TODAY IN CHURCH HISTORY: 09 August

[Hemidakota]

1831 - After dedicating the land of Zion and the temple lot, attending to Church business, and associating and strengthening the Saints in Jackson County, Missouri, the Prophet Joseph Smith and his party begin their return trip to Kirtland, Ohio, traveling by canoe on the Missouri River. (History of the Church, 1:202)

1838 - The Prophet Joseph Smith met with some of the principle leaders of the county at Adam-Ondi-Ahman concerning the problems that occurred during the election at Gallatin. The meeting concluded with an agreement of "peace, to preserve each other's rights, and stand in each other's defense." Joseph and his party then left for Far West, arriving about midnight. (History of the Church, 3:60) Meanwhile, the men of the Kirtland Camp continue to work on the road they had contracted to build to help earn the income needed to finish their journey to Missouri. The son of Hiram Byington was buried---the second death in the camp. The crops in the area are dying from lack of rainfall. It would be August 29th before the Camp would continue of their journey west.

1844 - One day after being sustained by the membership of the Church to lead them, Brigham Young and the Twelve meet in council. A committee was established to settle the affairs of Joseph Smith in relation to the Church properties, etc.. Construction of the Nauvoo House was also discussed.

1847 - The first Latter-day Saint child is born in the Salt Lake Valley. Young Elizabeth Steele is born just a couple weeks after the arrival of her parents, John and Catharine Steele, in the Valley.

1903 - Russia is dedicated for the preaching of the gospel by Elder Francis M. Lyman near the Kremlin in Moscow.

1983 - The Nuku'alofa Tonga Temple is dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley of the First Presidency.

1985 - The Chicago Illinois Temple is dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley of the First Presidency.

2005 - President Gordon B. Hinckley returns home after a 25,000 mile around the world tour that included stops in Vladivostok, Russia; Seoul, Korea; Taipei, Taiwan; Hong Kong, China; Delhi, India; Nairobi, Kenya; and Aba, Nigeria.