Apostles

Joseph Smith, Jr. portrait

February 14, 1835: The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is first named. On April 6, 1830 Joseph Smith, Jr. founded the Latter Day Saint movement in New York. In 1827, when he was 27 years old, he announced an angel showed him some golden plates five years earlier. These were eventually translated and published as the Book of Mormon in 1830. The plates came into Smith’s possession and sworn affidavits by eleven others say they also saw and handled the ancient plates, too.

The Three Witnesses, three of those who had seen the golden plates, were instructed by Smith to select the original twelve members for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Quorum of Twelve. The chosen were announced on this day and anointed as apostles. These were the leaders of the church, also called LDS or Mormons. They are Restorationist Christians. They are not part of the Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church, or any variety of Protestant religion.

Smith moved to Kirkland, Ohio in 1831. He continued to preach the tenets of his church and proffer the Book of Mormon for instruction. While preaching, Smith and his family lived as guests in believers’ homes. He met with problems and one night an angry mob dragged him from his bed, beat him unconscious, and tarred and feathered him. He was almost castrated, as well. This hastened his move to Missouri. The group arrived in Independence, then a small village of about twenty homes.

The Mormons met with disapproval in Missouri, too. There were also problems within the ranks of church members and some of the twelve apostles were expelled. Hostilities between Missourians and Mormons escalated. Smith was jailed but was permitted to “escape” on his way to trial. Brigham Young had assumed leadership while Smith had been incarcerated. Smith was killed by a group of assailants when he was once again in custody. There was a mad dash to see who could manage to take over the leadership of the church. Brigham Young suggested the Quorum lead the church together. He was the leader of the group of twelve.

Mormons think they live in their own world, … and that Utah’s this place where it’s supposed to be perfect. “God is here.” But he’s not. Not any more than he is in Compton. – Quinn Allman

It’s a lot more common now for someone to know a Mormon rather than just know of Mormons out in Utah, … We seem more normal. We’re not as exotic. – Brigham Young

Education is the power to think clearly, the power to act well in the worlds work, and the power to appreciate life. – Brigham Young

If my life is of no value to my friends, then it is of no value to me. – Joseph Smith, Jr.

Also on this day:

Opening Night – In 1895, The Importance of Being Earnest opened in London.
Smooch – In 270, St. Valentine was executed.
Scarface vs. Bugs – In 1929, the Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre took place in Chicago.