TODAY IN CHURCH HISTORY: 20 August

[Hemidakota]

1838 - The Prophet Joseph met with local citizens and took part in the deliberations and formation of "Agricultural Companies" in Caldwell County, Missouri. (History of the Church, 3:63-64)

1842 - The Prophet Joseph spent the day in business at his office above his red brick store in Nauvoo. The city council met there on business, then the Quorum of the Twelve met and Joseph ordained Amasa Lyman to be an Apostle. The regents of the University in Nauvoo replace Chancellor John C. Bennett with Orson Spencer and Amasa Lyman as a regent to replace Vinsion Knight who had died. A large meeting was held at the grove near the Temple in which Sidney Rigdon reiterated his faith in the Church and Joseph as the Lord's Prophet. Hyrum Smith also spoke. Joseph recorded the meeting was "productive of great good by inspiring the Saints with new zeal and courage" (History of the Church, 5:124). Joseph also met in the evening with Hyrum, William Law, Wilson Law, Newel K. Whitney, and George Miller, on the illegality of the proceedings of his persecutors.

1859 - Horace Greeley, the New York Tribune editor, publishes his 13 July 1859 interview with Brigham Young, which is reported to be the first of this type of interview published in an American newspaper.

1932 - The First Presidency announces plans to erect a monument on the summit of the Hill Cumorah.

1992 - Elder Richard G. Scott, of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, begins a five-day tour of Africa, during which he dedicates Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, and Congo for the preaching of the gospel.

2000 - The Caracas Venezuela Temple is dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley.