Glimpse of Past – LDS Church History Oct 24-31

Posted by on Oct 25, 2010 in Glimpse of the Past - LDS Church History |

October 27, 1838 (Saturday) – Gov. Lilburn W. Boggs issued his famous exterminating order, which gave the Saints the choice between banishment from Missouri and death. October 30, 1838 (Tuesday) – A mob under the leadership of Col. Wm. O. Jennings attacked a little settlement of Saints at Haun’s Mill, Caldwell Co., Mo., and killed and mortally wounded several Saints.  Others were severely wounded, but recovered. October 29, 1839 (Tuesday) – Joseph Smith, jun., accompanied by Sidney Rigdon, Elias Higbee and O. Porter Rockwell left Commerce for Washington, D. C., to lay the grievances of the Saints before the President and Congress of the United States. October 29, 1842 (Saturday) – The ship Emerald sailed from Liverpool with 250 Saints, under the leadership of Apostle Parley P. Pratt. Because of ice in the Mississippi river the company was detained during the winter in St. Louis, Alton, Chester and other places, and did not arrive in Nauvoo until April 12, 1843. October 30, 1851 (Thursday) – John Murdock and Charles W. Wandell, arrived at Sydney, as Latter-day Saint missionaries to Australia, and commenced to preach the...

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Netanya – Israel Tour

Posted by on Oct 25, 2010 in Site of the Week - LDS Church History Tour |

NETANYA Netanya is home to many immigrants from Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.  It is a modern Israeli city founded by settlers in 1929.  Although early settlers were dependent on citrus growing, it was not long before the potential for tourism was recognized.  There is a strong high-tech industrial presence in Netanya today.  Resorts and tourism continue to be an important contributor to the economy.  The Netanya Academic College, established in 1994, has a history of association with members of the LDS Church.  The college houses the Center for Strategic Dialogue, which sponsors the House of Joseph/House of Judah Dialogue Center.  The late Dr. Joseph Ginat, a former University of Utah professor and Israeli architect, was on the faculty at the college and facilitated many conversations between Jewish and Mormon scholars.  During his time at the University of Utah, Dr. Ginat learned of Orson Hyde’s visit to the Holy Land in 1841 and his dedication of the land for the return of the Jews.  Dr. Ginat, an advisor to Golda Meir and many other Israeli Prime Ministers, worked hard to ensure that the story of Orson Hyde was told in Israel’s schools’ history books.  Dr. Ginat headed the effort to develop the Orson Hyde Square at Netanya Academic College.  The Square features an olive tree planted to honor each of the modern prophets of the LDS Church.   ~ by Ken Wallentine For more Israel Sites – See our Israel Tour...

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Merthyr Tydfil, Wales – England & Wales Tour, Site of the Week

Posted by on Oct 13, 2010 in Site of the Week - LDS Church History Tour |

Merthyr Tydfil, Wales Merthyr Tydfil – and the area around it – mark the greatest growth area for the Church in Wales, particularly the work there of Elders William Henshaw and Dan Jones in the 1840s and 1850s. About twenty converts joined the Church each month in Wales in 1845, but in 1846 about 40 were baptised each month and in 1847 nearly seventy were converted each month. This extraordinary Church growth was due in large measure to the spiritual and rhetorical power of Dan Jones, and the numerous pamphlets and newspapers he published in his native Welsh.  Among those converted through Dan Jones’ efforts was John Parry, who emigrated to America and began the chorus that eventually became the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Pres. McKay came to this area in search of the birth place of his mother, Jennette Evans McKay.  When he finally found the small cottage, he toured the home & stood weeping at being able to be at this beloved place.  A memorial plaque was placed at the cottage which made his trip to this area extra special to him. Prior to coming to Merthyr Tydfil, President McKay was given a dinner in his honor.  He was presented with a beautiful organ and plaque in honor of his mother to be placed at the Merthyr Tydfil chapel which was soon to start construction.  The chapel went from the footing stage to its completion in less than eight months.  On August 25, 1963, the dedication of the new chapel at Merthyr Tydfil, Wales took place.  At that time Pres. McKay officially accepted and honored the gift of the organ that was given in memory of his mother. For more England and Wales Sites – See our Tour...

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Glimpse of Past – LDS Church History Oct 16-23

Posted by on Oct 13, 2010 in Glimpse of the Past - LDS Church History |

October 17, 1839 (Thursday) – Apostle Heber C. Kimball was poisoned at Terre Haute, Indiana, but his life was saved by the administration of Apostle Brigham Young. October 17, 1846 (Saturday) – On this and the following day a general conference was held in Manchester, England, under the presidency of Apostles Hyde, Pratt and Taylor. Dan Jones reported one thousand Saints in Wales, and a conference was organized in Ireland, with Paul Jones as president. October 19, 1846 (Monday) -The Battalion left Santa Fe for California. On the journey they suffered much from excessive marches, fatigue and short rations. October 18, 1852 (Monday) – Apostle Parley P. Pratt arrived in G.S.L. City from his mission to South America. October 21, 1855 (Sunday) – A branch of the Church consisting of eight members, was organized at Dresden, Germany. Shortly afterwards the number increased to about twenty, including a few in...

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Randolph, Vermont – Sharon to Kirtland Tour, Site of the Week

Posted by on Oct 7, 2010 in Site of the Week - LDS Church History Tour |

Randolph Township, Vermont Our site of the week is dedicated to our Sharon to Kirtland Tour which departs in just a few days. In 1802, Joseph Smith Sr. and his wife, Lucy, rented out the farm in Tunbridge and moved to the “town” of Randolph, where they ran a mercantile store.  While here, Lucy became seriously ill with tuberculosis and covenanted service to God if she recovered.  She did recover.  Lucy later wrote that, desiring to fulfill her covenant with God, she “went from place to place for the purpose of getting information and finding…some congenial spirit who could enter into my feelings and thus be able to strengthen and assist me in carrying out my resolutions.”  At that point in her life Lucy was disappointed, concluding that “there was not then upon the earth the religion which I sought”  (Smith, Lucy Mack.  History of Joseph Smith by His Mother, Lucy Mack Smith.  Salt Lake City: Brookcraft, 1958.) After merchandising for a short while, Joseph Sr. began crystallizing the wild growing ginseng root, which sold for a high price in China.  He was offered $3,000 for it by a Mr. Stevens.  This would be about $300,000 today.  This amount of ginseng was worth about $4,500 in China at the time.  Joseph Sr. elected instead to contract with a Mr. Stevens to sail to China and sell it for him, hoping to get the full amount.  Mr. Stevens took Joseph’s ginseng to China, sold it for about $4,000, gave nothing to Joseph Sr., then fled to Canada.  With a heavy debt of $1,800 for store goods, Joseph and Lucy moved back to the “old farm” in Tunbridge Gore, which they then sold for $800, half its value.  With this money and Lucy’s wedding gift of $1,000 from her brother Stephen and his partner John Mudget, they were able to pay their debts and move to Royalton, then to Sharon. For more Sharon to Kirtland sites – See our Tour...

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