October 12

1833 – While traveling on a mission to upper Canada, the Prophet Joseph, and his companion Sidney Rigdon, arrive at the home of Freeman Nickerson in Perrysburg, New York. While staying there Joseph receives the revelation known as Doctrine and Covenants 100. (History of the Church, 1:419-421)

1838 – The Prophet Joseph, traveling with the Saints from DeWitt, Missouri, to Far West, Missouri, records that they were continually harassed, threatened, and shot at while traveling. Several Saints died from the fatigue and starvation and were buried along the wayside. The group of seventy wagons arrived to the safety of Far West on this date. (History of the Church, 3:160)

1839 – John Young, Sr., father of Brigham Young, died in Quincy, Illinois, having been driven from Missouri with the Saints the previous winter. The Prophet Joseph wrote that he “died a martyr to the religion of Jesus, for his death was caused by his suffering in the cruel persecution’ (History of the Church, 4:15). Brigham Young was on his way to England to serve a mission when his father died.

1892 – Articles of incorporation for the “National Women’s Relief Societies’ are filed. In 1945, the name would be changed to the “Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.’

1963 – The Polynesian Cultural Center is dedicated by President Hugh B. Brown of the First Presidency and opened to the public. It is located near the Laie Hawaii Temple and Brigham Young University-Hawaii.

1998 – During the New York City Columbus Day Parade, 150 members of the Church carried flags from countries throughout the world.

2006 – United States President George W. Bush signed a bill designating the National Mormon Pioneer Heritage Area. The National Mormon Pioneer Heritage Area runs along U.S. 89 in Utah from Fairview in Sanpete County south through Kane, Garfield, Piute, Sevier, and Wayne Counties to the Arizona border, and contains examples of the rich cultural and architectural history shaped by the Mormon pioneers.