December 14

      Governor Ford

1842 – The Church delegation in Springfield, Illinois, met with Governor Ford to present an affidavit showing that Joseph Smith was in Illinois on the date that an assassination attempt was made on former Missouri Governor Boggs and therefore could not have been involved and requested the repeal of the arrest warrant for the Prophet Joseph. Governor Ford replied that the arrest writ of Governor Carlin was illegal but that he doubted he could interfere with the acts of his predecessor. He agreed to request a judgement from the state supreme court the next day for their recommendation on what action he could take.

1843 – The Prophet Joseph received a letter from Governor Ford of Illinois that stated he had no right to interfere in individual crimes committed against the Saints in Missouri and that punishment belonged to the judicial power and not the executive—-that he hadn’t read the voluminous affidavits and evidence and probably never will. An angry Joseph Smith writes, “O reason, where art thou fled? O humanity, where hast thou hidden thyself? Patriots of ‘76, has your blood been spilt in vain, that in 1843 the Executive of a great Republican State can coolly say, ‘I have not yet read them, and probably never will?’ Is liberty only a name? Is protection of person and property fled from free America? Let those answer who can” (History of the Church, 6:115).

1845 – The Quorum of the Twelve and their wives met in a special meeting in the Nauvoo Temple. Brigham Young spoke on some of the brethren making objections to persons being permitted to receive the ordinances. He stated that when a person objects to another receiving the ordinances he becomes responsible to answer to God for that man’s salvation. Every one who walked according to the commandments, paid their tithing, and sought after salvation was eligible for all the blessings of the Priesthood. Also, many who had received their endowments the previous week met in the Nauvoo Temple to receive additional instructions.

1907 – In a letter to the Saints in the Netherlands, the First Presidency for the first time urges European members not to immigrate to the western United States. Prior to this time, new converts were encouraged to join with the Saints in the Latter-day Saint communities of the intermountain west.

      Guatemala City Guatemala Temple

1980 – The first stake in Puerto Rico was organized at San Juan.

1984 – The Guatemala City Guatemala Temple is dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley of the First Presidency.

      Seoul South Korea Temple

1985 – The Seoul South Korea Temple is dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley of the First Presidency. It is the first temple on mainland Asia.

      Mormon Battalion Monument, Tucson, Arizona

1996 – A monument to the Mormon Battalion in Tucson, Arizona, is dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley.

2012 – Six-year-old Emilie Parker, was one of 20 young children killed in Newtown, Connecticut, during an unimaginable attack at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Her LDS family had recently moved to Connecticut from Ogden, Utah.

2017 – The First Presidency announced that beginning Jan. 1, young women ages 12-18 will be able to assist with tasks in the temple baptistry currently performed by adult women who serve as temple ordinance workers or volunteers. Priests, ages 16-18, will be able to perform baptisms for the dead and serve as witnesses for those proxy baptisms. Until now, priests could perform baptisms for the living, but baptisms on behalf of the dead were performed only by adult men. Also announced was a change for 11-year-olds. The annual priesthood preview meeting to introduce 11-year-old boys to the priesthood will now become a combined temple and priesthood preparation meeting for 11-year-old girls and boys.

2018 – The First Presidency announced age changes for youth progression and ordination in a desire to strengthen children and youth through increased faith in Jesus Christ, deeper understanding of His gospel, and greater unity with His Church and its members. Beginning in January 2019, children will complete Primary and youth will progress from one class or quorum to another as age-groups, instead of on their birthdays. Ordination to Aaronic Priesthood offices and obtaining a limited-use temple recommend will continue to be based on individual worthiness, readiness, and personal circumstances and will typically take place throughout January.

      Emilie Parker