DOCSLIB.ORG

A Historical and Analytical Examination of Lorenzo Snow's 1899 Reemphasis of Tithing Zachary Ryan Horton Brigham Young University

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A Historical and Analytical Examination of Lorenzo Snow's 1899 Reemphasis of Tithing Zachary Ryan Horton Brigham Young University Brigham Young University BYU ScholarsArchive All Theses and Dissertations 2015-12-01 "Wherein Shall We Return?": A Historical and Analytical Examination of Lorenzo Snow's 1899 Reemphasis of Tithing Zachary Ryan Horton Brigham Young University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd Part of the Mormon Studies Commons BYU ScholarsArchive Citation Horton, Zachary Ryan, ""Wherein Shall We Return?": A Historical and Analytical Examination of Lorenzo Snow's 1899 Reemphasis of Tithing" (2015). All Theses and Dissertations. 6141. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/6141 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. “Wherein Shall We Return?”: A Historical and Analytical Examination of Lorenzo Snow’s 1899 Reemphasis of Tithing Zachary Ryan Horton A thesis submitted to the faculty of Brigham Young University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Andrew H. Hedges, Chair J. B. Haws Gerrit J. Dirkmaat Religious Education Brigham Young University December 2015 Copyright © 2015 Zachary Ryan Horton All Rights Reserved ABSTRACT “Wherein Shall We Return?”: A Historical and Analytical Examination of Lorenzo Snow’s 1899 Reemphasis of Tithing Zachary Ryan Horton Religious Education, BYU Master of Arts This thesis examines the events and discourses targeted to reemphasize the law tithing and to encourage increased tithe-paying from members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints between 1899 and 1907. This examination begins at Church president Lorenzo Snow’s journey to St. George and extends through Joseph F. Smith’s announcement of the Church’s freedom from its long-standing debts. Each chapter analyzes this period from a different perspective provided by contemporary sources. These perspectives include primarily newspaper reports and transcripts from Lorenzo Snow’s journey to St. George, reports from general Church conferences, and articles in Church-sponsored publications. This examination yields a more contoured view of the discussion of tithing in the Church at the turn of the 20th century and shows, importantly, that one of Lorenzo Snow’s main motivations for his reemphasis of tithing was to prepare the Church to return to and reclaim Zion in Jackson County, Missouri. Keywords: Tithing, Lorenzo Snow, Zion, Jackson County, debt, reemphasis of tithing ACKNOWLEDGMENTS If there is a great woman behind every great man, then I must conclude after my experience that there is a greatly patient, encouraging, loving, and intelligent woman behind this exhausted graduate student. I owe and dedicate this thesis to my wife, Krista, who has not only been motivational and supportive but has also mothered a young and growing family, all too often in my absence. I also thank my children—Finnley, Rowan, and Isla—who gave up Daddy on many occasions and who provided instant release from research and writing by playing Legos with me. I did this, as with everything else, for my family. I have enjoyed my graduate program more than should probably be allowed and give my love and gratitude to my cohort of friends who kept me laughing at myself and my incredible professors who constantly enlightened my mind and expanded my abilities. I think and act better because of the people with whom I studied in this program. Lastly, I acknowledge the blessing it was to work with a committee who was, at the same time, demanding and understanding, critical and flexible. Without their guidance I would have been lost in a sea of research and either drowned in something too large or floundered in something too shallow. I owe any utility this thesis may have to their mentoring and leadership. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................................. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ........................................................................................................................... iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................. iv Chapter 1 Introduction: Historiography and History ............................................................................ 1 Historiography ............................................................................................................................... 2 History ............................................................................................................................................. 7 Chapter 2 On the Road: The Journey to St. George ............................................................................. 16 “I know, Lord, now why I am here” .......................................................................................... 20 “Freed from encumbrances” ...................................................................................................... 22 “We are surely going to Zion in Jackson County” ................................................................... 26 “We have got to give all that we have” ....................................................................................... 32 “The most glorious temple” ........................................................................................................ 36 “You have glorious prospects for gaining salvation” ............................................................... 39 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 43 Chapter 3 From the Pulpit: The Preaching from General Conferences .............................................. 45 “These matters are not very pleasant to dwell upon” ............................................................... 48 “If we would do better now, the Lord would forgive us for the past” .................................... 52 “It is wonderful how the Saints have reformed in this duty” .................................................. 56 “The Law of Revenue” ................................................................................................................ 61 “We thank God that we are in a position to help them” .......................................................... 66 “We have been able, too, to purchase quite a tract of land in Jackson County” ................... 70 iv Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 73 Chapter 4 In the Publications: The Discussion in Church Periodicals ................................................ 74 “A great awakening” ................................................................................................................... 74 “A Question on Tithing” ............................................................................................................. 77 “Who shall pay tithing?” ............................................................................................................. 80 “Pay tithes on the mites” ............................................................................................................. 85 “For the Letter Box” .................................................................................................................... 89 “There are three reasons why we should pay tithing” ............................................................. 95 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................. 102 Conclusion: The Windows of Heaven ................................................................................................... 104 BIBLIOGRAPHY ..................................................................................................................................... 108 Primary ....................................................................................................................................... 108 Secondary ................................................................................................................................... 116 Appendix 1.1: References to Tithing in General Conference ............................................................. 119 v Chapter 1 Introduction: Historiography and History In May 1899 President Lorenzo Snow, fourth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, embarked on a revelation-inspired trip to St. George, Utah. The president’s son LeRoi recalled walking into his father’s room one morning and seeing the prophet sitting up in his bed: “His face was almost white and his eyes shone as I had never seen them before. All he said was: 'I am going to St. George.’” 1 In St. George, and throughout the cities he visited on his return to Salt Lake, President Snow called for church members to renew their attention and obedience to the law of tithing. Historical analysis, coverage in church manuals, and even church-produced videos have cemented this event as one of, if not the most, memorable moment of President Snow’s administration.2 While other writers have provided sufficient stop-by-stop chronicles of the trip to and home from St. George, this thesis will deepen the study of the reemphasis
Load more

Recommended publications
  • A Study of Historical Evidences Related to LDS Church As Reflected in Volumes XIV Through XXVI of the Journal of Discourses
    Brigham Young University BYU ScholarsArchive Theses and Dissertations 1976-04-01 A Study of Historical Evidences Related to LDS Church as Reflected in olumesV XIV Through XXVI of the Journal of Discourses Terry J. Aubrey Brigham Young University - Provo Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd Part of the Cultural History Commons, and the Mormon Studies Commons BYU ScholarsArchive Citation Aubrey, Terry J., "A Study of Historical Evidences Related to LDS Church as Reflected in olumesV XIV Through XXVI of the Journal of Discourses" (1976). Theses and Dissertations. 4490. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/4490 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected].
    [Show full text]
  • GENERAL HANDBOOK Serving in the Church of Jesus Christ Jesus of Church Serving in The
    GENERAL HANDBOOK: SERVING IN THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS • JULY 2020 2020 SAINTS • JULY GENERAL HANDBOOK: SERVING IN THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST LATTER-DAY GENERAL HANDBOOK Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints JULY 2020 JULY 2020 General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Salt Lake City, Utah © 2020 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Version: 7/20 PD60010241 000 Printed in the United States of America Contents 0. Introductory Overview . xiv 0.0. Introduction . xiv 0.1. This Handbook . .xiv 0.2. Adaptation and Optional Resources . .xiv 0.3. Updates . xv 0.4. Questions about Instructions . xv 0.5. Terminology . .xv 0.6. Contacting Church Headquarters or the Area Office . xv Doctrinal Foundation 1. God’s Plan and Your Role in the Work of Salvation and Exaltation . .1 1.0. Introduction . 1 1.1. God’s Plan of Happiness . .2 1.2. The Work of Salvation and Exaltation . 2 1.3. The Purpose of the Church . .4 1.4. Your Role in God’s Work . .5 2. Supporting Individuals and Families in the Work of Salvation and Exaltation . .6 2.0. Introduction . 6 2.1. The Role of the Family in God’s Plan . .6 2.2. The Work of Salvation and Exaltation in the Home . 9 2.3. The Relationship between the Home and the Church . 11 3. Priesthood Principles . 13 3.0. Introduction . 13 3.1. Restoration of the Priesthood .
    [Show full text]
  • The Political Thought and Activity of Heber J. Grant, Seventh President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
    Brigham Young University BYU ScholarsArchive Theses and Dissertations 1965 The Political Thought and Activity of Heber J. Grant, Seventh President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Loman Franklin Aydelotte Brigham Young University - Provo Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd Part of the History Commons, and the Mormon Studies Commons BYU ScholarsArchive Citation Aydelotte, Loman Franklin, "The Political Thought and Activity of Heber J. Grant, Seventh President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints" (1965). Theses and Dissertations. 4492. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/4492 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. f THE POLITICAL THOUGHT AND ACTIVITY OF HEBER J GRANT SEVENTH PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTERDAYLATTER DAY SAINTS A thesis presented to the department of history brigham young university in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree master of arts by loman franklin aydelotte april 15 1965 this thesis by loman franklin aydelotte is accepted in its present form by the department of history of brigham0 young university as satisfying the thesis requirements for the degree of master of arts april 15 1965 minor committeetlitteeattee member vv acing chairman major depahnpient typed by nola B aydelotte
    [Show full text]
  • The Secret Mormon Meetings of 1922
    University of Nevada, Reno THE SECRET MORMON MEETINGS OF 1922 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in History By Shannon Caldwell Montez C. Elizabeth Raymond, Ph.D. / Thesis Advisor December 2019 Copyright by Shannon Caldwell Montez 2019 All Rights Reserved UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA RENO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL We recommend that the thesis prepared under our supervision by SHANNON CALDWELL MONTEZ entitled The Secret Mormon Meetings of 1922 be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS C. Elizabeth Raymond, Ph.D., Advisor Cameron B. Strang, Ph.D., Committee Member Greta E. de Jong, Ph.D., Committee Member Erin E. Stiles, Ph.D., Graduate School Representative David W. Zeh, Ph.D., Dean, Graduate School December 2019 i Abstract B. H. Roberts presented information to the leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in January of 1922 that fundamentally challenged the entire premise of their religious beliefs. New research shows that in addition to church leadership, this information was also presented during the neXt few months to a select group of highly educated Mormon men and women outside of church hierarchy. This group represented many aspects of Mormon belief, different areas of eXpertise, and varying approaches to dealing with challenging information. Their stories create a beautiful tapestry of Mormon life in the transition years from polygamy, frontier life, and resistance to statehood, assimilation, and respectability. A study of the people involved illuminates an important, overlooked, underappreciated, and eXciting period of Mormon history.
    [Show full text]
  • The Development of Municipal Government in the Territory of Utah
    Brigham Young University BYU ScholarsArchive Theses and Dissertations 1972 The Development of Municipal Government in the Territory of Utah Alvin Charles Koritz Brigham Young University - Provo Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd Part of the Mormon Studies Commons, and the Political Science Commons BYU ScholarsArchive Citation Koritz, Alvin Charles, "The Development of Municipal Government in the Territory of Utah" (1972). Theses and Dissertations. 4856. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/4856 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Brigham Young University BYU ScholarsArchive All Theses and Dissertations 1972 The evelopmeD nt of Municipal Government in the Territory of Utah Alvin Charles Koritz Brigham Young University - Provo Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd Part of the Mormon Studies Commons, and the Political Science Commons BYU ScholarsArchive Citation Koritz, Alvin Charles, "The eD velopment of Municipal Government in the Territory of Utah" (1972). All Theses and Dissertations. 4856. http://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/4856 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE DEVELOPMENT OF MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT IN THE TERRITORY OF UTAH A Thesis Presented to the Department of Political Science Brigham Young University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts by Alvin Charles Koritz August 1972 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The author sincerely wishes to acknowledge the assistance and encouragement given to him by the following people: Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • The Decline in Convert Baptisms and Member Emigration from the British Mission After 1870
    BYU Studies Quarterly Volume 27 Issue 2 Article 8 4-1-1987 The Decline in Convert Baptisms and Member Emigration from the British Mission after 1870 Bruce A. Van-Orden Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byusq Recommended Citation Van-Orden, Bruce A. (1987) "The Decline in Convert Baptisms and Member Emigration from the British Mission after 1870," BYU Studies Quarterly: Vol. 27 : Iss. 2 , Article 8. Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byusq/vol27/iss2/8 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in BYU Studies Quarterly by an authorized editor of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Van-Orden: The Decline in Convert Baptisms and Member Emigration from the Br the decline in convert baptisms and member emigration from the british mission after 1870 bruce A van orden for most of the nineteenth century the british mission was the largest mission of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints between 1837 when joseph smith authorized heber C kimball to lead the first LDS missionary entourage to britain and 1870 more people were baptized in the british mission than in any other mission of the church and more latter day saints emigrated to utah from the british isles than from any other place in the world during the thirty three years from 1837 through 1869 95232 people were baptized in the british mission an average of 2886 per year after
    [Show full text]
  • The History of Policing 97
    THE HISTORY 4 OF POLICING distribute or post, copy, not Do Copyright ©2015 by SAGE Publications, Inc. This work may not be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means without express written permission of the publisher. “The myth of the unchanging police “You never can tell what a man is able dominates much of our thinking about to do, but even though I recommend the American police. In both popular ten, and nine of them may disappoint discourse and academic scholarship one me and fail, the tenth one may surprise continually encounters references to the me. That percentage is good enough for ‘tradition-bound’ police who are resistant me, because it is in developing people to change. Nothing could be further from that we make real progress in our own the truth. The history of the American society.” police over the past one hundred years is —August Vollmer (n.d.) a story of drastic, if not radical change.” —Samuel Walker (1977) distribute INTRODUCTION: POLICING LEARNING OBJECTIVES or After finishing this chapter, you should be able to: AS A DYNAMIC ENTITY Policing as we know it today is relatively new. 4.1 Summarize the influence of early The notion of a professional uniformed police officer English policing on policing and the receiving specialized training on the law, weapon use, increasing professionalization of policing and self-defense is taken for granted. In fact, polic- in the United States over time. post,ing has evolved from a system in which officers ini- tially were appointed by friends, given no training, 4.2 Identify how the nature of policing in the provided power to arrest without warrants, engaged United States has changed over time.
    [Show full text]
  • Conference Reports of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
    )S?f n~&i~ —-. c Tttfr SIXTY=EIGHTH nnual Conference THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, leld in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, April 6th, 7th, 8th and 10th, 1898, with a Full Report of the Discourses. ;o an Account of the General Conference of the Deseret Sunday School Union. COPYRIGHTED 1898. ALL BIGHTS RESERVED. Df.seret News Publishing < ompany. 1898. GENERAL CONFERENCE THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. FIRST DAY. The Sixty-eighth annual Conference PRESIDENT WILFORD WOOD- of the Church of Jesus Christ of Lat- RUFF. ter-day Saints convened in the Taber- OPENING REMARKS. nacle, Salt Lake City, at 10 a. m. on I feel very thankful to have the Wednesday, April 6th, 1898, President privilege of meeting with so Wilford Woodruff presiding. many of the Latter-day Saints in this, our Of the general authorities present on Sixty-eighth Annual Conference of the the stand there were of the First Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Presidency—Wilford Woodruff, George Saints. I had my fears that I would Q. Cannon and Joseph P. Smith; of not be able to attend this Conference the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles— at all, as I have been quite unwell the Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, last month; but the last day or two Brigham Young, Francis M. Lyman, I have been blessed with better health. John Henry Smith, George Teasdale, It is a great satisfaction to me to have Heber J. Grant, John W. Taylor, Mar- this privilege. I am satisfied myself riner W.
    [Show full text]
  • Rentmeister Book Collection
    Rentmeister Book Collection Contents Utah 2 Geology; Land Use ..................................................................................... 2 History ........................................................................................................ 2 Miscellaneous ............................................................................................. 7 County, Local, and Regional Utah Histories, Guidebooks, etc. ................. 8 Native Americans 17 The West 22 General ...................................................................................................... 22 Arizona ..................................................................................................... 32 California .................................................................................................. 32 Idaho ......................................................................................................... 34 Montana .................................................................................................... 34 Nevada ...................................................................................................... 35 New Mexico ............................................................................................. 35 Wyoming .................................................................................................. 35 The West (Time-Life Books Series) ........................................................ 36 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 39 Bibliography ............................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Assigned Theme for This Lecture Is “How My Scholarship Informs
    TRUTH IS REASON Robert Worrell—Department of English he assigned theme for this lecture is “How My Scholarship Informs TMy Theology.” That appears to be an invitation to bypass some of the formalities of academic writing and use the first person. The phraseology also seems to indicate that scholarship, in general, may impart information and give character to my personal theology, but it does not imply that scholarship informs theology in general. I am comfortable with that. In fact, the subjects I learn and teach in my academic discipline Academic subjects have made me aware of a number of connections and patterns in the have made me scriptures that, without scholarly study, would have remained hidden from me. Perhaps that happens because I am a student of language, and aware of a number the scriptures are written in language, but I think such experiences are of connections and not limited to people in the English Department. Nevertheless, in my case, insights have come as a result of studying and teaching literature, patterns in the and also as a result of studying and teaching writing. scriptures. For this occasion, I will focus on just one of the areas I have learned as a student of language. That area of scholarship is formal logic.I nterestingly, I have been acquainted with some academicians who laud scholarship but avoid formal logic with the same care they take to avoid salmonella poisoning. The contention is that they can “sense” when an argument is right or wrong, and they do not need to be encumbered with all of the tools and paraphernalia.
    [Show full text]
  • Heber C. Kimball and Family, the Nauvoo Years
    BYU Studies Quarterly Volume 15 Issue 4 Article 7 10-1-1975 Heber C. Kimball and Family, The Nauvoo Years Stanley B. Kimball Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byusq Part of the Mormon Studies Commons, and the Religious Education Commons Recommended Citation Kimball, Stanley B. (1975) "Heber C. Kimball and Family, The Nauvoo Years," BYU Studies Quarterly: Vol. 15 : Iss. 4 , Article 7. Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byusq/vol15/iss4/7 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in BYU Studies Quarterly by an authorized editor of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Kimball: Heber C. Kimball and Family, The Nauvoo Years heber C kimball and family the nauvoo years stanley B kimball As one of the triumviritriumvirsof early mormon history heber C kimball led an adventuresome if not heroic life by the time he settled in nauvoo during may of 1839 he had been a black- smith and a potter had married and had five children two of whom had died he had lived in vermont new york ohio and missouri and had left or been driven out of homes in each state he had served fourteen years in a horse company of the new york militia had joined and left the close com- munion baptist church accepted mormonism had gone on four missions including one to england had become an apostle hadbad helped build the temple at kirtland had ded- icated the temple site at
    [Show full text]
  • Lehi Historic Archive File Categories Achievements of Lehi Citizens
    Lehi Historic Archive File Categories Achievements of Lehi Citizens Adobe­Lehi Plant Airplane Flights in Lehi Alex Christofferson­Champion Wrestler Alex Loveridge Home All About Food and Fuel/Sinclair Allred Park Alma Peterson Construction/Kent Peterson Alpine Fireplaces Alpine School Board­Thomas Powers Alpine School District Alpine Soil/Water Conservation District Alpine Stake Alpine Stake Tabernacle Alpine, Utah American Dream Labs American Football League­Dick Felt (Titans/Patriots) American Fork Canyon American Fork Canyon Flour Mill American Fork Canyon Mining District American Fork Canyon Power Plant American Fork Cooperative Institution American Fork Hospital American Fork, Utah American Fork, Utah­Mayors American Fork, Utah­Steel Days American Legion/Veterans American Legion/Veterans­Boys State American Patriotic League American Red Cross Ancient Order of United Workmen (AOUW) Ancient Utah Fossils and Rock Art Andrew Fjeld Animal Life of Utah Annie Oakley Antiquities Act Arcade Dance Hall Arches National Park Arctic Circle Ashley and Virlie Nelson Home (153 West 200 North) Assembly Hall Athenian Club Auctus Club Aunt Libby’s Dog Cemetery Austin Brothers Companies Author­Fred Hardy Author­John Rockwell, Historian Author­Kay Cox Author­Linda Bethers: Christmas Orange Author­Linda Jefferies­Poet Author­Reg Christensen Author­Richard Van Wagoner Auto Repair Shop­2005 North Railroad Street Azer Southwick Home 90 South Center B&K Auto Parts Bank of American Fork Bates Service Station Bathhouses in Utah Beal Meat Packing Plant Bear
    [Show full text]