Today in Mormon History - Jul 15

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On this day in Mormon History
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-- 195 years ago today - Mid-July 1831 --

Joseph's party arrives in Independence, Mo. There is a glorious reunion with missionaries there. Jackson County population at this time is less than 3,000, and land costs $1.25 per acre. Joseph records that the people are nearly a century behind the times; Parley Pratt notes that they are still living in skins and very primitive conditions. Because of the primitive land, Joseph wonders how Zion can ever be built in her glory in such a place, and receives D&C 57. The first Sunday after their arrival, W. W. Phelps preaches at the western boundary of the United States to a congregation made up of all races and peoples. Two are baptized. (1)
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-- 185 years ago today - Jul 15, 1841 --

TIMES and SEASONS prints a "Dialogue on Mormonism" which presents LDS doctrine and claims in dialogue form. Speaking of the Book of Mormon peoples: "Mr. M. You will observe by this account Mr. R. that this people who landed here were Jews, this you know agrees with the idea, which many learned men have had, that the Indians are descendants of the Jews. Mr. R. I am aware that this idea is generally entertained among the learned."
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-- 180 years ago today - Wednesday, Jul 15, 1846. --

[Brigham Young said] the remainder of the 12 to get the soldiers together and instruct them how to behave, etc., on their expedition, wear their temple garments, and prove themselves the best soldiers, and instruct the other brethren con [?] in carrying out the decisions of the council of yesterday. Lots were cast between O. Hyde, P. P. Pratt and J. Taylor, which two should go to England, and the lot fell on Brothers Hyde and Taylor to go. "Soldiers can tarry and go to work when they are disbanded, and the next temple should be built in the Rocky Mountains," and he wanted the Twelve and the old brethren to live in the mountains where the temple is to be, and where the brethren will have to come to get their endowments.

President Young said he would prophecy that the time would come when some one of the Twelve, or a high priest, would come up and say can't we have a temple at Vancouver Island, or at California, etc., etc., but it is wisdom to unite all our forces to build one house in the mountains. (2)
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1 - Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology; History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 1:188-89.
2 - Willard Richards Journal