TODAY IN CHURCH HISTORY: 09 July

[Hemidakota]

1834 - With the conclusion of Zion's Camp, the Prophet Joseph and other leaders of the Church leave Clay County, Missouri, to return to Kirtland, Ohio.

1838 - A conference of the Twelve Apostles met at Far West, Missouri, "agreeable to the revelation, given July 8, 1838" with Thomas B. Marsh presiding. They agreed to notify those who had been called to be members of the Quorum and those not yet living in Far West to immediately gather in order to fulfill the revelation to leave on missions the following April. "President Sidney Rigdon gave some counsel concerning the provisions necessary to be made for the families of the Twelve, while laboring in the cause of their Redeemer" and to encourage converts to gather. (History of the Church, 3:47)

1841 - The Prophet Joseph Smith receives Doctrine and Covenants 126, informing Brigham Young that his missionary service had been accepted by the Lord and he no longer be required to travel away from his family.

1875 - On his death bed, Martin Harris, one of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon, bears witness that his testimony recorded in the Book of Mormon is true.

1953 - The Church announces the organization of the United Church School System, the forerunner to the Church Education System.

2000 - The Veracruz Mexico Temple is dedicated by President Thomas S. Monson of the First Presidency.

2003 - The Apia Samoa Temple is destroyed by fire while under going renovation work.