<1916.>¹

Home.

All well.

Cold day

I wrote a five paged letter to my son in Holland and to his family. Spent the forenoon at home reading, writing &c. Spent the afternoon with my folks at the home of my son & daughter Joel & Georgina and took dinner and spent the day evening with them.

Home.

All well.

Thawing.

Alice & I attended Temple Fast meeting from 10:00 A. M. to 1:00 P.M. Pres. Jos F. Smith was the concluding speaker and occupied about an hour’s time. He referred to his age saying that he was getting old and the tears are nearer the surface. Hoped that he should live to see all his children in a way to be provided for. I think I never heard him say at any other time that he was getting old. I hope he has had no premonitions of an approaching change.

I attended my ward fast meeting and bore testimony. Attended evening meeting in the 27th ward at which my son Joel was the speaker and occupied [p. 5] about 55 min. Subject, “The Home.[”] A good talk.

A brother Eby and I administered to a 7 mo. old baby girl of our neighbor Hansen across the street. Geo & Joel & their families called at our home and spent about an hour after evening meeting.

Home,

All well

Thawing.

I called at the home of [blank] Hansen on P. St and administered to their 7 mo. old baby Virginia Delphia Hansen to whom we administered last night. The father assisted me.

I met at the temple at noon my son Joel & wife, Stephen L. Richards & wife and Willard R. Smith & wife & we sealed up fifty-five couples furnishing all the proxies & witnesses. I performed the ceremonies.

Received important letters from Pres. E. J. Wood of Cardston Canada enclosing duplicate copy of Crop contract with Stephen Tagg of Ellwood for $715.00 for my equity in 80 A land.

I delivered to my son George certificates of stock in Oregon Portland Cement Co in favor of my son LeGrand 10 shares Preferred & 5 shares Common. [p. 6]

Obtained from the Temple some finished sheets and reconciled same. Did work at my desk in evening. I accompanied my daughter Ruby to the S.L. & O. Ry station and saw her off on 6:00 P.M. train for Logan to continue her studies in the A.C. Mamie spent the evening with us and we played a few games of Checkers, Croconole &c.

Home.

All well.

Weather mild.

I attended quarterly meetings of the Twelve from 10:00 A.M. to about 4:00 P.M. with an hours intermission for lunch.

Received letter from Rega & Lucena at Logan.

In the evening Mother & I and George & Edith went to the Empress theatre and saw “Blindness of virtue.”

Home.

All well

Mild weather

Some snow fell at night.

I went through the temple and was endowed for Johannas Wilson in forenoon. I solemnized the marriage of Edgar Ray Miller and Genevieve Welling in the [p. 7] temple. Also sealed some for the dead.

Attended Gen Bd. meetings of R. classes and Y.M.M.I.A. also my Circle meeting, and later held family home evening meeting. A busy day.

This day I did my first sealing of children to parents, i.e. the first time I have performed the ceremony of that kind.

Home.

All well.

Snowed last night.

Fasted and attended quarterly fast meeting of the Presidency, the Twelve & the Patriarch in the temple from 10 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.

I spent the afternoon & evening working on temple sheets, &c & have 18 sheets of sealings children to parents, 128 children to parents, listed proxies, witnesses &c. Arranged with fourteen of our people to go to the temple next Monday with me to have this sealing done.

Home.

All well.

Alice and I took the 7:30 A.M. train for Tooele arriving there between [p. 8] 9 & 10 o’clock Ray with us. We stayed at our daughter Nerva’s. Sent word to Estella Lee my sister-in-law and she came down and spent the afternoon & evening, her husband came after her about 10 P.M. and we spent the time pleasantly.

Tooele.

All well.

Spent the forenoon at Nerva’s & the afternoon & evening at Estella’s A very pleasant day’s visit. The wind commenced to blow in the early evening. The lights went out and we went home to Nerva’s in a very heavy south wind. That night the wind ceased and it snowed all the forenoon. I attended Sunday School and meeting in the South ward Sunday.

Tooele.

All well.

Snowing.

I attended S. School in the South ward and spoke to the school on the subject of S.S. work as missionary work. Attended Sacrament meeting and occupied 50 minutes on Church organization. Alice & I took 4:35 P.M. train [p. 9] home. Geo. & Joel & families called in & took supper with us.

Home.

All well.

Winter weather.

I arose at 6:15 A.M. Made fire in the furnace, took out the ashes to front, cut up kindling, shoveled snow, making paths, shaved, bathed &c before breakfast.

Wrote up my journal for three days, gave attention to my mail &c. Fifteen of our family folk went to the Temple by appointment and sealed 128 children to parents I performed the ceremonies. Preston D. & Willard Richards were the witnesses, and the following were proxies. Louise Stayner Richards, Louie Snelgrove Richards, Minerva E. R. Knowlton, Stayner Richards, A. Z. Richards, Alice A. Richards, Stephen L. Richards & wife. Joel Richards & wife, Willard R. Smith & wife.

Aunt Louise came home with us to supper.

I made paths, wrote letters to LeGrand in Holland & to Rega & Lucena in Logan also to Ruby enclosed with Rega’s & Lucena’s. A profitable day. We now have the sealing done as [p. 10] far as endowments are done for males. I this day engaged L. H. Kennard to do endowment work for us.

Home.

All well.

Stormy day.

I worked at my desk in the forenoon and went with Alice to my daughter Mamie’s to dinner.

I assisted in setting apart and instructing a large company of missionaries to the States fifty-five or sixty and in giving them instructions. I occupied 20 min with good freedom. I sent apart the following;

1. Margaret May Earl of Mt View, Canada to N.S.

2. Raymond Nixon Peck of Baker, Ore to N.S.

3. Lorenzo J. Rommell of Sugar City, Ida to N.S.

4. Wm And. Jones of North Ogden to S. States

5. Henry Moroni Zollinger of Providence Ut to C.S.

6. Alma Jordan Palmer of Taylor, Ariz to S.S.

7. Milton Edwin Johnson of Moab Ut to C.S.

8. Eli F. Ingelstrom of Pocatello, to N.S.

The last named I set apart at the Pres.’ office assisted by his bishop father

At the temple annex Brother Rainsayer assisted me in administering to a Sister Anna Franze who was approaching maternity. She had come for the purpose of being anointed by the Sisters. [p. 11] after we had administered to her she told brother Young that she was perfectly satisfied she had such a good blessing. Recorded temple work.

Home.

All usually well.

Cold weather.

I spent the forenoon at my desk. Attended a missionary meeting at 2:00 P.M. at temple Annex where we set apart twelve or fifteen missionaries and gave them instructions. I set apart Wm Franklin Atkin of Tooele and Florence Irene Cook of Garden City, Ut. to New Zealand.

Attended to some business at the Presidents office. Attended Conjoint M.I.A. Bd. Meeting at 5:00 P.M.; my Circle at 6:30 and Ensign Stake Priesthood meeting at 7:30 P.M.

Home.

All well.

Weather somewhat moderated. Good sleighing.

Attended regular weekly Council meeting of the Presidency, the Twelve and the Patriarch in the temple from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.

Attended to some business down town. Called at Genealogical Society office & enquired about Richards and Dewy record of endowments. [p. 12]

This record has been lost since my father’s death. I this day called over the phone Emma Perks Grover who’s father did scribe work for my father and who died about the time of my father’s death. Emma says her father left a number of books & records and that she will next Sunday make a search for our lost record of Endowments for the Richards & Dewy’s. I feel very hopeful that this is the right clew.

I received the appointment with Pres. R. S. Wells to Woodruff for Jan 22nd and 23rd. I leave tonight with Pres. B. H. Roberts for Albion, Idaho via Burley.

Elder B. H. Roberts & I left Salt Lake on 11:55 P.M. train and arrived at Burley Idaho at about 11:00 A.M. to-day. We were met by Pres. J. A. Eliason and a closed auto and driven to Albion sixteen miles East from Burley. The owner & driver of the car is a Mr Perrin. The weather was very cold but we went in comfort, arriving in Albion about noon. We were taken to the home of former bishop Thomas E. Harper where we were nicely cared for. [p. 13]

At 7:00 P.M. we attended a meeting of local missionaries eighteen of them who have been laboring in the stake for a couple of weeks. Heard their reports & gave instruction.

Albion, Ida.

Cold weather, some snow & ice.

Attended 10:00 A.M. meeting at which the attendance was 202 or 10% of the population of the Stake which is 2000. The meetings held in Social hall rested by the people. I was one of the speakers and occupied about 35 minutes. Subj. The benefits of Stake division made three months ago &c. At 2:00 P.M. meeting Pres. B. H. Roberts spoke occupying an hour, 20 min. Attendance 269.

Attended a Religion Class meeting from 4:15 to 5:30 and gave instructions, 27 present.

At 7:00 P.M. attended Conjoint M.I.A. meeting and occupied 35 min on the subject of Character. A defined, by The power of thought in its formation.

Albion, Idaho.

17° below zero.

Attended forenoon and afternoon meetings of conference and was the concluding speaker at afternoon session. A number of nonmembers [p. 14] present including the Reverend Mr. Wallace and two State Normal Profs. I occupied 25 mins on Witnesses to the B. of Mormon & to the Gospel.

At 12:30 o’clock I met with the bishops and I ordained the bishopric of Malta ward Raft River Stake as fol.

Aaron Arthur Zollinger ord. H.P. & Bp & set apt

Joseph Rasmussen ord. H.P. & set apt 1st Counselor.

Isaac James Neddow set apt 2nd counselor.

Leaving Albion at 5:00 P.M. by same conveyance that took us over there we returned to Burley the Pres. & his Counselor Harker accompanied us. We went to the National Hotel & got supper by courtesy & at the expense of Bp. Picket of Oakley at present Assessor who is staying at the hotel. We remained in his room with him until train time & he accompanied us to the Ry Station. The other brethren returned to Albion after supper. We got train at 8:28 P.M. and in comfort returned home. Sund. 10 A.M. 355 Sund. 2:00 P.M. 406 20%

Arrived in Salt Lake from Albion Idaho at 10:05 A.M. train late. When I reached home I found the house locked up & Alice & Ray gone to Farmington. I proceeded to get some breakfast and then do my writing [p. 15] letters from Ruby & Lucena. Spent the day at my desk.

Home.

Snowed some.

All well.

I attended a meeting of the C. School apportionment committee from 10:00 A.M. to about 1:30 P.M. Spent the afternoon & evening at home. I wrote a lengthy letter to my son LeGrand in Holland enclosed a dollar bill to the children. I wrote to my daughter’s Nerva in Tooele & Ruby in Logan. Retired at 11:00 P.M.

Home.

Thawing.

All well.

Attended Committee meeting of apportionment committee from 10:00 A.M. to about 1:30 P.M.

Received letter from LeGrand in Holland written Christmas day. He had received no word since Thanksgivings day letters. I wrote to my niece Nannie Ashcroft at Fielding, Utah and enclosed to her my check for $5.00 payable Feb 1st as a gift. Attended Y.M.M.I. Gen. Board meeting at 5:00 P.M. & Circle at 6:30 P.M. Wrote up my journal &c. [p. 16] I read to mother a story from the Era in the evening.

Home.

All well.

Mild day.

I attended weekly Council meeting from 10:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M.

Made small deposit and made a number of small cks. in payment of bills & mailed out. Worked at my desk &c.

At Circle meeting last evening a letter from the First Presidency was read to the Circle members in which they and all new members are instructed to procure recommends from their bishops and presidents of stakes stating that they are for admission to Circle. These should be filed with the secretary of the Circle and when for any cause a member is dropped his recommend is to be destroyed.

At this meeting Arthur Winter who has been our clerk was released from membership on his request he having been called to be an Alt member of the High Council of Ensign Stake and will be expected to meet with their Circle & did not feel to meet with both. [p. 17] Bishop John Lyon was appointed clerk of the Circle. I as president nominated him and he was unanimously sustained by the twenty members present. By motion of Thos. Hull I was asked to express to my son LeGrand who is a member of the Circle & on a mission to the Netherlands presiding the love of the Circle members.

In the evening I took Mama & three children, to the Liberty theatre & saw the “Battle Cry of Peace.” A strong picture show of 2 hrs 15 min duration showing the horrors of war and the necessity for preparedness.

Home.

All usually well.

Moderated weather.

At call of Pres. Lyman I went down town and attended to some business at his office. Made ready and left Salt Lake for Evanston, Wyo. On 15:15 P.M. train in company with Pres. R. S. Wells. We arrived at or soon after 10:00 P.M. We went to the Evanston Hotel and the two of us occupied Room 42, two beds.

Evanston.

Am well.

Weather moderated.

Attended Woodruff Stake Conference [p. 18] meeting at 10:00 A.M. the attendance 26. I was one of the speakers & occupied 35 minutes. Subject “fast offerings.” Read Luke 16:9-19 – end. Statistics. What they show. Loyal as individuals, as wards, as stakes &c. At 2 P.M. attendance 94. I occupied 20 minutes. Subj. Faith & repentance. At 7:30 Priesthood meeting I occupied 25 min. Mission work in various forms, abroad, at home, officially & individually, example & precept. Moved from hotel to Pres. Jas Brown.

<Administered to Charles Mill who was suffering from Appendicitis.>²

Evanston.

Am well & happy.

Attended 10:00 A.M. meeting and occupied about 40 minutes. Subject. Sacrament & Atonement. Love of God & Christ. Good liberty. Attendance 400. At 12:15 attended a meeting of the High Council.

At 2:00 P.M. attendance 329

I occupied 25 minutes. The Higher Law of the Gospels. Good liberty. At 4:15 to 5:40 was in a meeting of the Bishops & Stake Presidency. At 7:30 Large attendance, I occupied about 35 minutes. Subject. Eternity of the Marriage Covenant. A strenuous two days.

I this day attended to the fol[p. 19]lowing ordinations & settings apart, assisted by the Stake Presidency.

David Dean set apart to H. Council

Charles Cook ordained an Elder.

Albert W. Whipple, set apt Pres. 2nd [illegible] Ass. Eld.

Frank Brown set apart 1st Counselor

John T. Whittle set apart Clerk of the High Priests Quorum.

Left Evanston on 4:05 A.M. train arriving in Salt Lake at 8:45 A.M.

Attended a meeting of the Committee on Church School Apportionments in forenoon and afternoon. Wrote up my journal & other records. Received from Logan temple a sheet of 20 names of females endowed. I wrote the recorder and sent to him six full sheets 120 names more.

Home.

All well.

Thawing.

Attended two sessions of an investigation in the case of G. F. Hickman and Miss Alberta Wolf. Did work at my desk &c.

Home

All usually well.

Snowed last night 5 in. [p. 20]

I worked at my desk most of the day. Attended Gen Bd. Meeting of Y.M.M. and my Circle meeting.

Home.

All well.

Some snow & wind.

Attended weekly Council meeting from 10:00 A.M. to 2:40 P.M.

I met Alice & my Sister Nerva at the Empress and saw “The Woman.” A good play by good players. I received the appointment to Millard Stake with Pres. Roberts for Feb 5 & 6. I wrote my son LeGrand.

Home.

Stormy day.

All well.

Train & Street Car traffic impaired. I met Henry Robinson, Annie Steed & her son Frank down town and consulted with them in regard to a proposed life insurance settlement with “Beneficial Life.”

I spent the remainder of the day at home, reading, writing &c. I wrote a number of letters.

At night I dreamed that I was preaching at what seemed to be a General Conference meeting and when I awoke I was impressed with the thoughts I was expressing The thought was as near as I [p. 21] can remember, that while we are so fortunate as to have all the standard Church works, the Spirit is of greater value to us. I can not recall the clearness of the impression as I felt it then. “The letter killeth and the spirit giveth life.”

Home.

Snowed during the night.

I made paths by shoveling snow. We arranged to take 2:25 P.M. O.S.L. train to Logan. I read from the Improvement Era &c. Took train as arranged and arrived in Logan at 6:00 P.M. and went directly to my daughter Lucena’s. Spent a pleasant evening.

Logan.

All well.

Cold day.

Much snow on the ground.

I attended a Stake Sunday School Convention meeting at 9:00 A.M. Present of S.S.U. Gen Bd. members Bros. Pyper, Felt, Reynolds, Bennion & [blank] Attended the 10:30 A.M. session in Nibley Hall and offered to opening prayer and when they separated to departments I went with the Superintendents and by re[p. 22]quest addressed them. I attended 2:00 P.M. meeting of the Convention held in the Stake tabernacle where there were assembled about 1500 people and by request was one of the speakers occupying about 15 min. on the mission of the S. Schools in the Saving of Soules. Attended public meeting in the evening, estimated 1800 in attendance. I was one of the speakers and occupied about 35 min. Subject Faith a necessity but not all sufficient. What else is necessary, Faith, Repentance, baptism, Laying on hands & add there to virtue, patience, temperance &c. I bore my testimony.

I called on Pres. Serge F. Bally after the afternoon meeting he not having been out to the meetings. It was reported that he was ill. He came out to evening meeting. It was a bilious spell he had.

Logan.

All well.

Cold still.

Alice, Lucena & I went up to the Temple and brother Scholes the recorder showed us through and indicated the improvements recently made. [p. 23]

I took 12:10 car to Hyde Park where I attended a double funeral service in the ward meeting house of Absalom Wolf, aged 29 years who leaves a wife and one child, a boy about one yr. old. The other is Marvin R. Daynes unmarried, 21 yrs of age. These two were buried in a snow drift on Thur 27th inst about three miles from Hyde Park. I occupied abt. 45 minutes on subject of Pre-existence and present condition of the departed and the course to glory & exaltation. I had good liberty, good attention and a number of people expressed their satisfaction after. May the Lord be praised.

Alice, Ruby & I took supper with my brother Fred & family in their new home and spent about 3 hours with them.