple is dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley of the First Presidency. It is the first temple on mainland Asia.

1996 - A monument to the Mormon Battalion in Tucson, Arizona, is dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley.

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1830 - The Prophet Joseph receives the revelation known as Doctrine and Covenants 35. It was given for Sidney Rigdon and included his call to go forth and prepare the way, baptizing and confirming the Holy Ghost. This section contains the call for the "weak things," or "those who are unlearned and despised, to thrash the nations by the power of my Spirit" (Doctrine and Covenants 35:13).

1833 - William W. Phelps wrote a letter to the Prophet Joseph describing the terrible condition of the Saints in Missouri. He states that the governor was willing to restore their property in Jackson County but could not promise their protection once they were there. Elder Phelps states that they will wait patiently for the word of the Lord on what to do.

1835 - Elder Orson Hyde delivered a letter to the Prophet Joseph dealing with his dissatisfaction with temple building committee. The Prophet states that he was greatly affected by this letter and prayed to the Father not to let Satan destroy Elder Hyde and cause a division among the Twelve who had been chosen to take the gospel to the world.

1842 - The Prophet Joseph's case was presented to the Illinois State Supreme Court. They agreed that the order for his arrest out of Missouri signed by former Governor Carlin was illegal, but disagreed upon what action the present Governor could take. It was recommended that the Prophet appear before the supreme court to receive a writ of habeas corpus.

1843 - The Prophet Joseph Smith became very ill in the morning. Brother Levi Richards administered "herbs and mild drinks" and the Prophet was "considerably revived" by evening. (History of the Church, 6:115-116)

1979 - The Church opens a temporary visitors' center in Lake Placid, New York, in preparation for the 1980 Winter Olympics.

1992 - The Relief Society announces an effort supported by the Church to raise literacy rates in the Church worldwide. Also, the first branch of the Church in Tanzania is organized.

2006 - Church member and Fort Worth Texas Stake President, Jon Beesley, was the test pilot for the maiden flight of the new F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet.

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1833 - The Prophet Joseph receives Doctrine and Covenants 101, which discusses some of the causes for the suffering of the Saints in Jackson County, Missouri and comforting them for their loses. (History of the Church, 1:458-464)

1838 - The Prophet Joseph writes a letter from Liberty Jail, Missouri, encouraging the Saints in their difficulties. He condemns the apostates of the Church, including David Whitmer, Martin Harris, and Oliver Cowdery, and counters the charges against the Saints. Among other things, the Prophet states: "We assure you that you have our prayers and fervent desires for your welfare, day and night. We believe that the God who seeth us in this solitary place, will hear our prayers, and reward you openly. Know assuredly, dear brethren, that it is for the testimony of Jesus that we are in bonds and in prison. But we say unto you, that we consider that our condition is better (notwithstanding our sufferings) than that of those who have persecuted us, and smitten us, and borne false witness against us" (History of the Church, 3:226).

1840 - Governor Thomas Carlin of Illinois signs the act chartering the city of Nauvoo. It became effective 1 February 1841. It was a liberal charter outlining the rights and privileges of the residents of Nauvoo and city government, including writ of habeus corpus, a university, a legion, and other items. The Prophet Joseph wrote: "The City Charter of Nauvoo is on my own plan and device. I concocted it for the salvation of the Church, and on principles so broad, that every honest man might dwell secure under its protective influence without distinction of sect or party" (History of the Church, 4:249).

1843 - Mayor Joseph Smith sat all day in meetings with the Nauvoo City Council that met at Joseph's home due to his illness the day before. The Mayor, Aldermen, and Councilors all signed a "Memorial to Congress for redress of losses and grievances in Missouri." The Prophet Joseph prophesied that if "Congress will not hear our petition and grant us protection, they shall be broken up as a government." This prophecy came true when the party in power, which had controlled the national government for forty years, lost the election a few years later and its influence in national affairs dwindled. (History of the Church, 6:116)

1866 - President Brigham Young asks the bishops to organize Relief Societies in every ward. By the end of the month, Eliza R. Snow would be called as the second general president of the Relief Society. This reorganized the Relief Society which had been disbanded in 1844.

1902 - The U. S. Justice Department promises the Church that it will protect LDS missionaries in the southern states against mob attacks, which had been common up to that time.

1939 - The Church announces that membership has reached 750,000.

1989 - The Las Vegas Nevada Temple is dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley of the First Presidency.

2006 - Ground was broken for the Oquirrh Mountain Temple in South Jordan, Utah. President Gordon B. Hinckley presided at the ceremony.

[Hemidakota]

1835 - Elder Orson Hyde delivered to the Prophet Joseph a letter of complaints and concerns he had concerning some dealings withing the Church. He read it to the Prophet and Joseph "explained the objections he had set forth in it, and satisfied his mind upon every point, perfectly." This reconciliation of Orson Hyde and the Prophet Joseph included "every expression of friendship that a gentleman and a Christian could manifest; which I felt to reciprocate with cheerfulness, and entertain the best of feeling for him, and most cheerfully forgave him" (History of the Church, 2:337). Also, the Prophets parents visited him in the evening to discuss the "difficulty that occurred at their home" between the Prophet and his brother William. After the conversation the Prophet invited them to come live with him and they agreed to as soon as it was practicable.

1838 - Elder David H. Redfield met with Governor Boggs of Missouri at the capital in Jefferson City. Governor Boggs inquired about the "depredations on the Mormons" appearing as if he was interested in the welfare of the Saints. This after signing the extermination order a couple months earlier. He stated that the agreement the Saints had made to leave the state with the citizens around Far West was unconstitutional and not valid. Elder Redfield asked the Governor to support a law in the legislature to support his statement.

1842 - Governor Ford, of Illinois, wrote a letter to the Prophet Joseph stating that the state supreme court had agreed that the "requisition from Missouri was illegal and insufficient to cause your arrest" but that the governor did not have the right to rescind the order. He recommended that the Prophet come to Springfield and submit to the law and the courts but did not offer protection to the Prophet while he was traveling to and from the court. Brother Butterfield, the Prophet's representative, also wrote a letter stating that the judges would discharge the Prophet under a habeas corpus which would free him from the arrest order. The brethren left Springfield with the letters and began their return journey to Nauvoo. (History of the Church, 5:205-207)

1872 - President George A. Smith of the First Presidency visits Versailles, France, and meets with M. Thiers, president of the French Republic.

1958 - President David O. McKay dedicates the first permanent buildings on the Church College of Hawaii campus, completed at a cost of approximately $4 million and 280,000 donated hours by the labor missionaries. About 1,200 students are enrolled by this time. CCH would later become Brigham Young University-Hawaii.

1989 - The first converts in the European country of Estonia and the African country of Lesotho, are baptized.

2005 - A new Church-produced film on the life of Joseph Smith begins showing in the Legacy Theater of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake City, Utah. Shortly thereafter, it began showing in Visitor's Centers around the world.

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1833 - The Prophet Joseph Smith ordains his father, Joseph Smith, Sr., as the first Patriarch of the Church. Also, the Prophet dedicated the printing press in Kirtland, Ohio, for the work of the Lord. They then printed a proof of the reprinted Evening and Morning Star. (History of the Church, 1:465-467)

1835 - The Prophet Joseph spent the morning with his brother Hyrum discussing the problems of their younger brother, William, and his attitude towards Joseph. Joseph then wrote, "I could pray in my heart that all my brethren were like unto my beloved brother Hyrum, who possesses the mildness of a lamb, and the integrity of a Job, and in short, the meekness and humility of Christ; I love him with that love that is stronger than death" (History of the Church, 2:338). A letter arrived for Joseph from his brother William asking forgiveness for his actions-"I feel sorry for what I have done, and humbly ask your forgiveness." Joseph immediately writes a letter explaining his side of the situation and that "I desire, Brother William, that you will humble yourself. I freely forgive you" (History of the Church, 2:338-343).

1839 - Elders Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor, and Theodore Turley sailed from New York for their mission in England.

1841 - The Nauvoo City council issued a public expression of gratitude to James Gordon Bennett and the New York Herald for their "unprejudiced course towards us as a people" and encouraged people to subscribe to their paper to support "true merit, industry, and enterprise." (History of the Church, 4:477-478)

1845 - Temple work continues in the Nauvoo Temple with sixty-six persons receiving their endowments. Brigham Young records he was once again up until midnight administering the ordinances of the Temple.

1995 - Reporter Mike Wallace, of the popular weekly television program 60 Minutes, interviews President Gordon B. Hinckley for an episode to be aired in April 1996 on CBS.

1999 - The Raleigh North Carolina Temple is dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley.

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good stuff

[Hemidakota]

1830 - The Prophet Joseph Smith receives the revelation known as Doctrine and Covenants 36. This revelation was given for Edward Partridge whom Joseph called "a pattern of piety, and one of the Lord's great men." This section explains one of the roles of "the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which shall teach you the peaceable things of the kingdom." (History of the Church, 1:131)

1831 - The Church purchases nearly sixty-four acres that would include the Temple lot in Independence, Missouri, from Jones H. Flournoy at a cost of $130.

1833 - William Pratt and David Patten left on their journey from Kirtland, Ohio, to Missouri with instructions for the Saints who had been forced from Jackson County.

1838 - A petition calling for an investigation of the treatment of the Mormons was presented in the Missouri State House of Representatives which caused an uproar among its members. Several spoke against the Mormons and several supported the investigation in the actions against them. A Mr. Redman stood and spoke in favor of a speedy investigation as the "Mormons are leaving, hundreds are waiting to cross the Mississippi River, and by and by they are gone, and our state is blasted, her character is gone; we gave them no chance for a fair investigation" (History of the Church, 3:239). Meanwhile, the Prophet Joseph and his companions suffer in Liberty Jail and the Church leadership meet in Far West. John E. Page and John Taylor are ordained to fill the vacancies in the Quorum of the Twelve caused by apostasy. They are ordained by Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball.

1841 - The Quorum of Twelve Apostles were in council at Brigham Young's home in the morning and then met again, with other Saints, at the Prophet Joseph Smith's home in the evening. Heber C. Kimball spoke and then the Prophet Joseph spoke and taught "if we keep the commandments of God, we should bring forth fruit and be the friends of God." He then chastised the Saints for wickedness and unbelief and added "for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth." Brigham Young then spoke, saying, "we should be prepared to keep each commandment as it came from the Lord by the mouth of the Prophet, and as the Lord had commanded us to build a temple, we should do it speedily." (History of the Church, 4:478-479)

1845 - Twenty-six brethren were appointed by Brigham Young to officiate and labor in the Nauvoo Temple. Ninety-eight people received their ordinances.

1980 - The Brigham Young University football team wins the 1980 Holiday Bowl, its first bowl victory ever, over Southern Methodist University. Later called the "Miracle Bowl," the Cougars make a dramatic comeback in the final minutes of the game capped by quarterback Jim McMahon's forty-six yard "hail Mary" touchdown pass to tight end Clay Brown in the closing seconds of the game. Neither player was a member of the Church.

1988 - Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, receives its four millionth visitor.

1993 - A choir of missionaries from the Italy Rome Mission sings carols for the Vatican Radio Christmas Mass in St. Peter's Basilica.

1998 - The Tabernacle Choir's annual Christmas concert was telecast for the first time over the Church's satellite system.

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1838 - Emma Smith visits her husband, the Prophet Joseph Smith, in Liberty Jail in Missouri. She spends two days with him confined in the jail.

1839 - The first missionaries, Alexander Wright and Samuel Mulliner, arrive in Scotland and begin to preach the gospel.

1840 - The Prophet Joseph Smith was called upon by the Nauvoo High Council to decide the case against Robert D. Foster. The Prophet Joseph's decision acquitted him. (History of the Church, 4:250) In 1844, Dr. Foster would become one of the apostates involved with the Nauvoo Expositor.

1842 - Elder Lorenzo D. Barnes dies at Bradford, England. He is the first missionary to die while serving a foreign mission. Also, the brethren who had been in Springfield, Illinois, to meet with the governor and state supreme court, arrived back in Nauvoo and reported to the Prophet Joseph and delivered the letters requesting the Prophet appear before the supreme court to receive his habeus corpus.

1845 - It was planned to use this Saturday to cleaning the Temple and washing clothing and suspend operations in the Temple for the day. However, "on account of the anxiety of the saints to receive their ordinances, the brethren and sisters volunteered to wash clothes every night. Ninety-five persons received their ordinances" (History of the Church, 7:548).

1921 - After a year-long tour of Church missions throughout the world, Elder David O. McKay arrives back in the United States at New York City.

1972 - The Church Music Department is organized.

[Hemidakota]

1830 - The Prophet Joseph Smith receives Doctrine and Covenants 37 by revelation. It the first commandment from the Lord for the Saints to gather to one location-in this revelation the call is given to gather to the Kirtland, Ohio, area. (History of the Church, 1:139)

1839 - The Prophet Joseph Smith left Washington D. C. and traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by railroad. He would spend the next several days preaching and "visiting from house," both Church members and others. (History of the Church, 4:47)

1843 - The Nauvoo City Council met and voted to send Orson Pratt with a Memorial and Ordinance to Congress in Washington D. C. outlining the experiences of the Saints in Missouri and asking for them to protect and save them from it happening again in Illinois. Also, the City Council elected John P. Greene city marshal who was then instructed by the Mayor, Joseph Smith, to kept the city in order, stop the boys when fighting in the streets, and to correct anything out of order like a father would.

1852 - Elder Orson Pratt publishes the first issue of The Seer, a Church newspaper in Washington D. C.

1969 - The first branch of the Church is organized on Prince Edward Island, Canada.

1984 - The Brigham Young University football team wins the Holiday Bowl over the University of Michigan, 24-17, capping an undefeated season (13-0). Later, as a result of the victory, the football team receives the number one ranking in the polls and is awarded the NCAA national championship.

Edited December 26, 2008 by Hemidakota

[Hemidakota]

1836 - A conference was held in the Kirtland Temple to discuss the problem of the many poor families moving to Kirtland and there not being sufficient funds to care for them. It was decided to encourage the branches of the Church to care for their own poor and not send them to Kirtland as there was not available means to shelter and feed them. Also, that before anyone moves to Kirtland, they should first come and prepare a place for themselves before moving their families to the city. (History of the Church, 2:468-469)

1837 - Elder Brigham Young fled Kirtland, Ohio, after apostates of the Church threatened to kill him "because he would proclaim publicly and privately that he knew by the power of the Holy Ghost that I [Joseph Smith] had not transgressed and fallen as the apostates declared" (History of the Church, 2:529). The Prophet Joseph records that "Apostasy, persecution, confusion, and mobocracy strove hard to bear rule at Kirtland" as the year came to a close.

1841 - The first supplies of groceries arrived at the Prophets new store in Nauvoo. In the evening, the Prophet began to give instructions to his scribe on a proclamation to the kings of the earth that was commanded to be written by revelation on January 19, 1841. (History of the Church, 4:483)

1843 - The home of Church member David Holman, in a rural area of Hancock County, was burned to the ground while he and his family were away visiting. Mobocracy is increasing in the rural areas surrounding Nauvoo.

1918 - The Church holds a special fast to petition the Lord to end a worldwide influenza epidemic that had killed over twenty-one million people in four months.

1945 - Elder Ezra Taft Benson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is assigned by the First Presidency to go immediately to Europe to assess the spiritual and temporal needs of the thirty thousand members of the Church there. United States President Harry S. Truman had given the Church permission to send aid to the Saints in the war-torn area of Europe now that the war had ended.

1995 - Armenia grants registration status to the Church because of the humanitarian efforts of Elder David M. Horne, a Church-service missionary who operated a concrete plant built by LDS businessman, Jon Huntsman. Aside from operating the plant, Elder Horne managed shipments of food and supplies to help the Armenian people.