-- Aug 21, 1894
[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill Diary] Tuesday. We opened the Temple today after closing on the 13th of July. We baptized 87 today. Almira, my wife, here today; brought Leon, her youngest boy, and he was baptized, he being 8 years old and it being his birthday. (1)
-- Sep 25, 1894
[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill Diary] Tuesday. This is my birthday, 62 today. Received a present from Maria L. Merrill, a nice family picture; also from Sophia, a nice necktie. We baptized 153. Phebe, my daughter, was here and baptized for her health. Her mother, Sarah A. Merrill, was with her. (1)
-- Sep 27, 1894
[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill Diary] Thursday. I came from the farm this a. m.; brought Nellie, my daughter; she was baptized in the Temple, being 8 years old today. (1)
-- Jun 3, 1895
[Francis M. Lyman] [Loa] I spoke 75 minutes upon rebaptism, Statehood and woman suffrage. At close of the meeting met my brother Amasa. First time in 6 years. He looks old and weighs 140 lbs. (2)
-- Jun 4, 1895
[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill Diary] Tuesday. Ezra, my son, was rebaptized today, and Lewis last week, May 28th. I attended the closing exercises at the A. C. College at 11 a. m. and witnessed the conferring of a degree upon Lewis, my son, and one other student. Sarah and Almira, my wives, were present at the College. (1)
-- Sep 26, 1895
[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 26 Have severe Cold upon my Lungs. I went to the Temple with the Twelve. We talked over the Subjet of ReBaptizing people for wrong Doings &c. I went home sick & sent for Andrew Smith to Come & nurse me which He did do. (3)
-- Tues., Oct 1, 1895
[Apostle Abraham H. Cannon Journal] Bro. Lyman related of the joining to the church of several old time Mormons, and said he could not help feeling sorry for these men who have lost so much time and so many blessings by their apostasy. Some desultory talk was now had in which the following truths were told: Joseph Smith tried the faith of the Saints many times by his peculiarities. At one time he had preached a powerful sermon on the Word of Wisdom, and immediately thereafter he rode through the streets of Nauvoo smoking a cigar. Some of the brethren were tried as was Abraham of old. The Prophet said that the scripture concerning the putting of new wine into old bottles referred to the teaching of the Gospel to old traditionated people, many of whom were unable to stand the new truths. Even baptism for the dead was once unacceptable to the Saints. (4)
-- Dec 3, 1895
[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill Diary] Tuesday. I went to Franklin and got four pairs of colored blankets; gave two pairs to Almira and two pairs to Maria (my wives). Came to Logan; roads rough and bad; arrived at 5:30 p. m. Took supper at my boarding house with my school boys. Baptized 343 today. (1)
-- 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. [George Reynolds to Levi Savage, Dec. 17, 1895] (5)
-- Apr 7, 1896
First Presidency announces at conference priesthood meeting the end of salaries for local church officers. On Apr. 2, the temple council decides "to not pay Salaries to any one but the Twelve." However, in 1898, hierarchy returns to fixed allotments for general authorities. First Presidency and apostles decide that baptisms for dead and all other baptism ordinances eliminate words "for remission of sins" or "renewal of covenants," and use only the words in DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS. They also give "Instructions relative to the burying of the dead . . . that they should not be exposed to the public gaze in the meeting houses with their Temple clothes on." (6)
Endnotes:
1 - Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
2 - Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
3 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
4 - Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4
5 - Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship
6 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
LDS History Chronology: Unconventional Baptisms
Mormon History Timeline: Forms of Rebaptism in LDS History
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
