Pres. Brigham Young was engaged in building his house. Parley P. Pratt was similarly engaged.
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Nov. 10, 1848, 1]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, 2006]
*********
Wednesday, February 20. At night Pres. Brigham Young, Parley P. Pratt, George A. Smith, Ezra T. Benson, Thomas Bullock and others attended a dance given by Dan Jones.
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Feb. 20, 1850, 1]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, 2006]
*********
Wednesday, December 18. At 6 p.m. Pres. Young, Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards, Parley P. Pratt and ladies met at John Van Cott’s residence and married Jonathan C. Wright. The brethren had a good supper and danced till about 10 p.m.
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Dec. 18, 1850, 1]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, 2006]
*********
The quorum of the Twelve Apostles met at the Council House at 8 o’clock, being 11 in number (the whole quorum except Orson Pratt, who was at Washington preaching the gospel). The quorum marched to Pres. Brigham Young’s and wished him “Happy New Year.” Pres. Young received them with joy and gladness and after the greetings were over, Pres. Young asked what he should treat them with. The sentiment was unanimous in the hearts of all the quorum and spoken by Pres. Orson Hyde, “Treat us with your blessings.” Then Pres. Young blessed the quorum of the Twelve and said they always had his blessings. And the Twelve Apostles felt and realized that the blessings of the Presidency of the Church and Kingdom of God was of far more worth and benefit to them, than any Earthly gift or the treasures of the earth; their hearts were full of joy and gladness which was unspeakable at the blessings of once more having the privilege of returning from the four corners of the Earth and beholding each other’s faces and sitting in council together and meeting with the president and his council and receiving blessings from their hands. The Twelve left their blessings with Pres. Young and his house. While the Twelve were paying their respects to President Young, the band was playing a lively tune in front of his house. The Governor saluted the two bands with a Happy New Year, and received in return some excellent music. The quorum then visited President Heber C. Kimball, and wished him a Happy New Year. He also receiving the Twelve with gladness and gave unto them his blessing, which was also highly prized. In his blessing unto them he said his faith and feelings were that no one of the present Quorum of Apostles should ever fall, and no power could ever take their crown and kingdom, but they should come forth in the morning of the first resurrection and be exalted to glory, immortality, and eternal lives, and their blessings should increase from this time henceforth and forever, and they should not want, but they should have means to support themselves and families. My feelings have ever been good towards this quorum and ever will be. The Twelve left their blessings upon President Kimball and household. And next visited Father John Smith, the aged Patriarch and wished him a Happy New Year, he manifested much joy and satisfaction in seeing eleven of the Twelve Apostles beneath his roof. This venerable Patriarch also bestowed upon the Twelve his blessing, and said they should live to see the kingdom of God and Zion established to be thrown down no more forever; and that none of them should ever fall but should have part in the first resurrection, no power should take their crown, but they should be blessed in all their labors in the earth, and that the blessings of God should increase upon them from this time forth both temporal and spiritual. The Apostles also left their blessings upon the Patriarch and his household. They next visited President Willard Richards, he also received them with gladness and an open heart; they wished him a Happy New Year. He also gave the Twelve his blessing, he believed this a beginning of an eventful year in the history of the Church and Kingdom on the earth; and he believed such succeeding year would be more and more so, until the coming of the Son of Man. He said the Twelve were ever before him in his thoughts, prayers, and blessings, notwithstanding they might be scattered to the four corners of the earth: they were men of God and were destined to perform a great and mighty work in the earth, and they should live till they were satisfied with life; they should see light and truth prevail over sin, tradition and error, and triumph in the earth.
The Twelve next went to the house of Elder P.P. Pratt and there united with his family in singing the return of the Twelve, and other songs of Zion. The spirit and power of God rested upon the quorum of the Twelve while their hearts were filled with praise and thanksgiving to God in all their visits on this the New Year of Eighteen hundred and fifty three.
The bands also continued their salutations to Presidents Kimball, Richards and Patriarch Smith, and many others in various parts of the city. And their enlivening music was everywhere received with open ears and hearts of joy. God bless the Bands.
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jan. 1, 1853, 1]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, 2006]
*********
House Warming
On Thursday evening, the 9th inst., the new and spacious mansion of br. David Wilkin, near Union Square, in this city, was opened to a festive party of his numerous friends….The entertainment was formally opened by the Governor; who, after singing, called upon Elder P.P. Pratt to lead in prayer, when the house was dedicated to God for the various purposes for which it was built; supplicating abundant blessings upon br. W. and his family….
[Deseret News, Feb. 16, 1854]
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Feb. 16, 1854, 1]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, 2006]
*********
Geo. A. Smith reported the scarcity of bread stuff existed in many families in the City and that in calling upon Parley P. Pratt’s family, he found that they had commenced to ration themselves at half a pound a day each.
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, June 15, 1855, 1]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, 2006]
*********
In the evening of this day Pres. Brigham Young gave a complimentary dinner to Dr. John M. Bernhisel at which Pres. Heber C. Kimball and Jedediah M. Grant, Elders Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, Geo. A. Smith and Ezra T. Benson and Brs. Edward Hunter and Lorenzo D. Young were present with their ladies. After the more substantial dishes the company partook of grapes and peaches from the President’s gardens with melons, wine, etc.
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Aug. 31, 1855, 1]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, 2006]
*********
The first public meeting of the Deseret Stake Horticultural Society was held this evening in the Social Hall, G.S.L. City, Wilford Woodruff presiding. Among those present were Elders Parley P. Pratt, Geo. A. Smith and Ezra T. Benson. The Nauvoo brass band in the capacity of a grand orchestra, attended and enlivened the assembly with music. Beautifully flavored peaches were distributed.
[Deseret News, 5:254]
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sept. 20, 1855, 1]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, 2006]
*********
Celebration of July Fourth
And Grand Military Review,
In Great Salt Lake City
…The Escort then moved south on East Temple street one block, thence east one block, and north one block to the Governor’s residence and formed in line, where the Governor, his Suite and other invited Guests, among whom were Hon. H.C. Kimball, Hon. Amasa Lyman, Col. Wilford Woodruff, Hon. P.P. Pratt, Hon. Edward Hunter, Hon. G.P. Stiles—Associate Justice of the U.S.S. Court, and Genl. D.H. Burr—U.S. Surveyor Genl. For Utah, were received by the Committee of Arrangements with firing of cannon and music by the bands, and took seats in carriages provided for the occasion. His Excellency rode in a barouche, drawn by a pair of milk white horses, driven by Mr. F. Little. The Escort resumed their places and moved in column to the Parade Ground….
[Deseret News, 6:140]
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, July 4, 1856, 1]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, 2006]