February 21

1835 – Parley P. Pratt, called on February 14 to be an Apostle, is ordained an Apostle by the Prophet Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and David Whitmer. (History of the Church, 2:191-192).

1836 – The Prophet Joseph spent the day “in reading, meditation and prayer.’  He studied Hebrew and writes that many of those who were enemies of the Church were beginning to show and interest in the Church and were becoming friendly.  (History of the Church, 2:398)

1841 – Joseph Taylor recorded that the Prophet Joseph prophesied to his worried mother that her son John would safely return from jail within a week after having been imprisoned in Missouri for six months; he returned six days later  (Juvenile Instructor, 27:202).

1843 – The Prophet Joseph spoke to the workers on the Nauvoo House and encouraged them in completing it saying, “The building of the Nauvoo House is just as sacred in my view as the Temple.’  He also spoke of the rumors and stories going around Nauvoo and asked that they be stopped.  He also talked of his persecution over the years.  He also states, “In relation to politics, I will speak as a man; but in relation to religion I will speak in authority'(History of the Church, 5:285).

1844 – The Prophet Joseph again met with the Twelve Apostles to discuss sending a company of men to look for a location in the west for the Saints to move to.  Several brethren were chosen and volunteered for the journey.  They were requested to meet with the Twelve a couple days later.  In the evening, the Prophet Joseph attended a lecture in the assembly room above the Red Brick Store given by an Episcopalian reverend, Mr. De Wolfe.  The Prophet then spoke on the importance of obedience to God saying, “The object with me is to obey and teach others to obey God in just what HE tells us to do.  It mattereth not whether the principle is popular or unpopular, I will always maintain a true principle, even if I stand alone in it’ (History of the Church, 6:223).

1853 – Excavation for the foundation began for the Salt Lake Temple. It would be 40 years before the Temple would be completed and dedicated.

1977 – President Spencer W. Kimball begins a nineteen-day tour of Latin America, attending area conferences and meeting with the heads of state in Mexico, Guatemala, Chile, and Bolivia.

1990 – The Czechoslovakian government renews recognition of the Church; it had originally been granted in 1928.

1999 – President Gordon B. Hinckley addressed a missionary broadcast over the Church satellite system that focused on two responsibilities: the finding and friendshipping of new investigators and the responsibility of holding on to each convert.

2004 – In what may have been the largest member meeting held outside the United States,  President Gordon B. Hinckley spoke to a reported 60,000 members assembled in the Pacaembu Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil.  The program was also carried by satellite to tens of thousands of members gathered at 184 stake centers and 13 districts throughout Brazil.

2016 – During the worst tropical storm to ever make landfall in Fiji, President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency, rededicated the Suva Fiji Temple.