TODAY IN CHURCH HISTORY: 25 July

[Hemidakota]

1831 - The Colesville Branch, the first body of Saints to settle in Missouri, arrive in Independence, Missouri.

1836 - The Prophet Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Hyrum Smith, and Oliver Cowdery, leave Kirtland, Ohio, then board a steamboat at Fairport Harbor, Ohio, as they began a mission to Salem, Massachusetts, seeking funds to relieve the financial challenges of the Church. The trip would be unsuccessful financially. (History of the Church, 2:463)

1841 - Brother William Yokum, survivor of the Haun's Mill massacre, had his leg amputated to save his life. He had been bed ridden since the October 30, 1838 event. Being Sunday, Elders Orson Pratt and George A. Smith preached in the morning at the Grove. Sidney Rigdon and the Prophet Joseph, who spoke on the resurrection, spoke in the afternoon. (History of the Church, 4:389)

1847 - The first Church services were held in the Salt Lake Valley. Elders George A. Smith, Heber C. Kimball, and Ezra T. Benson were speakers.

1887 - President John Taylor dies while in hiding in Kaysville, Utah. He was seventy-eight years old and had served for more than forty-eight years as a General Authority of the Church.

1897 - The celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Saints' arrival in the Salt Lake Valley end with a memorial service at the Tabernacle on Temple Square honoring the deceased pioneers.

1992 - Gunars Kavals, the first convert of the Church in the Republic of Latvia is baptized.

1994 - A heroic-sized statue of Utah Territorial Governor, Brigham Young, is unveiled in the rotunda of the Utah Capitol building. President Gordon B. Hinckley of the First Presidency represents the Church and speaks at the ceremonies. Also, Brigham Young University and the University of Jordan announce plans to develop links of cooperation between the two institutions.

1999 - A Pony Express Monument in Salt Lake City, Utah, created by the National Pony Express Association, is dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley.