October 25

1831 – The Prophet Joseph Smith receives the revelation known as Doctrine and Covenants 66, containing the Lord’s instructions to William E. McLellin and the calling of Samuel H. Smith as a missionary. (History of the Church, 1:219-221)

1838 – As the men led by Elder David W. Patten arrived at Crooked River, a shot was fired hitting Patrick O’Banion. Elder Patten then ordered the men to charge down the hill and set up a line. The mob set up a line near the river. Several shots were fired back and forth, the Saints at a disadvantage as they were shooting west into the dark and the mob had the advantage firing east with the rising sun behind the Saints silhouetting them.

      David W. Patten

Elder Patten ordered a charge that resulted in hand-to-hand fighting with swords, causing the mob to flee. As the mob was fleeing, one came from behind a tree and turned, firing a shot that hit Elder Patten, who fell wounded. The Saints gathered up their wounded, numbering about eleven men and returned to Far West. One brother, Gideon Carter, was killed during the fighting, Elder Patten died later in the evening at the home of Brother Winchester about three miles from Far West where he had been left as a result of his wounds. The Prophet Joseph, his brother Hyrum, and Lyman Wight, went to meet the brethren on their return and visited with Elder Patten before he died. Young Patrick O’Banion, the first person shot in the battle, also died during the evening. The total was three dead and nine wounded in the battle of Crooked River, including Elder David W. Patten, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. (History of the Church, 3:171-172)

1890 – In the first experiment in weekday religious education for public school students in the United States, the First Presidency directs stake presidents and bishops to hold religion classes after school or on Saturdays in every ward where there is not a Church school.

1893 – United States President Grover Cleveland signs a resolution providing for the return to the Church some of the property confiscated under the anti-polygamy Edmunds-Tucker Act.

1991 – Elder James E. Faust dedicates Zimbabwe for the preaching of the gospel.

1992 – On the Way Home, a Church video production, is shown over the Church satellite network as part of a missionary open house held in meetinghouses throughout North America.