TODAY IN CHURCH HISTORY: December

[Hemidakota]

1832 - The Prophet Joseph Smith receives additional portions of the revelation recorded as Doctrine and Covenants 88 and known as the "Olive Leaf," which he called "the Lord's message of peace to us." (History of the Church, 1:302-312)

1835 - The Council of Seventy met to render an account of their missions. The Prophet Joseph writes that "his heart was made glad while listening to the relation of those that had been laboring in the vineyard of the Lord, with such marvelous success" (History of the Church, 2:346).

1841 - The Prophet Joseph Smith records that he "baptized Sidney Rigdon in the font, for and in behalf of his parents; also baptized Reynolds Cahoon and others" (History of the Church, 4:486).

1842 - The Prophet Joseph and his company continued on their journey to Springfield, Illinois. They traveled to Rushville and stayed at Mr. Stevenson's Tavern. In the evening, he and his brother Hyrum were measured for height, both standing six feet tall.

1998 - A major revision of the Church Handbook of Instructions was completed. For the first time, all the priesthood and auxiliary leader guides were included in a two-volume handbook. This work replaced thirty earlier handbooks and publications.

2006 - Deseret Book announces they have acquired Covenant Communications and Seagull Book. Both companies will continue to operate independently under the new ownership agreement.

[Hemidakota]

  1833 - Wilford Woodruff begins recording early Latter-day Saint history in his journal. His journals would record the daily events of his life and the Church for sixty-five years.

1835 - The Prophet Joseph, with his wife, parents, and scribe, attended a "blessing meeting." The meeting was opened with song and prayer and then about fifteen persons received patriarchal blessings from the Patriarch, Joseph Smith Sr.. A meal was served afterwards. In the evening, the Prophet attended a meeting at the school house where he preached three hours to a large congregation. (History of the Church, 2:347)

1842 - The Prophet Joseph and his company traveled thirty-two miles in extremely cold weather towards Springfield, Illinois, staying the night at a Captain Dutche's. (History of the Church, 5:210-211)

1843 - The City Council of Nauvoo and the Mayor, Joseph Smith, met and swore in forty men to act as city policemen to help protect the Saints in Nauvoo. Jonathan Dunham was the police captain. The mayor then gave an address to the new sworn officers concerning their duty and the threat from Missouri and trouble makers coming into the city. (History of the Church, 6:149-153)

1845 - After a few days for rest and cleaning of the Temple, the giving of the ordinances began again in the evening. One Thousand Saints have now received their endowments.

1934 - The Church announced a new schedule for Aaronic Priesthood advancement.

[Hemidakota]

1839 - The Prophet Joseph left Philadelphia, with Orson Pratt, and traveled to a branch of the Church in Monmouth county, New Jersey, to spend several days with the Saints there. (History of the Church, 4:49)

1842 - The Prophet Joseph, and those traveling with him, arrived in Springfield, Illinois and the home of Judge Adams'. He meets with several people in preparation for his court appearance. In the evening at Judge Adams', where they lodged, the Prophet Joseph taught that "Christ and the resurrected Saints will reign over the earth during the thousand years." He explained that while they may not dwell on the earth, they would visit it anytime they wanted or when it was necessary to govern it. He also stated that wicked, or those not baptized, would live during the thousand years but those who choose not to worship the Savior would "eventually be destroyed from the earth" (History of the Church, 5:212).

1845 - Ending the work of the ordinances early-8:30 p.m.-it was decided to have a little relaxation to finish the day. A brother Hansen produced his violin and dancing commenced. Brigham Young records that "The spirit of dancing increased until the whole floor was covered with dancers, and while we danced before the Lord, we shook the dust off our feet as a testimony against this nation" (History of the Church, 7:557). After an hour of dancing, the group enjoyed a few songs that were sung. Sister Whitney sang in tongues, the interpretation was given by her husband, Bishop Whitney. Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball also spoke in tongues. The evening was closed with prayer.

1854 - Colonel Edward Steptoe, who had been sent by U.S. President Franklin Pierce to replace Brigham Young as governor of the territory of Utah, and other prominent non-Mormons in Utah, draw up and sign a petition asking President Pierce to retain Brigham Young as governor because of how well the territory was being run. Colonel Steptoe refused to be governor after arriving in Utah and seeing the truth about how things were being run.

1973 - Spencer W. Kimball is ordained and set apart as the twelfth President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. N. Eldon Tanner and Marion G. Romney were called as his counselors. [To my friend ]

1979 - The first branch of the Church is organized on La Reunion, an island in the Indian Ocean.

[Hemidakota]

1833 - Wilford Woodruff is baptized in an icy stream near Richland, New York.

1836 - The ice was cut in the river and Dr. Willard Richards was baptized in Kirtland, Ohio, by Brigham Young.

1838 - The Prophet Joseph closes the year in Liberty Jail. He writes, "Thus, in a land of liberty, in the town of Liberty, Clay county, Missouri, my fellow prisoners and I in chains, and dungeons, saw the close of 1838" (History of the Church, 3:244).

1842 - The Prophet Joseph Smith, in Springfield, Illinois, formally petitioned the Governor to issue a new writ, which was approved. He was then arrested and appeared in court before Judge Pope to request a writ of habeas corpus. Presenting his case was his attorney, Mr. Butterfield, who stated that the Prophet was not in Missouri when the crime was supposedly to have taken place and that the position of the Governor of Missouri was flawed. The writ of habeas corpus was granted and the Prophet was freed on a $2,000 bail. His trial was set for January 2. The Prophet visited with Governor Ford and others during the remainder of the day. (History of the Church, 5:212-213)

1843 - The Prophet Joseph attended a prayer meeting and then retired to bed. He was awaken at midnight by about fifty musicians and singers outside his window singing W. W. Phelps New Year's Hymn. (History of the Church, 6:153)

1887 - Because of the antipolygamy persecutions, the Church is forced to stop work on the Salt Lake Temple.

1900 - At the end of the nineteenth century, the Church has 283,765 members, 43 stakes, 20 missions, 967 wards and branches, and 4 operating temples.

1940 - The First Presidency releases a statement on the military, indicating that the Church will not knowingly call young men on missions to have them avoid the draft established in the United States.

1948 - A report of total value of the relief supplies sent to the Saints in Europe after World War II amounts to $1,736, 000.

1952 - The Church announces that the Primary will sponsor Cub Scout groups.

1970 - The Millennial Star, the oldest continuous Church publication, ends publication. It had been published in England since 1840. The British Saints will now begin to receive the Ensign magazine.

1999 - Jerold Ottley retires as the director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He is replaced by Craig Jessop.

2000 - At the end of the twentieth century, the Church has 11,068,861 members, 3,202 stakes and districts, 334 missions, 25,915 wards and branches, and 102 operating temples.

[Palerider]

1836 - The ice was cut in the river and Dr. Willard Richards was baptized in Kirtland, Ohio, by Brigham Young.



only thing I can say to this is.....WOW!!!!!!

[Hemidakota]

I remembered when I was baptized in China, I was dunked three times in cold water. The missionaries present complained there was no hot water in the font. It was well worth it though.