Today in Mormon History - Jun 03

[TodayInMormonHistory]

On this day in Mormon History
http://TodayInMormonHistory.com/

-- 195 years ago today - June 3-6, 1831 --

The fourth general conference of the Church is held in Kirtland, Ohio. Two thousand persons attend. The previous day Joseph prophesied that "the man of sin" would be revealed. After many evil manifestations of the spirit of Satan descending upon one member after another, Joseph rebukes Satan and many wonderful spiritual manifestations are experienced (including Joseph prophesying that John the Revelator is among the ten tribes and Lyman Wight seeing a vision of the Son sitting on the right hand of the Father). Elders are ordained as high priests for the first time in this dispensation. (1)
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-- 195 years ago today - Jun 3, 1831 --

Kirtland Conference where High Priesthood first ordained. Melchizedek priesthood not yet mentioned. Visions, seeing angels, and members acting like wild Indians reported. (2)
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-- 180 years ago today - Jun 03, 1846 --

Jesse Little, a representative of the Church, meets with U.S. President James K. Polk in Washington, D.C., to discuss plans for establishing the Mormon Battalion.
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-- 160 years ago today - Jun 3, 1866 --

Brigham Young preaches, "We who are called Latter-day Saints are Gentiles by birth--we are nationally so." (3)
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-- 155 years ago today - Jun 3, 1871 --

Salt Lake Tabernacle service: "Pres D.H. Wells spoke 25 minutes following President Young's remarks. Not very good attention. Considerable moving about, passing out, and drowsiness."

Salt Lake Stake Deacons Quorum Minute Book records: "Bro [Samuel D.] Chambers said It was a source of happiness to him to be here, feels to be the least of all the saints of God, but blest to be one of the number. It is joy to him to fill all calls made upon him. Asks an interest in our faith and prayers, that he may receive an exaltation in the kingdom of God." Chambers, a former slave, had been a Mormon for 29 years at this time. (4)
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-- 150 years ago today - Jun 3, 1876 --

The Deseret News publishes the grand jury's audit of Salt Lake City Corporation's financial records, which show extensive transactions involving liquor. Municipal funds purchase liquor for Pioneer Day on 24 July and also for a party of Mormon Battalion veterans. The city rents Brigham Young's distillery for $2,000 annually from 1861 to 1867, after which the city government purchases its liquor directly from the Howard Distillery which is owned jointly by Brigham Young and his first counselor Daniel H. Wells. Young is also a member of the Salt Lake City Council (1872-77), and Wells is mayor from 1866 to 1876. The report observes: "After completion of the railroad, the city continued to buy liquor from Brigham Young at $4.00 per gallon, although they could have gotten better 'States' liquor at $1.25 per gallon." (3)
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-- 140 years ago today - Mar 6, 1886 --

Two thousand Mormon women assembled in Salt Lake City to protest the recently enacted Edmunds Act, a federal law designed to bring an end to the Mormons' practice of polygamy. (5)
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-- 135 years ago today - Wednesday, Jun 3, 1891 --
[Apostle John Henry Smith]
F[ranklin]. S. Richards, C[harles]. W. Penrose, and W[illiam]. H. King are getting concerned about my labors in making converts to the Republican cause. (6)
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-- 130 years ago today - Jun 3, 1896 --

Idaho Mormons are still being rebaptized and restored to priesthood blessings eight years after the First Presidency allowed them to be excommunicated in order to vote. (3)
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-- 115 years ago today - Jun 3, 1911 --

the first annual YMMIA inter-stake track meet is held at Wandamere park south of Salt Lake City. This is part of a trend of athletic and recreational programs replacing the cultural and educational emphasis on the ward and stake level. (4)
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-- 55 years ago today - Jun 3, 1971 --

The Public Affairs Department established with five divisions: news and information; electronic media; visitor centers; hosting; and pageants. (7)
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1 - Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology; History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 1:175-77.
2 - Exploring Mormonism: The Law of Consecration Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/the-law-of-consecration-timeline/
3 - The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]
4 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
5 - Matthew J. Grow, Kate Holbrook, Carol Cornwall Madsen, Jill Mulvay Derr, The First Fifty Years of Relief Society: Key Documents in Latter-day Saint Women's History, Chronology. https://churchhistorianspress.org/the-first-fifty-years-of-relief-society/events
6 - Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith
7 - Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown