Eastern end of the telegraph line reaches Salt Lake City from Omaha, Nebraska
Eastern end of the telegraph line reaches Salt Lake City from Omaha, Nebraska.
1,289 entries in this era, shown 200 to a page. This is page 5 of 7, covering 1861 to 1866. See the same material on the moving timeline.
1861
Edward Creighton Company departs on their journey
Edward Creighton Company departs on their journey.
Elias Asper Freight Train departs on their journey
Elias Asper Freight Train departs on their journey.
First Church wagon train left the Salt Lake Valley for the Missouri River
First Church wagon train left the Salt Lake Valley for the Missouri River.
Heber C. Kimball, in a sermon
Heber C. Kimball, in a sermon recalling past persecutions of the Saints, preaches: "After all these hardships and trials we started for this country, and what did the Government then require of us? Five hundred men were called to go and take part in the Mexican war, and that too at a time when we were all living in our waggons: many were sick, and some were dying;" This perpetuates the myth that the Mormon Battalion was a favor that the Church did for the government when in reality it was a favor that the government did for the Mormons at Church leaders' request.
Homer Duncan Company departs on their journey
Homer Duncan Company departs on their journey.
In 1861 there were 19 missionaries
In 1861 there were 19 missionaries called to serve.
Ira Eldredge Company departs on their journey
Ira Eldredge Company departs on their journey.
Ira Reed Company departs on their journey
Ira Reed Company departs on their journey.
Job Pingree Company departs on their journey
Job Pingree Company departs on their journey.
John R. Murdock Company departs on their journey
John R. Murdock Company departs on their journey.
Joseph Horne Company departs on their journey
Joseph Horne Company departs on their journey.
Joseph Porter Company departs on their journey
Joseph Porter Company departs on their journey.
Joseph W. Young/Ansil P. Harmon/Heber P
Joseph W. Young/Ansil P. Harmon/Heber P departs on their journey.
Major James H. Carleton writes to Army Headquarters: "Nearly all Mormons are foreigners
Major James H. Carleton writes to Army Headquarters: "Nearly all Mormons are foreigners. Among these are Welsh, English, Norwegians, Swedes, some Germans, and a few French. They are evidently of the lowest and most ignorant grade of the people in the several countries from whence they have come. Mixed in with these are a few low, unprincipled Americans. The most intelligent and crafty of these, commencing with Brigham Young, are the directors and rulers of the whole mess. . . their government is solely a hierarchy, and notwithstanding, in theory, they are assumed to be a population obedient to the laws of our common country, practically they score and deride, and set at defiance all laws that interfere with their safety or interest, save those promulgated by the great council of the church."
Milo Andrus Company departs on their journey
Milo Andrus Company departs on their journey.
Peter Ranck Company departs on their journey
Peter Ranck Company departs on their journey.
President Brigham Young sent the first
President Brigham Young sent the first telegram over the just-completed overland telegraph line.
Samuel A. Woolley Company departs on their journey
Samuel A. Woolley Company departs on their journey.
Sidney Tanner Company departs on their journey
Sidney Tanner Company departs on their journey.
Sixtus E. Johnson Company departs on their journey
Sixtus E. Johnson Company departs on their journey.
Swiss, Italian and German mission is created
Swiss, Italian and German mission is created
The 1861 Church Membership 66,211
1861 Church Membership 66,211
The Civil War began as Confederate
The Civil War began as Confederate forces fired on Ft. Sumter in South Carolina.
The DESERET NEWS prints a sermon
The DESERET NEWS prints a sermon by Brigham Young: "There are scores of evil spirits here, spirits of the old Gadianton robbers, some of whom inhabited these mountains and used to go into the south and afflict the Nephites. There are millions of these spirits in the mountains, and they are ready to make us covetous, if they can; they are ready to lead astray every man and woman that wishes to be a Latter-day Saint." The talk is later printed in the JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.
The Deseret News prints its first extra with a dispatch received over the wire
The Deseret News prints its first extra with a dispatch received over the wire.
The Deseret News publishes its first regular issue with telegraph accounts
The Deseret News publishes its first regular issue with telegraph accounts, including a message from President Lincoln.
The first baptisms in the Netherlands
The first baptisms in the Netherlands took place near the village of Broek-Akkerwoude in the northern province of Friesland. A monument marking the site was erected in 1936.
The first of several Church wagon
The first of several Church wagon trains left the Salt Lake Valley with provisions for incoming Saints, whom they would meet at the Missouri River. This was the beginning of a new program to help immigrating Saints that lasted until the railroad came in 1869.
The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star publishes
The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star publishes a poem about Adam, "Sons of Michael," with the opening lines: "Sons of Michael, he approaches!/ Rise; the Eternal Father greet.". The 1927 hymnal converts the 1861 poem "Sons of Michael" to hymn 334. The line with Adam as the Eternal Father is replaced by "Sons of Michael, He approaches!/ Rise; the ancient Father greet."
Thomas Woolley Company departs on their journey
Thomas Woolley Company departs on their journey.
Wilford Woodruff writes: " We here
Wilford Woodruff writes: " We here found Brother Thomas B. Marsh quite Crazy. He had been Confined by being Chained up. He was now better. Attended? Meeting. He hert his tongue runing like a Flutter wheel when He had a Chance? & the spittle drulling down out o£ his mouth. This shows a sample of Apostacy & the Effects of Betraying his brethren. The following are names of the different Devils which He says are tormenting him. He gave the Names as follows: Marrianeuba, Anonondo Oie Harrewansdo, Dononvah, Toddewandah, Tonanando, Gandesande, Annonvah, Sotecalandaco, Plutoa"
William K. McKissick Company departs on their journey
William K. McKissick Company departs on their journey.
Word of the firing on Fort Sumter reaches the Deseret News office
Word of the firing on Fort Sumter reaches the Deseret News office; paper-making begins in Sugar House.
Wright-Godbe/George Stringham Freight Train departs on their journey
Wright-Godbe/George Stringham Freight Train departs on their journey.
1862
A federal law was passed and approved by President Abraham Lincoln
A federal law was passed and approved by President Abraham Lincoln, defining plural marriage as bigamy and declaring it a crime. Mormons considered the law unconstitutional and refused to honor it.
A heavy rain keeps either side
A heavy rain keeps either side from doing much damage in the "Morrisite war" in Weber County, Utah. The Mormon posse is reinforced by an additional cannon. One member of the posse writes that cannon fire "made the mountains tremble and intimated to the yet deluded people that there was a little more thunder in store for them on the morrow."
Abel Parker Company departs on their journey
Abel Parker Company departs on their journey.
Ansil P. Harmon Company departs on their journey
Ansil P. Harmon Company departs on their journey.
Arba L. Lambson Company departs on their journey
Arba L. Lambson Company departs on their journey.
Brigham Young "conversed about the course
Brigham Young "conversed about the course Jefferson Davis had taken in conducting warfare with the Federal Government, he remarked that if Jefferson Davis had adopted the Guerrilla mode of fighting he would have been more successful."
Brigham Young "rode out
Brigham Young "rode out. In the Evening he shewed the Brethren in the Office the new set of teeth Sec. Frank Fuller had made him. they were a good set and fitted exceedingly well and gave the President much satisfaction."
Brigham Young has four teeth extracted
Brigham Young has four teeth extracted by his secretary who is a dentist as well. In the evening he tells friends that some years ago while "with the Prophet Joseph a Dentist endeavored to extract a tooth the pain being very severe he fainted and dreamt he was in hell and saw the Devils."
Brigham Young holds a meeting with "with some merchants
Brigham Young holds a meeting with "with some merchants . . . for the purpose of getting our Brethren who were Merchants to enter into some arrangements to lower the present high prices of goods, and by combination to drive from our midst all foreign merchants. . . . Many explanations were made by the Brethren present relative to their manner of doing business showing from figures that their profits were not so large now as they were when goods were sold at much lower figures. . . . No definite conclusion was arrived at, The Brethren agreed to think about the matter and expressed themselves willing to do what they could to accomplish the object in view."
Brigham Young preaches, that "if the BOOK OF MORMON were now to be rewritten
Brigham Young preaches, that "if the BOOK OF MORMON were now to be rewritten, in many instances it would materially differ from the present translation."
Brigham Young preaches: "Did the first
Brigham Young preaches: "Did the first priest who persecuted Joseph Smith, when Joseph was about nineteen years of age, believe that Joseph was an impostor? No. The Devil and his emissaries are not afraid of an impostor; for the world is full of imposition."
Brigham Young preaches: "Never give way
Brigham Young preaches: "Never give way to vain laugher. I have seldom laughed aloud for twenty or thirty years without regretting it, and I always blush for those who laugh aloud without meaning. I am often full of joy and gladness, and were I to give way to the promptings of my nature at such times, it would lead to unreasonable levity which would be a source of mortification and sorrow to me. I noticed that the brethren gave way to that laugh which I choose not to hear."
Brigham Young teaches that "God would
Brigham Young teaches that "God would Judge the world but How would He Judge the world? He would not sit in Judgment upon Each individual case, but the Lord would preside over all his Prophets and Apostles of every generation . . Those who received their testimony and abided by their Council would have no sins to pay for after death, but the wicked would be Judged after death. . . . Joseph Smith will preside over this dispensation and Judge but He has chosen 12 Apostles 70ties & we have High Priest, High Council, and Bishops to Judge the people. Joseph will not judge Each individual neither shall I. Neither do I want to spend my time in listening to the sins & nonsense of the People."
Brigham Young writes his son Brigham
Brigham Young writes his son Brigham Jr.: "It is now going on two years and a half since I have used a particle of tobacco. . ."
Brigham Young's office journal records: "President
Brigham Young's office journal records: "President Young remarked there were some things that Elder Orson Pratt did not believe in, he noticed that on one occasion Br. Orson wanted to prove that the moving forces were caused by a law of repulsion and not attraction, he noticed than an opposition in all things existed, and necessarily there must be attraction as well as repulsion, the Pres. remarked Br. Orson was a righteous man. Pres. Heber C. Kimball called in The President discussed with him the wicked course the American Nation had taken with this people, observing the government was running into a despotism, and they were willing the government should be despotic while they were in power. The President observed that Abraham Lincoln was a sagacious man, but believed he was as wicked a man as ever lived."(the bracketed words are written down but crossed out.)
Christian A. Madsen Company departs on their journey
Christian A. Madsen Company departs on their journey.
Colonel Patrick Edward Connor
Colonel Patrick Edward Connor, commander of the military district of Utah, reports to Army Headquarters: "It will be impossible for me to describe what I saw and heard in Salt Lake, so as to make you realize the enormity of Mormonism; suffice it, that I found them a community of traitors, murderers, fanatics and whores…"
DESERET NEWS editorializes: "The number of votes cast at the annual election
DESERET NEWS editorializes: "The number of votes cast at the annual election in this county, was unusually small--but little interest having been taken in that matter." Apathy of Mormon voters continues until LDS church disbands its political party in 1981.
DESERET NEWS reports first counselor Heber
DESERET NEWS reports first counselor Heber C. Kimball's sermon: "Do not fret yourselves; if any man has done a wrong deed, do not undertake to kill him without knowing whether he has done right or wrong; wait till you have ascertained the facts in the case." No sermon requires Mormons to seek permission to blood-atone.
DESERET NEWS reports Heber C. Kimball
DESERET NEWS reports Heber C. Kimball sermon of July 7, 1861, which says church was organized in Manchester, New York.
First Counselor Heber C. Kimball writes
First Counselor Heber C. Kimball writes in his memorandum book: "April 20, 1862, The Lord told me that Adam was my father and that he was the God and father of all the inhabitants of this Earth."
First session of "ghost government" of theocratic State of Deseret
First session of "ghost government" of theocratic State of Deseret, which publicly meets, passes its own laws (duplicates of what same legislators have just done in territorial legislature), holds elections, and functions until 1872. Significant as theocratic symbol but unimportant in practice.
George A. Smith receives a letter
George A. Smith receives a letter from "Bishop Lunt" saying that "Col Tarlton had a ridgment of 1,200 soldiers . . . He accuses the mormons of pulling down the mountain meadow monument. Said he would learn the mormons to let dead men alone." The monument at Mountain Meadows had been torn down 10 months previously by order of Brigham Young.
Gilbert and Gerrish Freight Train departs
Gilbert and Gerrish Freight Train departs on their journey.
Godbe Freight Train departs on their journey
Godbe Freight Train departs on their journey.
Heber C. Kimball preaches that "we
Heber C. Kimball preaches that "we are the Children of God, and in the lions of the Father."
Heber C. Kimball writes in his journal
Heber C. Kimball writes in his journal: "The Lord told me the time was near when I Heber would be esteemed by His Servant Brigham more than any man that lives in the flesh."
Henry W. Miller Company departs on their journey
Henry W. Miller Company departs on their journey.
Homer Duncan Company departs on their journey
Homer Duncan Company departs on their journey.
Horton D. Haight Company departs on their journey
Horton D. Haight Company departs on their journey.
In 1862 there were 27 missionaries
In 1862 there were 27 missionaries called to serve.
Isaac A. Canfield Company departs on their journey
Isaac A. Canfield Company departs on their journey.
James S. Brown Company departs on their journey
James S. Brown Company departs on their journey.
James Wareham Company departs on their journey
James Wareham Company departs on their journey.
John R. Murdock Company departs on their journey
John R. Murdock Company departs on their journey.
John R. Young Freight Train departs
John R. Young Freight Train departs on their journey.
Joseph Horne Company departs on their journey
Joseph Horne Company departs on their journey.
Lewis Brunson Company departs on their journey
Lewis Brunson Company departs on their journey.
Ola N. Liljenquist Company departs on their journey
Ola N. Liljenquist Company departs on their journey.
Salt Lake Theater dedicated as an important cultural center
Salt Lake Theater dedicated as an important cultural center.
The "Morrisite war" ends when the Mormon posse storms the Morrisite compound
The "Morrisite war" ends when the Mormon posse storms the Morrisite compound. While spectators watch from the hillside the posse enters the compound. Joseph Morris is killed when he resists arrest and two women are "accidentally" killed in the process. Robert T. Burton, leader of the posse, is indicted eight years later for murder of Morris and others but the indictment is quashed by the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1879 Burton is again indicted and brought to trial for the murder of one of the women. A "mixed" jury of Mormons and non-Mormons finds him not guilty.
The 1862 Church Membership 68,780
1862 Church Membership 68,780
The Church sent 262 wagons,
The Church sent 262 wagons, 292 men, 2,880 oxen and 143,315 pounds of flour to the Missouri River to assist poor immigrants from Europe on their trek to the Great Basin.
The Conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle
The Conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Chior is Charles John Thomas. First director to lead the choir in the current Salt Lake Tabernacle building in regular performances
The DESERET NEWS editorial concerning U.S
The DESERET NEWS editorial concerning U.S. President Abraham Lincoln's recently-issued Emancipation Proclamation: "We demand to be informed whence the President derives his power to issue any such proclamation as he has now published. Not from the Constitution surely, for it is in plain violation of some of its leading provisions…He is fully adrift on the current of radical fanaticism. We regret for his sake, we lament for the sake of the country, that he has been coerced by the insanity of radicals, by the denunciation of their presses, by the threats of their governors and senators."
The Salt Lake Theater, which became
The Salt Lake Theater, which became an important cultural center for Mormon people in the area, was dedicated. It was opened to the public two days later.
U.S. Army Adjutant General Lorenzo Thomas,
U.S. Army Adjutant General Lorenzo Thomas, by order of the Secretary of War and the President, writes to Brigham Young: "By express direction of the President of the United States you are hereby authorized to raise, arm, and equip one company of cavalry for ninety days' service. . . . to protect the property of the telegraph and overland mail companies in or about Independence Rock now in Wyoming, on the Oregon Trail, where depredations have been committed, and will be continued in service only till the U.S. troops can reach the point where they are so much needed. . . .It will not be used for any offensive operations other than may grow out of the duty hereinbefore assigned to it." The intriguing point about this request is that it did not go to the territorial government officers but to Brigham Young, a tacit recognition of who really controlled Utah.
Western telegraph line from Salt Lake to Carson City to San Francisco completed
Western telegraph line from Salt Lake to Carson City to San Francisco completed; Brigham Young sends the first message.
Wilford Woodruff records words of Brigham
Wilford Woodruff records words of Brigham Young: "'If we do not Hurry with this building the Salt Lake Temple I am afraid we shall not get it up until we have to go back to Jackson County which I Expect will be in 7 years. I do not want to quite finish this Temple for there will not be any Temple finished until the One is finished in Jackson County Missouri pointed out by Joseph Smith. Keep this a secret to yourselves lest some may be discouraged. Some things we should keep to ourselves. . . . President Young then said to Brother Morley & Levi Jackman who was Standing by, you are both Jackson County Members, & I want you to live to go back to jackson County with me. He also said here is brother Woodruff. He was the first man that I felt lead by the spirit to speak to about the organization of the Church."
Wilford Woodruff writes: "President Young again
Wilford Woodruff writes: "President Young again took up the Deseret Alphabet and Conversed upon that subject. He spoke of what he had done to introduce that subject to this people. He had sent East, and got a font of the best deserett type made that Could be got and Still the regency and superintendent of Common Schools, the Teachers nor people none of them have faith Enough to introduce the Deserett Alphabet into the schools. I will not give my Consent or furnish any type to publish that Book or any other for Children with the Errors now Exhisting in the English arthography. By doing this we teach our Children fals principles which they have to wallow through all there lives. If I Cannot present to my Children true principles in there language I do not want to present any thing to them. Neither will I use my priesthood to force it upon the people. If the people will not assist me to introduce it for the benefit of the rising generation they may go without it. But we Can buy those gentile school books for Children much Cheaper than we Can make them Here, and I dont wish to have any of that Class of Books made here."
Wilfred Woodruff History
Served special mission to Hawaii with Elders Ezra T. Benson and Lorenzo Snow.
William H. Dame Company departs on their journey
William H. Dame Company departs on their journey.
With authorization of Utah's acting governor
With authorization of Utah's acting governor Frank Fuller, a military-sized (between 200 and 1000 men) Mormon "posse" attacks schismatic community of Joseph Morris in Weber County, Utah. The "Morrisites" had imprisoned three apostate "spies." When negotiations stall the posse fires a cannon into the Morrisite congregation killing two women and leaving seventeen-year-old Mary Christofferson's chin dangling by a flap of skin. The Morrisites return fire and the "Morrisite war" begins.
1863
1863 edition titled Manchester Hymnal
This edition was created in Liverpool, England and was compiled by Albert Carrington. There were 330 Hymns in this edition. At the time it was edition number 13.
Alvus H. Patterson Company departs on their journey
Alvus H. Patterson Company departs on their journey.
At night in Salt Lake City,
At night in Salt Lake City, cannon fire is heard from Fort Douglas. Mormons respond by sounding their own alarm, via cannon, and many Mormons hastily dress, grab their arms, and rush to Brigham Young's residence ready to defend against an invasion by the U.S. Army. The noise from Ft. Douglas turns from cannon fire to band music and Mormons later learn that the Army men are only celebrating their commander's promotion to brigadier-general.
Author Fritz Ludlow visits Salt Lake
Author Fritz Ludlow visits Salt Lake City on his way to San Francisco. He later writes in a national magazine: "Though Mormondom is disloyal to the core it still-patronizes the Fourth of July, at least in its phase of festivity, omitting the patriotism of our Eastern celebration, substituting 'Utah' for 'Union' in the Buncombe speeches." He describes Brigham Young at the Fourth of July ball as sitting in the theater dress circle "looking down on the dancers with an air of mingled hearty kindness and feudal ownership. I could excuse the latter, for Utah belongs to him of right."
Brigham Young preaches, "In proportion to our fall through sin so shall we be
Brigham Young preaches, "In proportion to our fall through sin so shall we be exalted in the presence of our Father and God."
Brigham Young speaks about future complex
Brigham Young speaks about future complex of twenty-four temples in Independence, Missouri: "A tower upon Each then a main high Tower in the center with gardens on the top of the Towers with fruit & flowers growing thereon." On July 8, 1861 he said the temple complex will cover ten acres of land.
Brigham Young tells conference that Joseph
Brigham Young tells conference that Joseph Smith III will never become LDS president but that martyred prophet prophesied this role for David H. Smith.
Brigham Young writes to several Indian
Brigham Young writes to several Indian chiefs: "We have been informed that you have determined to take up the war hatchet, and to kill the whites who are peaceably traveling across the country; . . . It is better to suffer wrong than to do wrong. I have always been your friend and have endeavored to do you good, and you must abide my command."
CHICAGO TIMES notes, in an article
CHICAGO TIMES notes, in an article about the newly opened Chicago Museum: "There are the two mummies which in the hands of Joe Smith were made to give a revelation and still they bear the original tablets with the cabalistic or coptic characters thereon."
Daniel D. McArthur Company departs on their journey
Daniel D. McArthur Company departs on their journey.
General Patrick Edward Connor and Federal
General Patrick Edward Connor and Federal Indian superintendent James D. Doty meet with the Southern Utes. After the chiefs had expressed some apprehensions, Connor is able to dissuade them from the idea that the army wanted to fight or exterminate them. The Utes had been told this by Mormon leaders.
Heber C. Kimball preaches
Heber C. Kimball preaches: "Think of your holy endowments and what you have been anointed to become, and reflect upon the blessings which have been placed upon you for they are the same in part that were placed upon Jesus; he was the one that inducted his Apostles into these ordinances; it was he who set up the kingdom of which we are subjects."
Horton D. Haight Company departs on their journey
Horton D. Haight Company departs on their journey.
In 1863 there were 50 missionaries
In 1863 there were 50 missionaries called to serve.
Isaac A. Canfield Company departs on their journey
Isaac A. Canfield Company departs on their journey.
John F. Sanders Company departs on their journey
John F. Sanders Company departs on their journey.
John R. Murdock Company departs on their journey
John R. Murdock Company departs on their journey.
John R. Young Company departs on their journey
John R. Young Company departs on their journey.
John W. Woolley Company departs on their journey
John W. Woolley Company departs on their journey.
Orson Pratt Jr. son of Apostle
Orson Pratt Jr. son of Apostle Orson Pratt writes to Brigham Young to refuse a mission call he had previously accepted: "During your recent visit to St. George, I informed you of the change that had taken place in my religious views, thinking that, in such a case, you would not insist on my undertaking the mission assigned me. You received me kindly and gave me what I have no doubt you considered good fatherly advice. I was much affected during the interview and hastily made a promise which, subsequent reflection convinces me it is not my duty to perform. . . . Should any thing hereafter occur to convince me that my present decision is unwise I shall be ready to revoke it." Pratt's "change . . . in my religious views" was that he did not consider Joseph Smith a prophet nor the LDS church true.
Passenger ship AMAZON departs London with 882 Mormon emigrants aboard
Passenger ship AMAZON departs London with 882 Mormon emigrants aboard, British author Charles Dickens observes: "Now, I have seen emigrant ships before this day in june. And these people are so strikingly different from all other people in like circumstances whom I have ever seen." He explains: "Nobody is in an ill-temper, nobody is the worse for drink, nobody swears an oath or uses a coarse word, nobody appears depressed, nobody is weeping . . . they established their own police, made their own regulations, and set their own watches at all hatchways."
Peter Nebeker Company departs on their journey
Peter Nebeker Company departs on their journey.
President Brigham Young was arrested on a charge of bigamy and placed under
President Brigham Young was arrested on a charge of bigamy and placed under a $2,000 bond by Judge Kinney. He was never brought to trial, however.
Rosel Hyde Company departs on their journey
Rosel Hyde Company departs on their journey.
Samuel D. White Company departs on their journey
Samuel D. White Company departs on their journey.
The 1863 Church Membership 71,770
1863 Church Membership 71,770
Thomas E. Ricks Company departs on their journey
Thomas E. Ricks Company departs on their journey.
William B. Preston Company departs on their journey
William B. Preston Company departs on their journey.
1864
A small group of Saints bound
A small group of Saints bound for Utah sailed from Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Five days later another group set sail for Utah from South Africa.
Assistant Adjutant General Richard C. Drum,
Assistant Adjutant General Richard C. Drum, staff officer of the Army of the Pacific, wires General Patrick Edward Connor, commander at Ft. Douglas: "The major-general commanding the department approves of your determination to avoid a conflict with the Mormons. Do so by all means. Is there not some other cause than the mere presence of the guard in the city? Examine closely. Remove the guards and troops rather than their presence should cause a war."
Brigham Young casually tells John Taylor
Brigham Young casually tells John Taylor and George A. Smith, "I have ordained my sons, Joseph A., Brigham, and John W., apostles and my counselors, have you any objections?" Taylor and Smith reply that they did not, that it was his own affair, and that they considered it to be under his own direction.
Brigham Young preaches that part of the endowment ceremony can be given to Aaronic
Brigham Young preaches that part of the endowment ceremony can be given to Aaronic priesthood boys to "receive the ordinances pertaining to the Aaronic order of Priesthood." Holders of Melchizedek priesthood would then receive that part of the endowment separately. LDS leaders periodically discuss this change, but continue to require young men (some as young as ten) to be ordained to the Melchizedek priesthood.
Brigham Young preaches, "I do not want 'Mormonism' to become popular; I would
Brigham Young preaches, "I do not want 'Mormonism' to become popular; I would not, if I could, make it as popular as the Roman Catholic Church is in Italy, or as the Church of England is in England, because the wicked and ungodly would crowd into it in their sins. There are enough of such characters in it now."
Brigham Young preaches: "The gifts of the Gospel are given to strengthen the faith
Brigham Young preaches: "The gifts of the Gospel are given to strengthen the faith of the believer;--'They shall speak with new tongues,' saith Jesus. The stranger who is ignorant of our history inquires:--'Have you the gift of tongues in your Church?' Yes, and were I to permit it now, hundreds of the Elders and the sisters would rise up in this congregation and speak in new tongues, and interpret as well as the learned of the age; but I do not permit it."
Brigham Young tells the apostles, "I
Brigham Young tells the apostles, "I have ordained my Son Brigham Jr. to all the Power I hold as one of my Councilors." Brigham Young Jr. had been ordained an apostle by his father two months previously but not is not admitted to the quorum for four more years.
Brigham Young writes to Daniel H.
Brigham Young writes to Daniel H. Wells who is in Liverpool: "A few days ago Bishop Sharp rented the store opposite the South Gate of the Temple Block to Capt. Stover, for the use of the Commissary Department, and on Sunday the 10th inst., while I was in Provo, a skeleton company of cavalry occupied it as Provost Guard. This move being entirely contrary to the purpose for which the building was rented and altogether uncalled for, caused a little excitement, which, however, allayed soon after my return." Young returned to Salt Lake City accompanied by a guard of over 1000 Mormons. Three days later Army leaders wired instructions to General Connor in Salt Lake City to remove the provost guard citing "much dissatisfaction that may result" due to its presence.
General Patrick Edward Connor
General Patrick Edward Connor, commander at Fort Douglas, telegraphs his superiors: "Encouraged by the unfavorable news from the East, the Mormons are assuming a very hostile attitude. They have about 1,000 men under arms and are still assembling, and threaten to drive my provost guard from the city; alleged excuse for armed demonstration, the presence of the provost guard in the city. My command is much scattered, having only 300 men at this camp. If conflict takes place, which I will endeavor to avoid, can hold my position until re-enforced from neighboring Territories."
In 1864 there were 52 missionaries
In 1864 there were 52 missionaries called to serve.
Isaac A. Canfield Company departs on their journey
Isaac A. Canfield Company departs on their journey.
John D. Chase Company departs on their journey
John D. Chase Company departs on their journey.
John R. Murdock Company departs on their journey
John R. Murdock Company departs on their journey.
John Smith Company departs on their journey
John Smith Company departs on their journey.
Joseph F. Smith History
Served short-term mission to Hawaii.
Joseph S. Rawlins Company departs
Joseph S. Rawlins Company departs on their journey.
Joseph W. Young Company departs on their journey
Joseph W. Young Company departs on their journey.
Lorenzo Snow History
Member of Utah Territorial Legislature.
Netherlands mission is created
Netherlands mission is created
Sandwich Islands mission is created
Sandwich Islands mission is created
Strike for higher wages by laborers
Strike for higher wages by laborers doing construction on East Temple Street (now Main Street) and on Salt Lake City Hall. DESERET NEWS on June 29 criticizes their "coercion . . . when the same end might be obtained in a more agreeable way."
The 1864 Church Membership 74,348
1864 Church Membership 74,348
The Deseret News reports the setting
The Deseret News reports the setting up of a list of articles and prices in gold for Utah markets. Flour is put at $12 a hundred pounds, wheat $5 a bushel, and corn $4. This is, in reality, a form of price control.
Udgorn Seion (Welsh) ceases publication
Udgorn Seion (Welsh) ceases publication.
Warren S. Snow Company departs on their journey
Warren S. Snow Company departs on their journey.
William B. Preston Company departs on their journey
William B. Preston Company departs on their journey.
William D. Pritchett Company departs on their journey
William D. Pritchett Company departs on their journey.
William Hyde Company departs on their journey
William Hyde Company departs on their journey.
William S. Warren Company departs on their journey
William S. Warren Company departs on their journey.
1865
A war with the Indians
A war with the Indians began in central Utah, known as the Black Hawk War. It lasted until 1867.
Abraham Lincoln signed the document abolishing
Abraham Lincoln signed the document abolishing slavery in the United States. After ratification by 27 states. The measure became the 13th Amendment to the Constitution on Dec. 18, 1865.
Brigham Young preaches: "We have persons
Brigham Young preaches: "We have persons in this church who have preached and published doctrines on the subject of the Deity which are not true. Elder Orson Pratt has written extensively on the doctrines of this church, and upon this particular doctrine. When he writes and speaks upon subjects with which he is acquainted and understands, he is a very sound reasoner; but when he has written upon matters of which he knows nothing--his own philosophy, which I call vain philosophy--he is wild, uncertain, and contradictory. . . . God created man, as we create our children; for there is no other process of creation in heaven, on the earth, in the earth, or under the earth, or in all the eternities, that is, that were, or that ever will be. . . . Since the founding of the Roman empire monogamy has prevailed more extensively than in times previous to that. The founders of that ancient empire were robbers and women stealers, and made laws favoring monogamy in consequence of the scarcity of women among them, and hence this monogamic system which now prevails throughout all Christendom, and which has been so fruitful a source of prostitution and whoredom throughout all the Christian monogamic cities of the Old and New World, until rottenness and decay are at the root of their institutions both national and religious.." In the congregation is visiting Speaker of the U.S. House of representatives and future vice-president Schuyler Colfax.
Church agreed to build a telegraph line connecting Utah settlements
Church agreed to build a telegraph line connecting Utah settlements.
Civil War ends; President Lincoln assassinated
Civil War ends; President Lincoln assassinated.
D. J. McCann Freight Train departs
D. J. McCann Freight Train departs on their journey.
Deseret News begins using a Hoe cylinder steam-powered press (1,800 papers/hour)
Deseret News begins using a Hoe cylinder steam-powered press (1,800 papers/hour).
Eastern States mission is created
Eastern States mission is created
First Presidency and Twelve publish proclamation
First Presidency and Twelve publish proclamation against Lucy Mack Smith's BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET and against some of Apostle Orson Pratt's published teachings. Concerning Mother Smith's biography of her son: "Every one in the Church, male or female, if they have such a book, to dispose of it." Proclamation also threatens excommunication against anyone espousing doctrines such as Pratt's statement: "The Father and Son do not progress in knowledge and wisdom, because they already know all things past, present, and to come."
Henson Walker Company departs on their journey
Henson Walker Company departs on their journey.
In 1865 there were 71 missionaries
In 1865 there were 71 missionaries called to serve.
In a special conference, the Church
In a special conference, the Church agreed to build a telegraph line connecting the settlements in Utah. The line was completed in 1867.
Joseph F. Smith History
Ordained an Apostle and set apart as a counselor in the First Presidency.
Miner G. Atwood Company departs on their journey
Miner G. Atwood Company departs on their journey.
Orson Pratt and William W. Ritter
Orson Pratt and William W. Ritter arrived in Austria. They were soon banished.
President Lincoln asks Brigham Young to provide 90 men to protect mail and telegraph
President Lincoln asks Brigham Young to provide 90 men to protect mail and telegraph lines in Wyoming.
SALT LAKE TELEGRAM reports that Salt
SALT LAKE TELEGRAM reports that Salt Lake City's Jews celebrate Yom Kippur in LDS 14th Ward chapel, as arranged by Brigham Young.
Special Church conference in Salt Lake City passes a motion to erect a telegraph
Special Church conference in Salt Lake City passes a motion to erect a telegraph line from St. Charles to St. George.
Special conference agrees to build telegraph
Special conference agrees to build telegraph line in Utah. At same time Black Hawk War with Native American Indians commences in central Utah and continues for two years.
The 1865 Church Membership 76,771
1865 Church Membership 76,771
The Conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle
The Conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Chior is Robert Sands. Directed the choir for the first performance in the Salt Lake Tabernacle, 1867.
The Deseret News begins a semi-weekly edition
The Deseret News begins a semi-weekly edition (continues until 1922).
The Deseret News publishes a call for young men to become Deseret Telegraph operators
The Deseret News publishes a call for young men to become Deseret Telegraph operators.
The Pony Dispatch (extras from the Deseret News) discontinued
The Pony Dispatch (extras from the Deseret News) discontinued.
U.S. President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated
U.S. President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth in Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., while watching a performance of "Our American Cousin."
Wilford Woodruff records: "President Young spoke
Wilford Woodruff records: "President Young spoke 40 minutes. He spoke his Feelings in great plainness Concerning Orson. Pratt & his publications. He said Orson Pratt would go to Hell. Joseph Smith said he would when Orson said in Nauvoo, Illinois that he would believe his wife Sarah before he would Joseph Smith. He will go to Hell as Joseph Said. He would Sell this people for gold. What would I give for Such an Apostle? Not much and yet we hold him in Fellowship in the Church."
Wilford Woodruff records: "We met in a Bowery at Manti to hold a 2
Wilford Woodruff records: "We met in a Bowery at Manti to hold a 2 days Meeting. A Company of 50 men went out to try to overtake & punish the Indians who were killing the people. Col Warren L Snow had Charge of the Command. Our Meeting opened by prayer by W. Woodruff. John Taylor Spoke 28 minutes. (While speaking it was found that many had loaded guns in the Congregation. All that were loaded was taken out & stashed outside & a guard put over them.)"
Wilford Woodruff writes, "April fool day
Wilford Woodruff writes, "April fool day I spent the day in the Endowment House whare there was no fooling."
William S. Godbe Company departs on their journey
William S. Godbe Company departs on their journey.
William S. S. Willes Company departs
William S. S. Willes Company departs on their journey.
Young men and women attend a school of telegraphy in Salt Lake City
Young men and women attend a school of telegraphy in Salt Lake City to operate the Deseret Telegraph.
1866
Abner Lowry Company departs on their journey
Abner Lowry Company departs on their journey.
Andrew H. Scott Company departs on their journey
Andrew H. Scott Company departs on their journey.
Brigham Young orders a committee formed
Brigham Young orders a committee formed to "correct the errors in the History of Joseph Smith as published by Mother Smith & then let it be published to the world." Young had earlier ordered all copies of Lucy Mack Smith's book burned. The new edition of the book contains a preface which explains that Lucy Mack Smith's book had been altered so that her testimony might be "preserved."
Brigham Young preaches, "We who are
Brigham Young preaches, "We who are called Latter-day Saints are Gentiles by birth--we are nationally so."
Brigham Young preaches: "Why does not our government make a law to say how
Brigham Young preaches: "Why does not our government make a law to say how many children a man shall have? They might as well do so as to make a law to say how many wives a man shall have."
Brigham Young requested bishops reorganize Relief Societies in wards
Brigham Young requested bishops reorganize Relief Societies in wards.
Brigham Young tells general conference
Brigham Young tells general conference: "Not six months before the death of Joseph, he called his wife Emma into a secret council, and there he told her the truth, and called upon her to deny it if she could. He told her that the judgments of God would come upon her forthwith if she did not repent. He told her of the time she undertook to poison him, and he told her that she was a child of hell, and literally the most wicked woman on this earth, that there was not one more wicked then she. He told her where she got the poison, and how she put it in a cup of coffee; said he, 'You got that poison so and so, and I drank it, but you could not kill me.' When it entered his stomach he went to the door and threw it off. He spoke to her in that council in a very severe manner, and she never said one word in reply. I have witnesses of this scene all around, who can testify that I am now telling the truth. Twice she undertook to kill him."
Brigham Young tells general conference it is right of Joseph Smith's last son
Brigham Young tells general conference it is right of Joseph Smith's last son, David H. Smith, to be president of LDS church.
Circleville Massacre, in which local Mormon
Circleville Massacre, in which local Mormon militia shoots hand-tied Piede Indian men, then slits throats of their women and children one-by-one. Of this incident commanding general Daniel H. Wells (Brigham Young's counselor) writes that these "brethren" did what was necessary.
Daniel Thompson Company departs on their journey
Daniel Thompson Company departs on their journey.
Deseret Book Company created by George Q
Deseret Book Company created by George Q. Cannon and Sons as a retail bookstore and publisher.
DESERET NEWS reports murder of S.
DESERET NEWS reports murder of S. Newton Brassfield on 2 Apr.
Deseret Telegraph connected from Salt Lake City to Ogden
Deseret Telegraph connected from Salt Lake City to Ogden; Brigham Young sends the first message.
Deseret Telegraph connected in Logan
Deseret Telegraph connected in Logan.
Deseret Telegraph connected in Manti
Deseret Telegraph connected in Manti.
Dr. J. King Robinson is murdered
Dr. J. King Robinson is murdered in Salt Lake City. Witnesses see seven men leaving scene of crime but claim inability to identify them. Brigham Young publicly condemns the act, offers $500 reward on Oct 23 for arrest of murderes. After three Salt Lake City police officers (all Mormons) are charged with the murder, Young withdraws reward on Feb. 1, 1872 because he has "no desire to endanger the lives of innocent men."
During Dr. J. King Robinson's lawsuit
During Dr. J. King Robinson's lawsuit against Salt Lake City, mob of twenty to thirty men destroy his "bowling-saloon" in city. Police chief Andrew Burt and two policemen are identified as members of mob, and Robinson tells Mayor Daniel H. Wells on Oct 20 that he will sue city for damages. He is ejected from mayor's office.
Emma Smith Bidemon, widow of Joseph
Emma Smith Bidemon, widow of Joseph Smith, writes to her son Joseph Smith III, "I know very well that if your Father had been a little acquainted with the laws of our country he might have avoided a great deal of trouble."
First conference conducted in the newly completed Tabernacle on Temple Square
First conference conducted in the newly completed Tabernacle on Temple Square.
Following the regular Sunday prayer circle
Following the regular Sunday prayer circle of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve, Brigham Young "arose from his knees and took off his apron with an intention apparently of undressing. Of a sudden he stopped and exclaimed, "Hold On, should I do as I feel it? I always feel well to do as the spirit constrains me. It is in my mind to ordain Elder Joseph F. Smith to the apostleship. And to be one of my counsellors." And then called on each one of us for an expression of our feelings and we individually responded and it met our hardy approval, and we then offered up the signs of the priesthood after which Elder Joseph F. Smith, knelt upon the alter and taking off his cap we laid our hands upon him, brother Brigham being mouth and we repeated after him in the usual form. We said, "Brother Joseph F. Smith, we lay our hands upon your head in the name of Jesus Christ and by the virtue of the holy priesthood to ordain you to be an apostle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and be a special witness to the nations of the earth and seal upon your head all the authority and power, and keys of this holy apostleship and ordain you to be a counsellor unto the first Presidency of the church and the kingdom of God upon the earth. These blessings we seal upon your head in the name of Jesus Christ by the authority of the Holy Priesthood. Amen." After the ordination, Brother Brigham said that this is the first time that any person has been ordained in this manner.…" Joseph F. Smith, although ordained an apostle, is not admitted to the Quorum until more than a year later when Amasa M. Lyman is removed. After the ordination Young "suggested to us that it would be wisdom for us to keep the fact of this ordination to ourselves." Knowledge of the secret ordination is kept even from Heber C. Kimball, Young's first counselor and Joseph F. Smith's father-in-law.
Horton D. Haight Company departs on their journey
Horton D. Haight Company departs on their journey.
In 1866 there were 32 missionaries
In 1866 there were 32 missionaries called to serve.
John D. Holladay Company departs on their journey
John D. Holladay Company departs on their journey.
Joseph F. Smith History
Tabernacle on Temple Square (Salt Lake City, Utah) completed.