Mormon History, Jul 1, 1845

Nauvoo Chief of Police and former Joseph Smith bodyguard Hosea Stout writes in his diary: "This day there was a grand concert for the police at the Masonic Hall; it commenced at ten o'clock. Myself and wife and L. [Lucretia] Fisher went. We had also the twelve and other authorities with us, and was also provided with as much beer, wine, the cakes and etc. as we could eat and drink." Apostle Parley P. Pratt, who had four wives at the time, writes to the MILLENIAL STAR warning English Mormons to "beware of seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils, as first introduced by John C. Bennett, under the name of 'spiritual wife' doctrine; and still agitated by the Pittsburg Seer, [Sidney Rigdon] and his followers under the same title." This is part of a pattern of false accusations against Sidney Rigdon who challenged the Apostles for leadership of the Church after Joseph's death. Rigdon had never advocated nor accepted polygamy.

[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]