TODAY IN CHURCH HISTORY: 09 October

[Hemidakota]

1838 - The Saints living in DeWitt, Missouri, continued under siege by the mob. The Prophet Joseph was with them hoping to find a way for the Saints to stay in peace. He records that they were starving as the mob would not let them leave to gather food. They were being shot at and conditions were unbearable. He records, "Some of the brethren perished from starvation; and for once in my life, I had the pain of beholding some of my fellow creatures fall victims to the spirit of persecution" (History of the Church, 3:158).

1843 - During the funeral sermon for James Adams on the last day of general conference, the Prophet Joseph stated, "Reading the experiences of others, or the revelation given to them, can never give us a comprehensive view of our condition and true relation to God. Knowledge of these things can only be obtained by experience through the ordinances of God set forth for that purpose. Could you gaze into heaven five minutes, you would know more than you would by reading all that ever was written on the subject" (History of the Church, 6:50).

1845 - Even though the Saints had agreed to leave Nauvoo, Illinois, in the spring, the mobs continued to threaten the Saints. Brigham Young records, "There seems to be no disposition abroad but to massacre the whole body of this people, and nothing but the power of God can save us from the cruel ravages of the bloodthirsty mob" (History of the Church, 7:481).

1846 - The last group of Saints (known as the "poor camp") who had been thrown out of Nauvoo, Illinois, during the "Battle of Nauvoo" and who are camped on the West side of the Mississippi River in terrible conditions, avoid starvation through the "miracle of the quail." Hundreds of quail land in the camp and are easily caught, providing meat for the starving Saints.

1848 - The abandoned Nauvoo Temple is burned to the ground in a spectacular fire that could be seen for miles. Years later on his death bed, Joseph Agnew claims he was the arsonist who set the fire.

1875 - The Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, is dedicated by Elder John Taylor. While it had been used for several years, it had not yet been dedicated.

1898 - Lorenzo Snow is sustained as the fifth President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

1982 - The First Presidency announces the plans for a temple in Freiberg, German Democratic Republic. It was the only Temple built in a communist nation.

1994 - The Orlando Florida Temple is dedicated by President Howard W. Hunter.

1998 - A monument to the pioneers who first settled the St. George, Utah, area on the campus of Dixie State College, is dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley.