Lorenzo Snow, Jul 12, 1892

-- Jul 12, 1892
[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] At 2 P.M. met with the Apostles in the upper room at he Historian's office. Present Lorenzo Snow, Moses Thatcher, Francis M Lyman, Jno Hy Smith, H.J. Grant, Jno W Taylor, M.W. Merrill, A.H. Lund, & A H Cannon. Bro Franklin D. Richards having gone to Alaska with his son Franklin who is quite sick. Bro. Cannon was selected as clerk or our meeting Prest Lorenzo Snow spoke to us and referred to the dangers of divisions among us on account of political differences. Referred to the recent speech of Bro. Thatcher at Ogden and the reply in the Ogden Standard. The article by Prests Jos F. Smith & Jno Hy Smith and Bro Thatcherr's reply to their article. Hoped these differences would not lead to divisions among the brethren. Brothers Smith & Thatcher each spoke expressing the very best of feeling for each other, notwithstanding their differences of opinions in political matters. (1)


-- Aug 1, 1892
[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] Aug 1 I spent the day in the Office. I met in the Morning with the board of the Salt Lake & Literary Association. I also had an interview with Lorenzo Snow abot [ ]. Attended Conference at Coleville. (2)


-- Aug 4, 1892
[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] At 2 P.M. we assembled again. Prests Wilfold Woodruff and Lorenzo Snow each made some remarks regarding the necessity of perfect union among the brethren of the Presidency and Apostles.

(1)


We took a recess till 2 P.M. The same brethren [i.e., Wilford Woodruff, George Q. Cannon, Joseph F. Smith, Lorenzo Snow, Moses Thatcher, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, Heber J. Grant, Marriner Wood Merrill, Anthon H. Lund, and Abraham H. Cannon] were present. I suggested that I felt bro[ther] Moses Thatcher should not talk his ideas that are at war with bounties and that brand the sugar factory under the bounty system as a robbery. This brought bro[ther] Moses to his feet and he waded into the whole subject of his career in connection with politics which brought out from Pres[iden]t Jos[eph] F. Smith and Pres[ident] Geo[rge] Q. Cannon much talk on that subject.

The policy of the Presidency was clearly defined and made to appear that bro[ther] Moses had been working against instead of in accordance with it. Pres[ident] Cannon said he felt the Twelve had not sustained the Presidency. On motion of Pres[ident] Snow it was decided that we endorsed the policy adopted by the Presidency and I announced it thus "so that in the future it cannot truthfully be said that we do not sustain the Presidency". This was passed by unanimous vote. Pres[ident] Woodruff instructed bro[ther] Moses not to talk his ideas any more that would work against the sugar factory.

He said he would not. The policy of the Presidency requires us not to take up political or other work without their knowledge and approval. After the meeting some remarks of bro[ther] Moses to me made me think he was not quite satisfied with the way things went in the council. (3)

Endnotes:
1 - Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
2 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
3 - Francis M. Lyman, Diary

LDS History Chronology: Lorenzo Snow

Mormon History Timeline: the life of Lorenzo Snow
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

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Lorenzo Snow, Apr 2, 1892

-- Apr 2, 1892
At a meeting of the Twelve Apostles they discuss whether or not to continue to cohabit with their plural wives. Heber J. Grant records that Apostle John Henry Smith said that "cohabitation was all right. The Lord had revealed to him that plural marriage was true and he did not want to throw off any of his responsibilities. He felt the brethren should take their wives out of Utah so that they would not be liable to the law in case they lived with them." Grant also writes, " [Quorum] Pres[iden]t Lorenzo Snow had nothing to day about the brethren living with their wives." (1)


-- Wednesday, Apr 6, 1892
[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] Salt Lake City

Conference at 10 a.m. Prests. George Q. Cannon & W. Woodruff spoke. The Conference moved from the building to the south of the Temple, where the services of placing the Capstone was attended to. Prayer by Joseph F. Smith. Music and Singing.

At 12:30 President W. Woodruff touched an electric button and the stone droped into place. I believe that sixty thousand people witnessed the ceremony.

Bro. Lorenzo Snow led the Hozana shout and the waving of handkerchiefs. It was indeed a grand sight. (2)


-- Apr 6, 1892 (Wednesday)
In the general conference of the Church, the Priesthood was arranged in the stands and the auditorium. Pres. Lorenzo Snow explained the order of ceremony at the laying of the capstone of the Temple and trained the congregation in shouting hosannah, after which remarks were made by Pres. Wilford Woodruff. The congregation then proceeded to the Temple in procession, when the capstone of the Temple was laid amid great enthusiasm and rejoicing, Pres. Woodruff pressing the electric button, which caused the stone to be lowered to its place. After the shouting of hosannah, the vast congregation, on motion of Apostle Francis M. Lyman, voted that the Temple should be finished by April 6, 1893. About forty thousand people were present and participated in the ceremonies. (3)


-- Apr 6, 1892
[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] April 6, 1892 This was the Most interesting day in some respects the Church has Ever Seen since its organization. The Temple Cap Stone was laid with imposing Ceremonies with Electricity by President Wilford Woodruff. It was Judged there was 50,000 on the Temple Grounds.

At 10 oclok The Big Tabernacle was Crouded to its utmost Capacity. The Meeting was Addressed By G Q Cannon & Lorenzo Snow. The Latter instructed the Congregation in the Ceremony of the shout of Hosannah which was repeated several times. The following is taken from the Salt Lake Herald.

President Woodruff made the following Address:

If there is any on the face of the Earth that will Attract the Attention of the God of Heaven and the Heavenly hosts it is the one before us to day the Assembling of the people, the shout of Hosannah, The laying of the Top Stone of the Temple of our God. + [The asterisk and ellipses (below) are Woodruff's.] We want to finish the Temple as soon as we Can so we Can Dedicate it to God so we Can go to work therein & Redeem the Dead…

At the Close of the Meeting in the Tabernacle we went out By Cuorums took our place upon the stands And the whole Temple Block was Covered with some 50,000 human being. After singing a Prayer the reporter says That Wilford Woodruff President seer & Revelator of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in all the world bearing well the four score and five years and thirty 7 days have passed over his head, then arose and raising both hands to heaven proclaimed with a loud voice Harken all ye House of Israel And All ye Nations of the Earth, we will now lay the top Stone of the Temple of our God The foundation of which was laid and Dedicated by the Prophet seer and Revelator Brigham Young. He then turned and Pressed the Electric spring And the top Stone of the Center of the East spire of the great Temple was Lowered into place & the work was Comple[te].

Hosanna

President Lorenzo Snow then arose and preaching to the front of the platform and waving a large silk hanker chief was Joined by the multitude in shouting Hosann[a], Hosanna, Hosanna To God and the Lamb Amen Amen and Amen. This repeated three times. This was performed by some 40,00 persons with the waving of the white Handkerchefs. This was the most impressive scene of the day. After some more music the great Congregation was dismissed.

It was the largest Assembly I Ever saw meet on any occasion of the Latter Day Saints. The likenesses of the vast Assembly And the Temple & the Cap stone with Moroni blowing the gospel Trump all published in Salt Lake Herald of April 7, 1892. This was Certainly the greatest Day the Latter Day Saints Ever saw in these Mountains.

Before the Close of the Meeting There was a Copper plate presented to the Assembly By President Cannon upon which was Engraved the History of the building of the Temple the laying of the Cornor Stone April 6, 1853 gave the Names of the Authorities of that Date Then all of the Authorities of the Church at April 6, 1892. Also under this plate was Placed & under the Cap Stone was placed the following: Book of Mormon Book of Doctrins & Covenants voice of warning Spencers Letters Key to Theology Hym Book Bible Compendium Pearl of Great Price & some other Books & Photographs of Joseph Smith Hyram Smith Brigham Young John Taylor Wilford Woodruff, George Q Cannon & Joseph F Smith and of the Salt Lake Temple as it now Stands. At the Close of the Meeting it took the people a long time to Clear the ground.

Before the Close F M Lyman steped to the front of the Platform And said six months ago President Woodruff Expressed in a Council of the Presidency of the Church And the presiding Authorities of the Church Stakes & wards that He desired to Live to See the Dedication of this Temple. It was the feelings in the Harts of the Brethren that an Effort should be made to Accomplish that work. Next April it will be 40 years from the time of the laying of the Cornor Stone of this Temple And I have a Resolution to offer to Assembled Israel to day. "Believing that the instruction of Presidt Woodruff respecting the Early Completion of the Temple is the word of the Lord unto us Resolved that this Assembly pledge themselves individually and Collectively to furnish as far as it may be Needed all Money that may be necessary to Complete the Temple at Earliest time possible so that the Dedication may take place April 6, 1893. This was acepted with an uplifting of hands with a great shout. Brother Lyman Donated $1,000. (4)

Endnotes:
1 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
2 - 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
3 - Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology
4 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies

LDS History Chronology: Lorenzo Snow

Mormon History Timeline: the life of Lorenzo Snow
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

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Lorenzo Snow, 1891

-- During 1891
(Lorenzo Snow) An 1838 patriarchal blessing pronounced by Joseph Smith, Sr., had promised, "Thou shalt have… power to rend the [veil] and see Jesus Christ …. The dead shall rise and come forth at thy bidding. … Thou shalt have long life … yet not be old; age shall not come upon thee." (1)


-- 1892
[Wife of Lorenzo Snow] Minnie Jensen was called to the General Board in 1892, and thrice was sent as a delegate to the National Council of Women. Pres. Snow died in 1901 and Sister Snow in January, 1908. (2)


-- Jan 1, 1892
[Apostle Abraham H. Cannon Journal] (at a stake conference at Brigham City) President Snow reported that on one occasion Joseph Smith was once asked who he was: "The Prophet smiled kindly upon his interlocutor and replied, "Noah came before the flood; I have come before the fire." (3)


-- Feb 9, 1892
[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill Diary] I received a telegram from President Woodruff to go to San Luis Stake in company with Lorenzo Snow and Abram H. Cannon to settle some difficulty. (4)


-- Feb 11, 1892
[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill Diary] Thursday. I left Richmond at 6:20 a. m. for Manassa, Colorado. Arrived in Salt Lake at 11 a. m. Went in company with President Snow to President Woodruff's office and got an understanding about our mission to Manassa. I left at 9:20 p. m., Bishop Preston furnishing teamster and team and took President Snow and myself to the D. & R. G. depot, the Church furnishing us transportation to and from Manassa, also sleeping berths. (4)


-- Apr 1, 1892
The Twelve Apostles meet and discuss whether or not the Manifesto forbids "unlawful cohabitation" with plural wives taken before the Manifesto. They decide that it shouldn't even though President Wilford Woodruff and Lorenzo Snow had testified under oath that it does. They vote to send a telegram to the U.S. President asking for amnesty for polygamists. (5)

Endnotes:
1 - Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
2 - Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia
3 - Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4
4 - Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
5 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com

LDS History Chronology: Lorenzo Snow

Mormon History Timeline: the life of Lorenzo Snow
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

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Lorenzo Snow, Jun 7, 1891

-- Jun 7, 1891
[Apostle Abraham H. Cannon Journal] I took the 7 a.m. train for Morgan City, and met at Ogden Bros. Lorenzo Snow and F[ranklin] D. Richards who went along. We were met at the station by R[onal]d Fry who took us to his house where we rested a few moments before going to meeting at 10 a.m. The forenoon services were occupied by L. Snow in a discourse as to our future rewards and blessings through our faithfulness, and then told the brethren how willing they should be to yield a little of what they might consider were their rights in order to maintain peace. To illustrate he related how he and some young men when in Kirtland [Ohio] were once taking home their sweethearts from a party, when they met a party of young men who boisterously shouted, "Turn out of the road, or we'll serve you like we did some others back there." Bro. Snow suggested that as these young fellows were probably drunk they had better turn out, and thus they did. As the noisy young fellows passed the inquiry was made as to how they had treated those who were back on the road, when they replied, "We turned out ourselves." This is the spirit in which difficulties should be settled. ... (1)


-- Oct 3, 1891
Apostle Heber J. Grant writes in his journal: "Lorenzo Snow Testified of the great work that the brethren would do and that they would live to see the Saviour come to the earth. Said the Son of God would visit the brethren and converse with them before in he came to the earth in Glory." (2)


-- Oct 19-20, 1891
First Presidency and Lorenzo Snow, Twelve's president, and Apostle Anthon H. Lund testify in court that Manifesto prohibits new plural marriages anywhere in world and prohibits cohabitation with wives married before the Manifesto and that the church will excommunicate violators. Although testimony is pulished in various editions of DESERET NEWS, all polygamous general authorities violate this by continuing to cohabit with their plural wives after 1891. In 1904 President Joseph F. Smith testifies under oath that he is in violation of both the "law of the land" as well as the "law of the church" in continuing to cohabit with plural wives. (2)


-- During 1891
(Lorenzo Snow) According to Brigham City's young Ella Jensen, "On Sunday the first of March, 1891, I was taken severely ill with the scarlet fever, and suffered very much for a week. … I then bade my dear ones good-bye, and my spirit left my body. … I heard Apostle Lorenzo Snow administer to me, telling me that I must come back, as I had some work to do on the earth yet. I was loath to leave the heavenly place, but told my friends that I must leave them. … But for a long time afterwards I had a great desire to go back to the place of heavenly rest, where I dwelt so short a time." (3)

Endnotes:
1 - Diary of Apostle Abraham H. Cannon, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4
2 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
3 - Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies

LDS History Chronology: Lorenzo Snow

Mormon History Timeline: the life of Lorenzo Snow
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

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Lorenzo Snow, Jan 29, 1891

-- Jan 29, 1891
[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] [At meeting of the Apostles] President Lorenzo Snow. Said he was astonished to hear that Brother Joseph had ever imagined that he lacked confidence in him. When in the Saint George Temple the Lord had showed to him that Prest. Taylor should soon pass away and that Prest. Woodruff would be selected as the President of the Church and that Bro. Cannon would be his First and Brother Smith his second Counselor. Had the most perfect confidence in brother Joseph and always had had. ...

(1)


-- Feb 17, 1891
Apostle Lorenzo Snow, President of the Quorum of Apostles, confers with the First Presidency concerning his legal difficulties "in regard to his cases before the 3rd Dist. Court, one for adultery & 1 for U. C. [unlawful cohabitation] It has been arranged if he will plead guilty to U. C., the other case will be dismissed. This was thought the best case for him to pursue, & he left with that intuition. When his case was called this afternoon, he plead guilty to U. C. & the other case was dismissed to be sentenced on Saturday next." (2)


-- Feb 18, 1891
[George Q. Cannon] Brothers Willard and Richard W. Young called and submitted a draft of a deed for the proposed university. We approved of it. There was some discussion concerning the name. They both favored calling the university "Young University". President [Wilford] Woodruff, Brother [Francis M.] Lyman and myself thought that would be a very good name. Brothers Lorenzo Snow and Jos[eph]. F. Smith did not seem to favor that name. They thought "Brigham Young University" would be better. Brother [Heber J.] Grant did not express himself fully, though I rather think he favored the latter. The two points in my mind which made me favor calling it the "Young University" are that the heirs seem to desire that name, and the name "Brigham Young" is applied already to the college at Logan [Utah] and the academy at Provo [Utah], and the tendency would be instead of calling it "Brigham Young University," to call it the B.Y. University. (3)


-- Wednesday, Apr 1, 1891
[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] Salt Lake City

The following named brethren met in Council: Lorenzo Snow, F. D. Richards, F. M. Lyman, H. J. Grant, J. w. Taylor, M. W. Merrill, A.

H. Lund, Abraham H. Cannon, and myself. The time was spent in reading some notes made by Bro. F. D. Richards on the early history of the Twelve.

After meeting the Presidency was with us and I asked the brethren what they thought of my being elected a Director and President of the Ogden Standard Co. and becoming active in Politics. The matter was delayed until the morrow. (4)

Endnotes:
1 - Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
2 - Advent Adam website (defunct) - based on http://amzn.to/originsofpower
3 - George Q. Cannon, Diary
4 - 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

LDS History Chronology: Lorenzo Snow

Mormon History Timeline: the life of Lorenzo Snow
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

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Lorenzo Snow, Nov 29, 1890

-- Nov 29, 1890
[Franklin D. Richards] Cha[r]ley C. [Richards] & his two boys Comstock & Fesse went with me to Brigham [City, Utah], he about business of the Branch Bank, I to present my commencement of a Record of the Twelve Apostles in Mss. to President Lorenzo Snow. On hearing it read he expressed his approval in terms of admiration-to my great satisfaction. and wished me to proceed with the work as opportunity shall permit. (1)


-- Jan 28, 1891
[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] [Though he is not exicted about it, Lorenzo Snow pledges his support of sugar, after which] Moses Thatcher believed that brother Snow had been inspired of the Lord to bring this matter up. Said he had felt that there was a bar between him and the President, Did not know that he would be able to control his feelings When the brethren are in trouble had always felt to come to their aid. He had entered the Bullion Beck and Champion Mine because ho felt that Pres[iden]t Taylor wished him to aid him and not because he desired to take an interest in that property. He referred to his connection with the BB&C Mining Co Referred to his lack of confidence in Badlam, Trumbo and others and felt that developments would prove the correctness of his position. ... He was willing to be judged by Pres[iden]t Woodruff or his Brethren. All that he had done had been what he considered right but he might have been wrong. He would sooner be in the current with his brethren and lose all that he had than not to be one with his brethren and retain his possessions. He felt that what brother Snow had said was right and that union was the most important thing with us as a Presidency and Apostles. GQC There have been occurrences since the death of Pres[iden]t Young that I have not had the love of my brethren and it has been very painful. After the death of Pres[iden]t Taylor I desired a mission but I was called to the Presidency ... I have no feeling against my brethren. Have been hurt by some of the things I have had to endure. I was hurt that I should be refused representation on the Board of Directors in the Bullion Beck and Champion Co. as I was one of the main shareholders. [Several times he had to stop to control his feelings.] .... (many of the brethren express feeling of former ill will over business connections) ... (2)


First Presidency and Twelve meet to discuss the sugar business. However Lorenzo Snow "said he felt there were some feelings among the brethren and wanted them settled first, so at it we went. Bros. G.[eorge] Q. Cannon and [Moses] Thatcher poured out what was in them and agreed to forgive each other." (3)

Endnotes:
1 - Franklin D. Richards, Diary
2 - Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
3 - Advent Adam website (defunct) - based on http://amzn.to/originsofpower

LDS History Chronology: Lorenzo Snow

Mormon History Timeline: the life of Lorenzo Snow
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

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Lorenzo Snow, Oct 6, 1890

-- Oct 6, 1890
[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill Diary] Monday. Conference convened at 10 a. m. Singing. Prayer by President A. O. Smoot. Singing, after which President George Q. Cannon presented the Authorities of the Church, who were unanimously sustained. Bishop Orson F. Whitney then read the Articles of Faith, when they were adopted by the Conference by vote. Then President Woodruff's late Manifesto regarding the cessation of plural marriages in the Church was read, and on motion of Apostle Lorenzo Snow President Woodruff was declared by the Conference as the only man in the Church holding the keys of the sealing power; hence has the right to issue or put forth such Manifesto to the people, and it was carried by a weak vote, but seemingly unanimous; after which President George Q. Cannon spoke on the plural relations for 30 minutes. Then President Woodruff spoke on the necessity of his issuing such Manifesto and said it was the impression of the Spirit of the Lord to him. Conference adjourned until 2 p. m. ... (1)


-- 1890, October 6
"Manifesto" accepted in General Conference. (2)


-- Oct 6, 1890
The Presidency in the office.

Before the morning s meeting the Presidency prepared the motion endorsing the President s Manifesto, for presentation to the Conference.

[An account of the presentation of the Manifesto follows.]

The vote to sustain the foregoing was unanimous.

Between the meetings the Presidency met with Elders A[lexander]. F. McDonald, Elders F[ranklin]. D. Richards, F[rancis]. M. Lyman and G[eorge]. Reynolds being also present, at which it was decided to stop, for the time being, the performance of plural marriages in Mexico.

It is indeed wonderful how the people are so unanimous on this great question of suspending the institution of plural or Patriarchal marriage.

It is a melting testimony to Pres[iden]t W[ilford]. W[oodruff]. of the implicit confidence the people have in him & his administration. The Holy spirit bears indubitable testimony.

There was a large attendance this morning at the Tabernacle, the Saints having been invited to come, as there might be important business presented.

The General Authorities were present and sustained.

We then called upon Bishop O[rson]. F. Whitney to read the Articles of Faith to the congregation.

Brother F[ranklin]. D. Richards moved that they be accepted by us as our Articles of Faith, which motion was carried unanimously.

Then Brother Whitney read the Manifesto, and Brother Lorenzo Snow presented the following motion, which had been prepared before hand for him. "I move that, recognizing Wilford Woodruff as the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the only man on the earth at the present time, who holds the keys of the sealing ordinances, we consider him fully authorized by virtue of the position to issue the manifesto which has been read in our hearing and which is dated September 24, 1890, and that as a Church in general Conference assembled, we accept his declaration concerning plural marriages as authoritative and binding."

This motion was also unanimously carried.

After this President Woodruff desired me to speak. He had spoken of this two or three times, and I had suggested that he should speak, but he did not seem to have the spirit of talking, and I felt to shrink very much from it. It was, in our minds, and exceedingly delicate subject, and I think I never was called upon to do a thing that seemed more difficult than this. There was nothing in my mind that seemed clear to me to say upon this subject, and I arose with my minds a blank. I felt that whatever was said must be dictated by the Spirit of the Lord. I did get great freedom and spoke with ease, and all fear was taken away, and I think that everyone felt free after the subject was fairly entered upon, and President Woodruff followed with great freedom. He told me afterwards that a great weight had been lifted from him by the acceptance by the conference of his manifesto. I had not entertained any doubts about this, but I felt timid concerning the remarks that would be made. This whole subject has been one about which we have all been greatly exercised. I am not able to tell my thoughts concerning our action. I know, however, that it is right. It is clear to me that this step taken by President Woodruff is a correct one. I have bee such an advocate of the doctrine, and have had to defend it so much, that I had hoped that we would be able to maintain it, despite the opposition of the whole nation to it. But I have a testimony from the Lord that our sacrifices in regard to this and our firmness up to the present time in resisting every attempt to extort from us the promise to stop the practice are accepted of the Lord, and He virtually says to us, "It is enough," and we leave the case in His hands.

We have had meetings respecting the best way to deal with this, and there has been quite a variety of views among the Twelve concerning the manner in which it should be treated. At our meeting last Thursday the question was up, and I said to President Woodruff when he pressed me for my views, that I had listened to all the brethren had said, and there were many things which they had presented that I could approve of, but my mind was not clear as to the best method for us to adopt in relation to it. Some were in favor of reading the Manifesto to the Conference; others were not, and there seemed to be quite a variety of views. We held a meeting on Saturday afternoon, after the afternoon meeting, and we seemed to be more united then. At my suggestion, the whole matter was left with President Woodruff, for him to decide what should be done. Today s proceedings are the result of his decision, after counseling with his Counselors upon the subject.

The Spirit of the Lord was powerfully poured out, and I think every faithful Latter-day Saint must have had a testimony from the Lord that He was in the movement, and that it was done with His approval.

Then Pres[iden]t. [Wilford] Woodruff late Manifesto regardeing the Ceaceation [cessation] of Plural Mariages in the Church was read and on Motion of Apostle Lorenzo Snow Prest. Woodruff was declared by the Conference as the Onely Man in the Church Hodleing the Keys of the Sealing Power hence has the right to Issue or put fourth Such Manifesto to the people and it was carried by a Weak Vote, but seemeingly unanimous. (3)

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 - Ludlow, Daniel H. editor, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Macmillan Publishing, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol. 4, Appendix 2: A Chronology of Church History, http://amzn.to/eG0DIp
3 - First Presidency Office Journal; Franklin D. Richards, Diary; George Q. Cannon, Diary; Marriner Wood Merrill, Diary

LDS History Chronology: Lorenzo Snow

Mormon History Timeline: the life of Lorenzo Snow
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

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Lorenzo Snow, Tuesday, Sep 30, 1890

-- Tuesday, Sep 30, 1890
[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] Salt Lake City

During the morning hour I was busy about the City.

At 2 p.m. the following named brethren of the Twelve met in Council. Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Moses Thatcher, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, Heber J. Grant, John W. Taylor and Abraham H. Cannon, Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Moses Thatcher, and Francis M. Lyman spoke upon the President's Manifesto in regard to the solemnization of Plural marriages and endorsed it. John W. Taylor was somewhat mixed but acknowledged the hand of the Lord in it. (1)


-- Wednesday, Oct 1, 1890
[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] Salt Lake City

At 10 a.m. Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Moses Thatcher, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, Heber J. Grant, John W. Taylor, Abraham H. Cannon and Anton H. Lund [met]. I spoke upon the manifesto, was not fully clear upon it. Heber J. Grant, Anton H. Lund, and Abraham H. Cannon spoke in regard to the Manifesto and endorsed it. During the day all of the brethren expressed their views upon various subjects. ... (1)


-- Oct 1, 1890
An apostle asks "how the Son of God was begotten," and Lorenzo Snow tells apostles, "that he was begotten just the same as you and I were or as our sons are." (2)


-- Oct 6, 1890
[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] [After Articles of Faith read] Bishop Orson F. Whitney then read the Manifesto of Prest. Woodruff. Prest. Lorenzo Snow then read a motion that we approve of the action of Prest. Woodruff in issuing the Manifesto. Some did not hear the motion and it was read a second time by brother Whitney and the presented by Pres[iden]t Cannon and unanimously sustained by the people ... Pres[iden]t Woodruff among other things said that no man at the head of the Church would ever be permitted to lead the people astray. He said that were he to attempt any such thing the Lord would remove him out of his place ... The meeting this morning is one of the most important that has ever happened in the Church and there were many wet eyes in the congregation when the vote was called to sustain the action of Pres[iden]t Woodruff in his issuing the Manifesto. There were some of the people that did not vote. There were not many as I noticed that the votes was as large if not large than that which had been given to the authorities when they were sustained. (3)

Endnotes:
1 - 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
2 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
3 - Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies

LDS History Chronology: Lorenzo Snow

Mormon History Timeline: the life of Lorenzo Snow
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

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Lorenzo Snow, May 30, 1890

-- May 30, 1890
[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] [Meeting continued] Lorenzo Snow referred to the incident about brother Merrill's father and mother and his feelings that they were not worthy to be sealed. He said that he felt as we progressed that we would grow in charity. He referred to the father of Erastus Snow not embracing the gospel although he had heard it preached. William Snow his son asked the prophet Joseph if it would be right for him to be baptized for his father and Joseph said "Why certainly it is perfectly right, he was a good man and you should not neglect to attend to the matter for him." We have come to do a work for those who have not been pleased in this world as we have been. We are to do a labor the same as Jesus. The nearer we can get to understand how the Lord feels the better we will be able to do our duties ... We are entitled to the blessings of heaven. We have special gifts. Brother Moses here is naturally a Prophet. We should not take credit to ourselves for the gifts that God has given us. (1)


-- Sep 24, 1890
Manifesto is issued as a press release

Wilford Woodruff met with councilor Joseph F. Smith and three members of the Council of the Twelve, presenting papers containing what Woodruff felt were the solution to the churchs current problems. Wilford Woodruff drew upon the previously discarded documents concerning polygamy, both generated within the outside the church, and delivered a 510 word document. George Reynolds, Charles Penrose and John Winder were instructed to take the document and arrange it for publication, to be submitted to us after they had prepared it. When it was read later that day, President Cannon suggested several emendations, which were adopted. Only three apostles were present Franklin D. Richards, Moses Thatcher, and Marriner W. Merrill. After a few small additional changes, George Reynolds sent the telegram for publishing in the eastern national newspapers. ... (2)


-- Sep 25, 1890
At 2 p.m. met with 3 1st Pres[iden]ts. & Pres[iden]t. L[orenzo]. Snow for prayer at Gardo House some had not their clothing and the Pres[iden]t. W[ilford]. W[oodruff]. prayed. deliberated about the Manifesto as L[orenzo]. S[now]. was not present then. also about employing Andrew Jensen but not decided.

Upon examining the papers this morning we found there was a very meager account of President [Wilford] Woodruff s manifesto. We sent for Brother W. B. Dougall and got him to prepare a dispatch to the Associated Press agent at Chicago [Illinois], asking him to publish it in full, and whatever charges there were would be met. He telegraphed to Brother Dougall to know whether President Woodruff meant to accuse them of telegraphing the Commissioners Report for political purposes. I framed a dispatch, disclaiming any such intention, but attributing it to some agent in this city, who desired to promote the schemes of a local clique here.

Brother [Hiram B.] Clawson was requested to translate the manifesto into cipher and send it to Colonel [Isaac] Trumbo for publication in California.

Brother Lorenzo Snow failed to come down yesterday, but reached here today, and the manifesto was submitted to him. He read it carefully and approved of it, and also thought it a judicious move to have it issued at the present time.

A copy of the manifesto was also sent to Brother John T. Caine, and he was requested to have it published as widely as possible. (3)

Endnotes:
1 - Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
2 - Tungate, Mel, Mormon Polygamy, http://www.tungate.com/polygamy.htm
3 - Franklin D. Richards, Diary; George Q. Cannon, Diary

LDS History Chronology: Lorenzo Snow

Mormon History Timeline: the life of Lorenzo Snow
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

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Lorenzo Snow, Wednesday, Apr 9, 1890

-- Wednesday, Apr 9, 1890
[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] Salt Lake City

The Council of the Twelve apostles met yesterday as a separate Quorum from the first Presidency for the first time in many years. There were present Lorenzo Snow, F. D. Richards, Moses Thatcher, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, Heber J. Grant, John W. Taylor, Marriner W. Merrill, Anton H. Lund, Abraham H. Cannon and John W. Young. We were together about 10 hours. We all spoke in turn confessing our sins and expressing our determination to live nearer the Lord in the future. We administered the Sacrament after the early order, eating our fill of bread and drinking the wine. (1)


-- Apr 10, 1890
[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] April 10 1890 I signed 11 Recommends. I received 10 Letters. Had an interview with F A Hammond also Lorenzo Snow & Bishop Preston. (2)


-- May 4, 1890
[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill Diary] Sunday. I came to Logan on the early train and attended the Cache Stake Quarterly Conference, President Woodruff and Apostle Lorenzo Snow also being present. Apostle Snow occupied all the time in the forenoon, speaking 1 ½ hours. In the afternoon President Woodruff spoke 1 hour and I spoke one-half hour, when Conference adjourned until next day. (3)


-- May 6, 1890
[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill Diary] President Woodruff after breakfast took the 6:20 train for Salt Lake. I accompanied him to the depot with the Temple team. President Lorenzo Snow met us there and went home to Brigham City. (3)


-- 12 May 1890
[Wife of Lorenzo Snow] Death of wife Harriet Amelia Squires (4)


-- May 29, 1890
[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] [Apostles meeting called by Lorenzo Snow to achieve perfect unity.] Moses Thatcher felt that it was a good thing to be here. He felt that the Lord was with us. I have been filled with solemn thoughts since Pres[iden]t Snow was moved upon to call us together. The hope of our becoming one has given me more joy than anything I can think of. If we can become as one it will be a glorious thing. The First Presidency are one and if we can become one and then become one with the First Presidency it will be the beginning of the establishment of the Kingdom of God, preparatory for the coming of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ ... I do not believe that there are any of us who seek occasion against each other. I pray God to bless us while we are together. (5)

Endnotes:
1 - 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
2 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
3 - Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
4 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorenzo_Snow#Wives_and_children
5 - Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies

LDS History Chronology: Lorenzo Snow

Mormon History Timeline: the life of Lorenzo Snow
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

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Lorenzo Snow, Apr 8, 1890

-- Apr 8, 1890
[Apostle Abraham H. Cannon Journal] At 7 p.m. I met in the Historian's office, where Pres. Lorenzo Snow had requested our quorum to meet. There were present L. Snow, F[rankling] D. Richards, M[oses] Thatcher, F[rancis] M. Lyman, J[ohn] H[enry] Smith, H[eber] J. Grant, J[ohn] W. Taylor, M[arriner] W. Merrill, A[nthon] H. Lund, myself and J[ohn] W. Young. Bro. Snow stated that he desired the quorum to meet together occasionally to talk over different matters and to unite our hearts and feelings together. Where ill feelings existed we should express them and have our differences amicably arranged. The brethren all felt that the union which should prevail in our quorum did not exist, and were glad that Pres. Snow had been moved upon to call such meetings as were suggested. It was thought best for us to fast and meet tomorrow, and spend the day in expressing ourselves fully and freely. At this John W. Taylor arose and said he could not meet as he had hard feelings against Father, because the latter had expressed his disapproval of the settlement that was made with John Beck in the Champion mine affairs, and John W. felt that Father had accused him of misappropriating funds and he would not rest easy under the imputation. Bro. Thatcher felt that John W. should visit and talk with the offender privately in this matter, and seek reconciliation between themselves. In this view all agreed and John promised to see if this matter could not be settled in the morning before 10 am. to which time we adjourned. (1)


[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] At seven attended meeting of the Quorum of the Apostles in an upper room in the Historian's office. Prest. Lorenzo Snow referred to the fact that there had not been a meeting of the Apostles since the death of Prest. Taylor in a quorum capacity, only during the time that they were acting in the capacity of the Presidency. He wanted us to hold a meeting that should last all day and if necessary two days where we should come together fasting and praying for the blessings of the Lord to attend us. (2)


-- Apr 9, 1890
[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] Prest. Lorenzo Snow spoke to us for an hour and a quarter. His remarks were very interesting indeed. He said that he did not care how much more of this world's goods his brethren had than he did, but wanted to see them use their means for the building up of the church on the earth. He referred to the abilities that Orson F. Whitney had been blessed with, Said that he thought his talents were worth more than the wealth of the world. It was not reasonable to expect the Lord to bestow every talent on us. We should try and be contented and satisifed [sic] with those things which were given us. I do not envy any of my brethren, he said, that have been blessed with greater talents than I have. He said we should all prepare to stand reverses when they come along. The Lord would teach us one and all the lesson of humility. He had done so with the prophets of old. He had done so with brother Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and Jno. Taylor. He referred to an incident in the life of the Prophet Joseph where Brigham had Joseph's brother William on trial for his misdeeds. Joseph took his brother's part although he was in the wrong and Brigham submitted to it. Had Brigham Young refused to submit, although he was in the right, to the prophet he, Brigham, would never have been the President of the Church. He said most of the plans of Prests. Smith, Young and Taylor had not been successful and we must not think the Lord would cause us to succeed in all that we undertook. (2)

Endnotes:
1 - Diary of Apostle Abraham H. Cannon, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4
2 - Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies

LDS History Chronology: Lorenzo Snow

Mormon History Timeline: the life of Lorenzo Snow
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

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Lorenzo Snow, Feb 10, 1890

-- Feb 10, 1890
Telegraph from Geo[rge]. Q. Cannon: "Do not see that my presence will help settle the difference. Therefore unless you decide otherwise will not return. Please telegraph [Alexander]

Badlam your decision. Geo[rge]. Q. Cannon."

John T. Caine reports Washington [D.C.] conditions.

Wilford Woodruff telegram to Geo[rge]. Q. Cannon: "If you think your presence not need will not ugre you to come. Please notify Maude as we know neither address nor cipher."

Between 5 & 6 the following met with the Presidency: Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, John W. Taylor, F[rancis]. Armstrong, B[righam] Y[oung] Hampton, when talk of the policy to observe should the liberals carry the election. Shall we contest or concede it? Later Elders Lorenzo Snow, John W. Young, Abra[ha]m H. Cannon, Heber J. Grant & Franklin S. Richards came in. The decision was that if the majority was small say 600, the fraud should be denounced vigorously, but if the majority was very large, not fight the result beyond making a showing of the frauds perpetrated.

The official count showed that all the Liberal ticket was elected. Geo[rge] M. Scott, mayor, obtaining the greatest majority 808. ...

The question of getting an anti-polygamy resolution adopted by the Legislature of the same kind as that adopted by the last legislature, was considered and the decision was that if the members of that body wished to adopt such a resolution there would be no objection.

Meditating & conversing upon the chances & improbabilities of the People s Party winning Election since Gov[ernmen]t, Gov[ernor s]. Commission, Judges of Courts, Registrars, Judges of Election 2/3 of the have struck of indefinitely all they pleased from the lists & added as many as they please fraudulently at home & all along the line of R. G. Wester & can therefore do as they will in the matter ... Reported freely that Liberals have it by figures vary from 400 to 800 majority. (1)


-- Apr 7, 1890
10 am meeting 13th Ward-Wilford Woodruff, Geo[rge]. Q. Cannon, Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Moses Thatcher, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, Heber J. Grant, John W. Taylor, M[arriner] W[ood]. Merrill, A[nthon] H. Lund, Abra[ha]m H. Cannon, John W. Young, Patriarch John Smith, seven presidents of the Seventy, presiding bishop s office, Maeser & representatives from 27 stakes. by permission Elder A[rthur]. Stayner presented the sugar interests; sing; pray; speakers: Wilford Woodruff & Geo[rge]. Q. Cannon, Franklin D. Richards, Moses Thatcher, A[rthur] Stayner-sugar industry, order of children, diversified industries, tithing. 2 pm First Presidency with Jacob Gates, S[amuel] B Young, J[ohn] Morgan, B. H. Roberts, George Reynolds on the matter of the remuneration of the first seven presidents for the time they were actively engaged in the duties ... almost if not all their time. (2)

Endnotes:
1 - First Presidency Office Journal; Franklin D. Richards, Diary
2 - First Presidency Office Journal

LDS History Chronology: Lorenzo Snow

Mormon History Timeline: the life of Lorenzo Snow
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

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Lorenzo Snow, Dec 3, 1889

-- Dec 3, 1889
[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 3d I signed 31 Recommends. I received 15 Letters. I met with the board of Education at 10 oclok. I met with Isaac Trumbo and had an interesting interview with him. I had a Conversation with Lorenzo Snow upon various things. A Circular was red to be sent to all the Churches Asking for a fasts & prayer Meeting at the birth day of the Prophet Joseph on the 23 of Dec. I wrote 3 Letters. (1)


-- Dec 12, 1889
Official declaration of Church on "Blood Atonement" Capital Punishment, Civil Liberty, Loyalty to the Government of the United States-- Again the diary of L. John Nuttall throws some interesting sidelights on the issuance of this Declaration.

According to Nuttall the First Presidency on December 4, 1889 requested Charles W. Penrose to "make a draft of a denial to the false accusations made by Judge Anderson in his decision in the John Moore case."

On December 5th, Charles W. Penrose called at the office of the First Presidency and "submitted two drafts of denials of the assertions made by Judge Anderson in his decision, which were read and left for further consideration."

On December 6, 1889 the First Presidency, The Quorum of Apostles, Presiding Bishops Preston and Winder and members of the Central Committee of the People's Party met at the Gardo House to consider a course of action in rebuttal to Judge Anderson's decision in the John Moore case.

"Several of the brethren were in favor of the First Presidency and Twelve. [Issuing the denial] Some thought the First Presidency alone-others the 1st President, Twelve and about 100 of the leading businessmen-Some thought a mass meeting to adopt suitable resolutions would be the best [procedure]. But all were in favor of something, a strong denial of the falsehoods should be made. ... After hearing those who wished to speak, an adjournment was taken, and the Presidency and the Twelve considered the matter when it was decided as the mind of the Council that the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles get up a manifesto on this subject, such a one as all can sign."

The Declaration or "Manifesto" was dated December 12, 1889 and on December 14, 1889 "It was ordered that the Manifesto of the First Presidency, and Twelve be published in this Evenings Deseret News & tomorrow mornings Salt Lake Herald, and telegrams were sent to Elders L. Snow, F. D. Richards & A. H. Lund for permission to affix their names to it which they granted."

On December 16, 1889, according to Nuttall:

"Pres. Woodruff directed that the names of Bros. M. Thatcher, John W. Taylor, and D. H. Wells be affixed to the Manifesto of the Presidency & Twelve, these brethren being absent from the city."

The declaration brands as false any claims that the L.D.S. Church believed in or practiced "blood atonement."

OFFICIAL DECLARATION. Salt Lake City, December 12th, 1889. TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

In consequences of gross misrepresentations of the doctrines, aims and practices of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly called the "Mormon" Church, which have been promulgated for years, and have recently been revived for political purposes and to prevent all aliens, otherwise qualified, who are members of the "Mormon" Church for acquiring citizenship, we deem it proper on behalf of said Church to publicly deny these calumnies and enter our protest against them.

We solemnly make the following declarations, viz:

That this Church views the shedding of human blood with the utmost abhorrence. That we regard the killing of a human being, except in conformity with the civil law, as a capital crime which should be punished by shedding the blood of the criminal, after a public trial before a legally constituted court of the land.

Notwithstanding all the stories told about the killing of apostates, no case of this kind has ever occurred, and of course has never been established against the Church we represent. Hundreds of seceders from the church have continuously resided and now live in this Territory, many of whom have amassed considerable wealth, though bitterly hostile to the "Mormon" faith and people. Even those who have made it their business to fabricate the vilest falsehoods, and to render them plausible by culling isolated passages from old sermons without the explanatory context, and have suffered no opportunity to escape them of vilifying and blackening the characters of the people, have remained among those whom they have thus persistently calumniated until the present day, without receiving the slightest personal injury.

We denounce as entirely untrue the allegation which has been made, that our Church favors or believes in the killing of persons who leave the Church or apostatize from its doctrines. We would view a punishment of this character for such an act with the utmost horror, it is abhorrent to us and is in direct opposition to the fundamental principles of our creed.

The revelations of God to this Church make death the penalty for capital crime, and require that offenders against life and property shall be delivered up to and tried by the laws of the land.

We declare that no Bishop's or other court in this Church claims or exercises the right to supersede, annul or modify a judgment of any civil court. Such courts, while established to regulate Christian conduct, are purely ecclesiastical, and their punitive powers go no further than the suspension or excommunication of members from Church fellowship.

That this Church, while offering advice for the welfare of its members in all conditions of life, does not claim or exercise the right to interfere with citizens in the free exercise of social or political rights and privileges. The ballot in this Territory is absolutely untrammeled and secret. No man's business or other secular affairs are invaded by the Church or any of its officers. Free agency and direct individual accountability to God are among the essentials of our Church doctrine. All things in the Church must be done by common consent, and no officer is appointed without the vote of the body.

We declare that there is nothing in the ceremony of the Endowment, or in any doctrine, tenet, obligation or injunction of this Church, either private or public, which is hostile or intended to be hostile to the Government of the United States. On the contrary, its members are under divine commandment to revere the Constitution as a heaven-inspired instrument.

Utterances of prominent men in the Church at a time of great excitement have been selected and grouped, to convey the impression that present members are seditious. Those expressions were made more than thirty years ago, when through the falsehoods of recreant officials, afterwards demonstrated to be baseless, troops were sent to this Territory and were viewed by the people, in their isolated condition, fifteen hundred miles from railroads, as an armed mob coming to renew the bloody persecutions of years before.

At that time excitement prevailed and strong language was used; but no words of disloyalty against the Government or itsinstitutions were uttered; public speakers confined their remarks to denouncing traitorous officials who were prostituting the powers of their positions to accomplish nefarious ends. Criticism of the acts of United States officials was not considered then, neither is it now, as treason against the nation nor as hostility to the Government. In this connection we may say that the members of our Church have never offered or intended to offer, any insult to the flag of our country; but have always honored it as the ensign of laws and liberty.

We also declare that this Church does not claim to be an independent, temporal kingdom of God, or to be an imperium in imperio aiming to overthrow the United States or any other civil government. It has been organized by divine revelation preparatory to the second advent of the Redeemer. It proclaims that "the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Its members are commanded of God to be subject unto the powers that be until Christ comes, whose right it is to reign.

Church government and civil government are distinct and separate in our theory and practice, and we regard it as part of our destiny to aid in the maintenance and perpetuity of the institutions of our country.

We claim no religious liberty that we are unwilling to accord to others.

We ask for no civil or political rights which are not granted and guaranteed to citizens in general.

We desire to be in harmony with the Government and people of the United States as an integral part of the nation.

We regard all attempts to exclude aliens from naturalization, and citizens from the exercise of the elective franchise, solely because they are members of the "Mormon" Church, as impolitic, unrepublican, and dangerous encroachments upon civil and religious liberty.

Notwithstanding the wrongs we consider we have suffered through the improper execution of national laws, we regard those wrongs as the acts of men and not of the Government; and we intend, by the help of Omnipotence, to remain firm in our fealty and steadfast in the maintenance of constitutional principles and the integrity of this Republic.

We earnestly appeal to the American press and people not to condemn the Latter-day Saints unheard. Must we always be judged by the misrepresentations of our enemies, and never be accorded a fair opportunity of representing ourselves?

In the name of justice, reason and humanity, we ask for a suspension of national and popular judgment until a full investigation can be had and all the facts connected with what is called the "Mormon" question can be known. And we appeal to the Eternal Judge of all men and nations to aid us in the vindication of our righteous cause. WILFORD WOODRUFF, GEORGE Q. CANNON, JOSEPH F. SMITH, Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. LORENZO SNOW, FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS, BRIGHAM YOUNG, MOSES THATCHER, FRANCIS M. LYMAN, JOHN HENRY SMITH, GEORGE TEASDALE, HEBER J. GRANT, JOHN W. TAYLOR, M. W. MERRILL, A. H. LUND, ABRAHAM H. CANNON, Members of the Council of the Apostles.

JOHN W. YOUNG DANIEL H. WELLS, Counselors. {This Official Declaration was a direct outgrowth of the testimony and accusations made in the John Moore and other alien cases before Judge Anderson, November 14th through 30th and of Judge Anderson's decision and ruling in those cases. The Revelation to Wilford Woodruff on November 24, 1889, the declarations in the call for a special Fast Day issued December 2, 1889 but to be held on the anniversary of Joseph Smith's birth (December 23) and then this Official Declaration of December 12, 1889 are all an integral past of the same decision on the part of L.D.S. Church leadership. The three documents should in reality be read and considered together.} (2)

Endnotes:
1 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
2 - Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)

LDS History Chronology: Lorenzo Snow

Mormon History Timeline: the life of Lorenzo Snow
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

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Lorenzo Snow, Nov 24, 1889

-- Nov 24, 1889
...On October 21, 1889 the First Presidency, consisting of Wilford Woodruff with George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith as counselors, left for a three to four week trip to Alberta, Canada. President Lorenzo Snow, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was in Brigham City, Utah. L. John Nuttall, Secretary to the First Presidency, was instructed to get in touch with President Snow if any emergency arose.

When the Moore case arose on November 9th and Mr. Lipman was given authority to subpoena witnesses including several of the General Authorities of the L.D.S. Church, L. John Nuttall sent telegrams to the First Presidency via Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, B.C.. asking for their return and also to President Lorenzo Snow in Brigham City asking him to come to Salt Lake City.

On November 12th President Snow called a meeting of a small group of L.D.S. Church officials with the Church attorneys. According to Nuttall's minutes of the meeting J. H. Moyle, one of the Church attorneys, discussed the Moore case after which the group decided on the first course of action, namely:

"It was deemed proper for some of our brethren to be present in Court on Thursday whether they are subpoenaed by our enemies or not, and give testimony that no such oath is required of any Latter-day Saints against the Government of the United States in the Endowment House or elsewhere. That this is an opportune time for the Church to declare itself against these foul untruths so often repeated."

On November 13, 1889 President Snow called a meeting of a larger group of L.D.S. leaders and the problem was again presented to them. Word was also received that the First Presidency were on their way home from Canada at the request of President Snow and L. John Nuttall.

On the first day of the hearings in court (November 14th) Nuttall says that "a number of apostates had been subpoenaed and they were given every opportunity to say all they desired in regard to the Endowments, etc." Nuttall also records that: "Bro. Moyle also testified as one of their witnesses but refused to give the Endowment House ceremony. Judge Anderson allowed all kinds of evidence to be admitted, notwithstanding the objections of our attorneys. I wrote out a telegram in cipher & sent to Pres. Woodruff at Portland (Oregon) informing him of what is now going on."

President Lorenzo Snow called another meeting of the L.D.S. and the Peoples Party leadership for the evening of November 14th. Nuttall records that at this meeting the day in court was reviewed and then President Snow said:

"I shall be very much disappointed if after this investigation we don't come out all brighter for it, and make a good record for the Church. As witnesses in that Court we have a right to the spirit of the Lord. This is His work and He will stand by us in doing our best to maintain it."

President Snow gave permission for M. W. Merrill, Anthon H. Lund and Moses Thatcher, all of whom were thoroughly familiar with the Endowment ceremonies, to "go onto the Stand and testify that there were no such oaths, obligations or covenants required in the Endowments, but if they should be asked what did transpire there they could refuse to answer." He ruled that all of the brethren when on the witness stand should refuse to answer any questions that would give any of the Endowments or instructions received in the Endowment House. This ruling of President Lorenzo Snow was in keeping with a previous stand taken by the Church in the John H. Miles case in 1879 where Daniel H. Wells, counsellor to the quorum of twelve apostles, had similarly refused a court order to reveal the details of the Endowment ceremonies and had been held in contempt of court and been fined and imprisoned. See CHC 5:544-546.

President Wilford Woodruff arrived back in Salt Lake City on November 16, 1889 but "concluded not to stay so as to be subpoenaed."

Nuttall records, on November 18th, that testimony would be offered in court the next day "that the Endowments as given by the Prophet Joseph were the same as given today"... and that ... "It never was the view of any well-informed Latter-day Saint that the Church will supersede the Government of the United States."

In a meeting on Saturday, November 3, 1889 the L.D.S. Church attorneys and John W. Young met with the two counselors in the First Presidency to consider further steps to be taken in the trials or hearings. The questions of the propriety of making a statement in court on a prayer offered "for avenging the blood of the prophets" and on the fact that "instructions have been given the Presidency that no more plural marriages shall be solemnized" were considered. President George Q. Cannon was not in favor of making such statements in court but he said that President Wilford Woodruff was the only one that could make such a decision.

This brings us down to November 24th, the day the revelation was given to President Wilford Woodruff in the John Moore and other naturalization cases. This revelation marked the turning point. As President Cannon had said, only the Prophet could make this decision and he in turn, according to L. John Nuttall, turned to God in prayer for the answer. The entry in L. John Nuttall's diary for November 24, 1889 preceding his recording of the revelation is as follows:

"Sunday, November 24, 1889. Bro. D. R. Bateman called for me this evening & took me to the Gardo House. I found Pres. Woodruff there. He with Pres. Geo. Q. Cannon had met this afternoon with Bro. John W. Young, Legrand Young, Jas H. Moyle & R. W. Young to consider the matters as presented and talked upon yesterday, and the question was left with Pres. Woodruff to decide. The President told me of this & said that he had made the subject a matter of prayer and by the voice of the spirit he was directed to write. After he had concluded writing, which he was doing when I arrived, he asked me to copy a Revelation which he had received-I did so.

"Having heard Bro. J. W. Young's reasoning, I felt very much worked up in my feelings for I did not feel that as a church we could assume the position in regard to Celestial Marriage which he seemed to desire to be taken, and when Pres. Woodruff commenced talking to me this evening I felt he had become converted and actually trembled, for I knew such had not been Prest. Woodruff's feelings before, but as I wrote at his dictation, I felt better all the time and when completed I felt as light and joyous as it is possible to feel, for I was satisfied that Pres. Woodruff had received the word of the Lord. When Pres. Jos. F. Smith returned and read the revelation he was moved to tears and expressed his approval and acceptance of the word of the Lord to His servants & Saints. We all felt well and thankful to the Lord. Prest. Woodruff remained with us at the Garde House tonight."

The revelation so received by President Woodruff and read to and approved by his counselor Joseph F. Smith on November 24, 1889 was read to his other counselor, George Q. Cannon the next day (November 25th).

"Prest. Geo. Q. Cannon expressed his satisfaction at the mind of the Lord as given to Prest. Woodruff in the matter spoken of yesterday and Saturday. Bro. John W. Young also called and was informed by Pres. Woodruff of his decision on Court matters, with which he said he was fully satisfied."

Following this entry in Nuttall's diary and a short one for November 2 the revelation as given below is recorded in full under a date of November 24, 1889.

Despite the L.D.S. defense in the court, Judge Anderson finally ruled on November 30, 1889 that "an alien who is a member of the church [i.e. the Church of the Latter-day Saints] is not a fit person to be made a citizen of the United States." (See decision in full published in the Deseret News Weekly, December 7, 1889, pp. 754-760.)

The Revelation had said: "I the Lord will hold the Courts, with the officers of Government, and the nation responsible for their acts towards the inhabitants of Zion." The revelation did not win the court case but it did clearly fix the responsibility for any court decisions made in the naturalization cases. It also states the ultimate supremacy of God over man.

REVELATION to President Wilford Woodruff, Sunday, Nov. 24th, 1889.

Sunday, Nov. 24th, 1889.

Thus saith the Lord to my servant Wilford, I the Lord have heard thy prayer and thy request, and will answer thee by the voice of my Spirit. Thus saith the Lord, unto my servants, the Presidency of my Church, who hold the keys of the Kingdom of God on the earth. I the Lord hold the destiny of the Courts in your midst, and the destiny of this nation, and all other nations of the earth in mine own hands; all that I have revealed, and promised and decreed concerning the generation in which you live, shall come to pass, and no power shall stay my hand. Let not my servants who are called to the Presidency of my Church, deny my word or my law, which concerns the salvation of the children of men. Let them pray for the Holy Spirit, which shall be given them, to guide them in their acts. Place not yourselves in jeopardy to your enemies by promise; your enemies seek your destruction and the destruction of my people. If the Saints will hearken unto my voice, and the counsel of my servants, the wicked shall not prevail. Let my servants, who officiate as your Counselors before the Courts, make their pleadings as they are moved upon by the Holy Spirit, without any further pledges from the Priesthood, and they shall be justified. I the Lord will hold the Courts, with the officers of government, and the nation responsible for their acts towards the inhabitants of Zion. I, Jesus Christ, the savior of the world, am in your midst. I am your advocate with the Father. Fear not little flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. Fear not the wicked and ungodly. Search the Scriptures, for they are they which testify of me; also those revelations which I have given to my Servant Joseph, and to all my Servants since the world began, which are recorded in the records of divine truth. Those revelations contain the judgments of God, which are to be poured out upon all nations under the heavens, which include great babylon. These judgments are at the door, they will be fulfilled as God lives. Leave judgment with me, it is mine saith the Lord. Watch the signs of the times, and they will show the fulfillment of the words of the Lord. Let my servants call upon the Lord in mighty prayer, retain the Holy Ghost as your constant companion, and act as you are moved upon by that spirit, and all will be well with you. The wicked are fast ripening in iniquity, and they will be cut off by the judgments of God. Great events await you and this generation, and are nigh at your doors. Awake, O Israel, and have faith in God, and His promises, and He will not forsake you. I, the Lord will deliver my Saints from the dominion of the wicked, in mine own due time and way. I cannot deny my word, neither in blessings nor judgments. Therefore let mine anointed gird up their loins, watch and be sober, and keep my commandments. Pray always and faint not; exercise faith in the Lord and in the promises of God; be valiant in the testimony of Jesus Christ. The eyes of the Lord and the Heavenly Hosts are watching over you and your acts. Therefore be faithful until I come. I come quickly, to reward every man according with deeds done in the body.

Even so, Amen. {1889-November 24-From a copy in the Diary of L. John Nuttall, 1889, pp. 167-171.} (1)


Revelation to President Wilford Woodruff-Civil and Divine Law-- 1889-November 24-From a copy in the Diary of L. John Nuttall,

This revelation to President Wilford Woodruff was given in answer to prayer "by the voice of the spirit." It was first written by Wilford Woodruff as he received it then immediately copied at President Woodruff's request by L. John Nuttall. Another copy of the revelation also exists in the manuscript diary of Wilford Woodruff.

The historical circumstances that led up to the eventual giving of this revelation as a solution for a very serious problem in L.D.S. Church history are given by Roberts (CHC 6:204-205) in his discussion of the naturalization cases of 1889. But Roberts does not mention this revelation as a climax to the naturalization cases. We are not aware of any discussion of this revelation in any of the standard L.D.S. Church histories. It seems appropriate therefore to briefly sketch the story here from the Diary of L. John Nuttall, the private secretary to President Woodruff. The circumstances surrounding the giving of this important revelation were these.

The Liberal Party (anti-Mormon) won control of Ogden, Utah, in the election of February, 1889. They planned to wrest control of Salt Lake City from the Peoples Party (Mormon) in the municipal election of 1890. According to Roberts (CHC 6:204) "both parties colonized voters in the city for the impending election." An effort was made by both political parties to swell their ranks by the naturalization of aliens. One of nine Latter-day Saint aliens whose case came before Judge Thomas J. Anderson, associate justice of the supreme court of Utah, and acting judge of the third judicial district was John Moore.

On Saturday, November 9, 1889 (according to the Nuttall diary) John Moore's admission to citizenship came before Judge Anderson in the U. S. 3rd District Court. "John Moore having passed all questions and before being sworn a Mr. Hurd & Mr. Jos. Lipman asked him if he had taken an oath in the Endowment House against the government of the United States to which he answered NO! But these men insisted that such an oath is taken."

Judge Anderson then ruled that:

"If any organization requires an oath against the Government, we have the right to get at it. ... The issue will be confined to ascertaining whether there is required of those who go through the Endowment House an Oath that is inconsistent with the duties of a citizen. Other sacred rites or obligations shall not be interfered with. Congress has made special laws against this organization and its members, and if there is an oath that is incompatible with the duties of a citizen, that fact should be known."

The Court then granted Mr. Lipman the authority to subpoena witnesses to testify before the Court on the following Thursday (November 14, 1889).

Hearings on the Moore and other cases continued from the 14th until November 30, 1889. This revelation to President Woodruff was given while the cases were still in progress in court. Roberts states that "There was a great array of legal talent." R. N. Baskin and W. H. Dickson appeared for the Liberal Party as counsel and objected to the naturalization of the Mormons. LeGrand Young, J. H. Moyle, Richard W. Young and other attorneys appeared for the applicants. Charles S. Varian, United States district attorney for Utah, appeared near the close of the hearings as "the official representative of the United States." This gives the historical setting which called forth the revelation.

Church procedures in this setting are given in some detail in the Nuttall diary. We will have space to only touch the highlights. We do so because the Nuttall diary is not widely available to readers.

Briefly then, here is a day-by-day account of the circumstances leading up to the giving of this revelation extracted or in some cases paraphrased from the Nuttall diary.

On October 21, 1889 the First Presidency, consisting of Wilford Woodruff with George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith as counselors, left for a three to four week trip to Alberta, Canada. President Lorenzo Snow, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was in Brigham City, Utah. L. John Nuttall, Secretary to the First Presidency, was instructed to get in touch with President Snow if any emergency arose.

When the Moore case arose on November 9th and Mr. Lipman was given authority to subpoena witnesses including several of the General Authorities of the L.D.S. Church, L. John Nuttall sent telegrams to the First Presidency via Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, B.C.. asking for their return and also to President Lorenzo Snow in Brigham City asking him to come to Salt Lake City.

On November 12th President Snow called a meeting of a small group of L.D.S. Church officials with the Church attorneys. According to Nuttall's minutes of the meeting J. H. Moyle, one of the Church attorneys, discussed the Moore case after which the group decided on the first course of action, namely:

"It was deemed proper for some of our brethren to be present in Court on Thursday whether they are subpoenaed by our enemies or not, and give testimony that no such oath is required of any Latter-day Saints against the Government of the United States in the Endowment House or elsewhere. That this is an opportune time for the Church to declare itself against these foul untruths so often repeated."

On November 13, 1889 President Snow called a meeting of a larger group of L.D.S. leaders and the problem was again presented to them. Word was also received that the First Presidency were on their way home from Canada at the request of President Snow and L. John Nuttall.

On the first day of the hearings in court (November 14th) Nuttall says that "a number of apostates had been subpoenaed and they were given every opportunity to say all they desired in regard to the Endowments, etc." Nuttall also records that: "Bro. Moyle also testified as one of their witnesses but refused to give the Endowment House ceremony. Judge Anderson allowed all kinds of evidence to be admitted, notwithstanding the objections of our attorneys. I wrote out a telegram in cipher & sent to Pres. Woodruff at Portland (Oregon) informing him of what is now going on."

President Lorenzo Snow called another meeting of the L.D.S. and the Peoples Party leadership for the evening of November 14th. Nuttall records that at this meeting the day in court was reviewed and then President Snow said:

"I shall be very much disappointed if after this investigation we don't come out all brighter for it, and make a good record for the Church. As witnesses in that Court we have a right to the spirit of the Lord. This is His work and He will stand by us in doing our best to maintain it."

President Snow gave permission for M. W. Merrill, Anthon H. Lund and Moses Thatcher, all of whom were thoroughly familiar with the Endowment ceremonies, to "go onto the Stand and testify that there were no such oaths, obligations or covenants required in the Endowments, but if they should be asked what did transpire there they could refuse to answer." He ruled that all of the brethren when on the witness stand should refuse to answer any questions that would give any of the Endowments or instructions received in the Endowment House. This ruling of President Lorenzo Snow was in keeping with a previous stand taken by the Church in the John H. Miles case in 1879 where Daniel H. Wells, counsellor to the quorum of twelve apostles, had similarly refused a court order to reveal the details of the Endowment ceremonies and had been held in contempt of court and been fined and imprisoned. See CHC 5:544-546.

President Wilford Woodruff arrived back in Salt Lake City on November 16, 1889 but "concluded not to stay so as to be subpoenaed."

Nuttall records, on November 18th, that testimony would be offered in court the next day "that the Endowments as given by the Prophet Joseph were the same as given today"... and that ... "It never was the view of any well-informed Latter-day Saint that the Church will supersede the Government of the United States."

In a meeting on Saturday, November 3, 1889 the L.D.S. Church attorneys and John W. Young met with the two counselors in the First Presidency to consider further steps to be taken in the trials or hearings. The questions of the propriety of making a statement in court on a prayer offered "for avenging the blood of the prophets" and on the fact that "instructions have been given the Presidency that no more plural marriages shall be solemnized" were considered. President George Q. Cannon was not in favor of making such statements in court but he said that President Wilford Woodruff was the only one that could make such a decision.

This brings us down to November 24th, the day the revelation was given to President Wilford Woodruff in the John Moore and other naturalization cases. This revelation marked the turning point. As President Cannon had said, only the Prophet could make this decision and he in turn, according to L. John Nuttall, turned to God in prayer for the answer. The entry in L. John Nuttall's diary for November 24, 1889 preceding his recording of the revelation is as follows:

"Sunday, November 24, 1889. Bro. D. R. Bateman called for me this evening & took me to the Gardo House. I found Pres. Woodruff there. He with Pres. Geo. Q. Cannon had met this afternoon with Bro. John W. Young, Legrand Young, Jas H. Moyle & R. W. Young to consider the matters as presented and talked upon yesterday, and the question was left with Pres. Woodruff to decide. The President told me of this & said that he had made the subject a matter of prayer and by the voice of the spirit he was directed to write. After he had concluded writing, which he was doing when I arrived, he asked me to copy a Revelation which he had received-I did so.

"Having heard Bro. J. W. Young's reasoning, I felt very much worked up in my feelings for I did not feel that as a church we could assume the position in regard to Celestial Marriage which he seemed to desire to be taken, and when Pres. Woodruff commenced talking to me this evening I felt he had become converted and actually trembled, for I knew such had not been Prest. Woodruff's feelings before, but as I wrote at his dictation, I felt better all the time and when completed I felt as light and joyous as it is possible to feel, for I was satisfied that Pres. Woodruff had received the word of the Lord. When Pres. Jos. F. Smith returned and read the revelation he was moved to tears and expressed his approval and acceptance of the word of the Lord to His servants & Saints. We all felt well and thankful to the Lord. Prest. Woodruff remained with us at the Garde House tonight."

The revelation so received by President Woodruff and read to and approved by his counselor Joseph F. Smith on November 24, 1889 was read to his other counselor, George Q. Cannon the next day (November 25th).

"Prest. Geo. Q. Cannon expressed his satisfaction at the mind of the Lord as given to Prest. Woodruff in the matter spoken of yesterday and Saturday. Bro. John W. Young also called and was informed by Pres. Woodruff of his decision on Court matters, with which he said he was fully satisfied."

Following this entry in Nuttall's diary and a short one for November 2 the revelation as given below is recorded in full under a date of November 24, 1889.

Despite the L.D.S. defense in the court, Judge Anderson finally ruled on November 30, 1889 that "an alien who is a member of the church [i.e. the Church of the Latter-day Saints] is not a fit person to be made a citizen of the United States." (See decision in full published in the Deseret News Weekly, December 7, 1889, pp. 754-760.)

The Revelation had said: "I the Lord will hold the Courts, with the officers of Government, and the nation responsible for their acts towards the inhabitants of Zion." The revelation did not win the court case but it did clearly fix the responsibility for any court decisions made in the naturalization cases. It also states the ultimate supremacy of God over man.

REVELATION to President Wilford Woodruff, Sunday, Nov. 24th, 1889.

Sunday, Nov. 24th, 1889.

Thus saith the Lord to my servant Wilford, I the Lord have heard thy prayer and thy request, and will answer thee by the voice of my Spirit. Thus saith the Lord, unto my servants, the Presidency of my Church, who hold the keys of the Kingdom of God on the earth. I the Lord hold the destiny of the Courts in your midst, and the destiny of this nation, and all other nations of the earth in mine own hands; all that I have revealed, and promised and decreed concerning the generation in which you live, shall come to pass, and no power shall stay my hand. Let not my servants who are called to the Presidency of my Church, deny my word or my law, which concerns the salvation of the children of men. Let them pray for the Holy Spirit, which shall be given them, to guide them in their acts. Place not yourselves in jeopardy to your enemies by promise; your enemies seek your destruction and the destruction of my people. If the Saints will hearken unto my voice, and the counsel of my servants, the wicked shall not prevail. Let my servants, who officiate as your Counselors before the Courts, make their pleadings as they are moved upon by the Holy Spirit, without any further pledges from the Priesthood, and they shall be justified. I the Lord will hold the Courts, with the officers of government, and the nation responsible for their acts towards the inhabitants of Zion. I, Jesus Christ, the savior of the world, am in your midst. I am your advocate with the Father. Fear not little flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. Fear not the wicked and ungodly. Search the Scriptures, for they are they which testify of me; also those revelations which I have given to my Servant Joseph, and to all my Servants since the world began, which are recorded in the records of divine truth. Those revelations contain the judgments of God, which are to be poured out upon all nations under the heavens, which include great babylon. These judgments are at the door, they will be fulfilled as God lives. Leave judgment with me, it is mine saith the Lord. Watch the signs of the times, and they will show the fulfillment of the words of the Lord. Let my servants call upon the Lord in mighty prayer, retain the Holy Ghost as your constant companion, and act as you are moved upon by that spirit, and all will be well with you. The wicked are fast ripening in iniquity, and they will be cut off by the judgments of God. Great events await you and this generation, and are nigh at your doors. Awake, O Israel, and have faith in God, and His promises, and He will not forsake you. I, the Lord will deliver my Saints from the dominion of the wicked, in mine own due time and way. I cannot deny my word, neither in blessings nor judgments. Therefore let mine anointed gird up their loins, watch and be sober, and keep my commandments. Pray always and faint not; exercise faith in the Lord and in the promises of God; be valiant in the testimony of Jesus Christ. The eyes of the Lord and the Heavenly Hosts are watching over you and your acts. Therefore be faithful until I come. I come quickly, to reward every man according with deeds done in the body.

Even so, Amen. {1889-November 24-From a copy in the Diary of L. John Nuttall, 1889, pp. 167-171.} (1)

Endnotes:
1 - Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)

LDS History Chronology: Lorenzo Snow

Mormon History Timeline: the life of Lorenzo Snow
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

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Lorenzo Snow, Jun 8, 1889

-- Jun 8, 1889
[Utah] Apostle Lorenzo Snow says that "his sister, the late Eliza R. Snow Smith, was a firm believer in the principle of reincarnation and that she claimed to have received if from the Joseph the Prophet, her husband. He said he saw nothing unreasonable in it, and could believe it, if it came from the Lord or His oracle." (1)


-- Oct 7, 1889
[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill Diary] I was ordained an Apostle under the hands of President Wilford Woodruff and Counselors George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith and eight Apostles, viz., Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Moses Thatcher, F. M. Lyman, H. J. Grant, J. H. Smith, and John W. Taylor, President Woodruff being mouth. This was done on Monday at the Gardo House after the close of the General Conference at Salt Lake City, Utah. Brothers Anthon H, Lund and Abram H. Cannon were ordained Apostles at the same time. I did not attend the Conference at this time on account of being unwell, but was telegraphed for by President George Q. Cannon and met this genuine surprise after arriving in Salt Lake City on Sunday evening, October 6th. (2)


-- Oct 21, 1889
Pres[ident] Wilford Woodruff & wife, Pres[ident] Jos[eph]. F. Smith & Elder Brigham Young [Jr.] left by a special train provided by Bro[ther] John W. Young this morning at 5:30 for Pocatello Idaho. Bro[ther] John W. Young & some ladies were also passengers for the trip to Pocatello & return [to Lee s Creek, Alberta via Portland, Tacoma, Vancouver & the Canadian Pacific railway to Dunmore & thence to Lethbridge & team to Lees Creek-three or four weeks] Lorenzo Snow with L. John Nuttall left in charge. (3)


-- Nov 13, 1889
7:30 Lorenzo Snow, Moses Thatcher, John Henry Smith, Heber J. Grant, John W. Taylor, Marriner W[ood]. Merrill, Abra[ha]m H. Cannon, Aaron D. Thatcher, E[dwin]. G. Woolley, John Clark, John E. Carlich, Richard W. Young, James H. Moyle, LeGrand Young Ja[me]s H. Anderson, W[illiam]. Writer, F Jennings, Charles W. Penrose & L. John Nuttall in Gardo [House] regarding Judge Anderson s naturalization case in 3rd Dist[rict] Court ...

Bro[ther] Moyle asked several questions of Bro[ther] John Henry Smith, Anthon H Lund & Marriner W[ood] Merrill which were very satisfactory. then Bro[ther] A. D. Thatcher, John Clark, W[illiam] W Riter, E[dwin] G Woolley, Frank Jennings & J H Anderson were asked some questions in point as to oaths & all of whom answered very well & pointedly. Bro[ther] Riter had formed an impression in regard to avenging the blood of the prophets & church when he got his endowments which had continued with him so that he was not clear as to other brethren. (3)

Endnotes:
1 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power
2 - Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
3 - First Presidency Office Journal

LDS History Chronology: Lorenzo Snow

Mormon History Timeline: the life of Lorenzo Snow
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

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