Today in Mormon History - Dec 17

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Dec 17, 2025, 8:43:17 PM12/17/25
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On this day in Mormon History
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-- 195 years ago today - 1830 Dec 17 --

Oliver Cowdery mentions temple to be built in Independence (1)
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-- 190 years ago today - Dec 17, 1835 --

Joseph discusses Orson's letter with him "and satisfyed his mind upon every point." Joseph Sr. and Lucy, "sorely afflicted in mind" by the difficulty between Joseph and William, call on Joseph. He persuades them that "I was not to blame" and invites them to move in with him. They agree. I told Elder Cahoon, of the Temple committee, that we must sustain the Twelve, and not let them go down; if we do not, they must go down, for the burden is on them, and is coming on them heavier and heavier. If the Twelve go down, we must go down, and we must sustain them. (2)
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-- 185 years ago today - 1840 Dec 17 --

The Council of Revision passes the Nauvoo charter. It will take effect on Feb. 1, 1841. The charter is then signed by Governor Carlin. It includes provisions for the city of Nauvoo, the Nauvoo Legion, the University of the City of Nauvoo, and all other municipal necessities. In addition to Governor Carlin, Stephen A. Douglas, Illinois secretary of state, signs it. The charter was written by Joseph Smith, John C. Bennett, and Robert B. Thompson. Once the charter was complete, Bennett took it to the state legislature and pushed it through in 21 days. Bennett pushes through ordinance that all crime charges must be backed by 2-3 witnesses, allowing spiritual wifery to flourish. (1)
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-- 180 years ago today - Dec 17, 1845. Wednesday. --
[William Clayton]
....Brother Lucian R. Foster is now appointed to keep the Records of the endowment. Margaret came with me to the Temple this morning and received her washing and anointing. She was washed by Sister Patty Sessions and anointed by Sister Mary Ann Pratt wife of Elder Parley P. Pratt one of the Twelve. I conducted her through the remaining ceremonies and also received her through into the upper or Celestial department. I feel grateful for this privilege and for all the blessings I receive from day to day for the mercies of the Lord to me are great and many of them. I instructed Brother [Lucien R.] Foster in regard to keeping the Record and in the evening assisted Elder Young and Kimball to collect a list of brethren to come here on Saturday . . . (3)
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[William Clayton]
At 35 m[inutes] past 7, President B. Young came in, and at 9, appointed each man his particular duty for the day.

At 9, commenced washing . . .

At 20 minutes past 2 o clock P.M. Bishop Miller perfumed 45 Bottles of Oil after which the following brethren, viz. Heber C. Kimball, Orson Pratt, Amasa Lyman, George A. Smith, W. W. Phelps, and Joseph Young clothed themselves and retired to Elder Kimballs room, where after offering up the signs of the Holy Priesthood they dedicated and consecrated the whole for the anointing in the following order, viz: ... after which they consecrated 2 Bottles to the healing of the sick. They then offered up prayers for the sick and other subjects, according to our daily custom, Geo. A. Smith being mouth, at 3 o clock they undressed . . .

About 6 o dock, P.M. President Young selected the following persons to work on Thursday and notified them to be present . . .

He also selected a list of names of persons to be present on Friday to receive their washing and anointing; and put the list into the hands of John Pack to give notice to the individuals. About 20 minutes past 10, about 16 or 18 persons assembled in the east room and sung a hymn, and joined in prayer with President Young. He slept in the Temple, also his son Joseph and 10 or 12 other persons. (3)
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-- 165 years ago today - Dec 17, 1860 --

The President [Brigham Young] had some conversation with him upon the Character of Pres[ident] James Buchanan and Daniel Webster, he noticed that Pres[ident] Buchanan would do things that would sacrifice his friends for ever and he would scarcely know why they had deserted him; he was wanting in a knowledge of men and things, whatever claim, he may have to ability in some things. He was a Keen shrewd politician to these remarks Mr. Edward Creighton courteously acquiesced.... (4)
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-- 140 years ago today - Dec 17, 1885 (Thursday) --

Bishop David K. Udall, of St. Johns, Ariz., who on a trumped up charge of perjury had been sentenced to imprisonment in Detroit, Michigan, was pardoned by Pres. Cleveland and immediately released. (5)
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-- 130 years ago today - Dec 17, 1895 --

I am directed by the First Presidency to say in answer to your favor of [the] 10th inst., that in the cases to which you refer, the same rule holds good with regard to both living and dead. For those who have associated with any upon whom rests the curse of Cain[,] baptisms can be performed, but endowments cannot be received. The fact of them being dead does not make any difference in regard to this law. (6)
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-- 90 years ago today - Dec 17, 1935 --

Bishop Cannon discussed with President McKay the subject of anointing with consecrated oil. The statement was made that Elder John A. Widtsoe had directed that the elders in Europe should anoint the head only. It was felt that if the sick person desires to be anointed by the elders on the afflicted part, this may be done and the sick person allowed to drink some of the consecrated oil. President McKay suggested that the matter be brought up again on the return of President Grant. (7)
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1 - https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A
2 - Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml
3 - George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton
4 - Brigham Young Office Journals, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses
5 - Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology
6 - George Reynolds to Levi Savage, Dec. 17, 1895, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship
7 - First Presidency, Meeting with Presiding Bishopric, Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010

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