Liverpool.

All well.

Coldest day thus far this winter 32° above zero.

I went down town with Elders Hixson and Godfrie on their way to the boat for home. I obtained permit at Mr. Cooper’s office 578 Liver Bldg. to go to Belfast Ireland and at 81 Dale Street got booked out of town for tomorrow. At night attended the M.I.A. meeting. Wrote letters to My sisters Alice & Minerva and to my [p. 17] brother’s Stephen and Frederick.

Liverpool

I spent a busy day at my desk. Left for Belfast, Ireland on 10 P.M. boat. Arrived at Belfast next A.M. 8 o’clock.

Belfast.

Am well.

I slept on my bunk in my clothes with a blanket over my feet last night crossing the Irish Sea, calm sea. I was met at landing by Pres. Geo. Brooks Jr. and Elder Benjamin R. Birchall the latter from Dublin. We went to the Lodge where I had a shave &c Attended four meetings each of about 2 hours each. I spoke at all except at the officers meeting where I did not get an opportunity. At morning meeting the sacrament was administered and the 53rd Psalm, 1 Cor. 13: and the Word of Wisdom were recited each by a little girl. I spoke on the subject of love as suggested by the sacrament & 1 Cor. 13: Charity. At afternoon session I spoke of the fallacy of the belief that the bible is the only needed light for mans guidance and some Irish blood was made to boil. One called [p. 18] me a liar when I quoted 1 Pe 3:18 and interpreted it that the gospel was offered again to those who rejected it in the days of Noah.

At evening meeting I asked that if Joseph Smith be rejected because of his having had such an humble beginning then why not reject Enoch, Moses, John, Christ & his disciples. If we are to be rejected because we are persecuted they for the same reason may not the saints of the primative church & they were. “Not all have obeyed the Gospel for Esaias sayeth, Lord who hath believed our report.[”] Administered to several sick. Elder Birchall & I occupied the same bed at the Elder’s lodge.

Belfast.

All well.

I spent the forenoon in counsel with the brethren and at 2:45 Elder Birchall and I left for Dublin where we attended a previously appointed meeting at which there were 28 members and 26 non members. 13 people bore testimony and I occupied about 60 min with quiet spirit and intense interest. The Lord helped me.

After meeting Pres. Birchall and I went to supper with brother Charles [p. 19] Horlacher at 6 Tovoli Terrace East, Kingstown. I remained there for the night.

Kingston, Ire.

Am well.

I took bote at 8:45 A.M. for Holyhead thence train via Chester arriving in Liverpool at 3 P.M. and went direct to the Alien’s office. Here I spent about 1¾ hours going through the hands of alien officers, police officers and the Detective.

This day six Elders arrived from Zion. My son met them and assisted them with their registration and I later met them, assigned them to their fields of labor, issued letters of appointment, gave instructions &c. I retired at 1:30 o’clock.

Liverpool.

All well.

Letters from home. All well there. Four months today since I bid farewell to wife and children and started upon my mission. I have had varied experiences, much important work to do and have enjoyed my work. The Lord has heard the prayrs offered for me and answered same, praise be to his name for ever. [p. 20]

Much male having accumulated in my absence I proceeded to read and answer same.

I made a talk at the opening of the bazar of about 15 min. and spent most of the afternoon with the people, also a part of the evening. I wrote home to my wife and to my son Ray for Christmas.

Liverpool.

All well.

I worked at my desk all day.

In the evening, attended a bazar entertainment and wrote letters to Rega & Lucena & Geo & Nerva. A busy day with business and correspondence.

Liverpool.

All usually well.

I went with Elder Ririe and consulted Dr Mitchel who said Elder Ririe had no constitutional trouble but that his nervious system was upset by change of conditions from farm life to inactive condition, change of food, climate, cold & damp &c. A prescription was given and charge of 10-6.

I worked at my desk as usual. Wrote letters to LeGrand & Ina; Joel & Lucena; Clarence & Mamie, to Mama. [p. 21] I sent a parcel to Mama, value 6-0. Attended M.I.A. meeting.

Liverpool.

All well.

I worked at my desk all day. Wrote letters to my children at home.

Liverpool.

All well.

Fine day.

We made preparation to have a baptismal and people came from Blackburn and Wiggan to be baptized. The City mains broke about noon and the water was shut off from the house so we could not have the baptismal. There were in attendance at the evening services about 85 people. I was the only speaker and occupied 50 min with good liberty on the First principles.

In the morning I attended S.S. and at 3 P.M. attended meeting in Birkenhead across the Mersey river. I was the speaker and occupied 50 min. Subject. The mercy of our Father in Heaven, Eternal judgment, Everlasting punishment. Read from 1 Pe. 3:18 and from D&C 19; 76:50–89 Good liberty Touched upon the pre existance & the relationship we sustain to the Lord. [p. 22]

At the close of the evening meeting I blessed a boy about 4 yrs old and named him Arthur [blank]

My son George blessed his baby brother and named him Albert.

This has been a full day and I have been much blessed. May the Lord be praised forever.

Liverpool.

All well at Durham House

I worked at my desk all day, answering correspondence &c.

The Salt Lake papers came this day announcing the appointment Thu. Nov. 23rd of Elder Heber J. Grant as President of the Council of the Twelve succeeding Pres. Francis M. Lyman whose death occurred Friday Nov. 18th. I wrote Pres. Grant as follows:

Dear Brother:

News has just reached us through the Salt Lake papers of your appointment as the President of the Council of the Twelve. This I recognize as being perfectly right and in proper form order and I indorse the action with all my heart. I declare my loyalty to you, my President, and I thank the Lord that one so worthy and capable was in line to succeed to this important office. May the Lord bless [p. 23] you always with the spirit of your high calling as an Apostle and as President of His Chosen Twelve.

Affectionately & Sincerely,

Your brother,

Geo. F. Richards.

Liverpool.

All well.

I worked at my desk all day.

I wrote a letter to the brethren of my Council at Salt Lake Utah, to be read in their Quarterly Conference Meeting.

This day Germany declared in favor of peace. See News papers. I wonder if this step is the beginning of the end.

Liverpool.

All are well.

I wrote to my wife this day.

Worked at my desk and at evening attended weekly evening meeting. Elder Cottam was the speaker.

Liverpool.

All well.

Letters received from Mother and Sarah. I answered Sarah’s with a four paged letter. Worked at my desk all day. [p. 24]

In the evening I went out with Pres. Geo. Tofte visiting delinquents. I fear but little good was accomplished.

Liverpool.

All are well.

I worked at my desk all day and attended M.I.A. meeting in the evening.

I wrote a letter to my wife.

Liverpool

All well.

My son George & I took 10:30 A.M. train from Lime St. Station for Pontypool Road 144 miles South & in the Bristol Conference. Here we were met by President Peter E. Johnson and we accompanyed him two miles to Pontypool where we registered with the Police and then went on perhaps four or five miles to Varteg wher most of our saints in that region reside.

We took supper with the President of the Pontypool Branch Richard C. Thomas. We went on to the home of Albert Biggs where we staid while in Varteg. My son and I occupied the same bed.

We administered to a young man named Jones. [p. 25]

Varteg, Pontypool, Mon

Am well.

We held Sunday School and evening meeting at Albert Bigg’s home and afternoon meeting in one of the neighbor’s homes.

I spoke at each of these meetings. Pres Johnson & my son each spoke twice. Subjects I discussed are 1. Honor Father Mother. 2nd Our responsibility. Missionary work &c We should want to believe the Gospel becose of the beautiful truths it teaches What? Salvation for all in some degree & Little Children have eternal life. Eternity of the Marriage Covenant &c.

We sustained and set apart four lady missionaries.

Varteg. Mon.

All well.

It took my son & me practically all day to get home. A belated train. In the evening administered to Sister Smith’s babe.

Liverpool

All well

When I arose this morning the ground was white with snow, perhaps an inch in depth.

I worked at my desk all day. [p. 26]

A letter from my daughter Ruby of Dec. 3rd I answered same.

Liverpool.

All well.

Snow on the ground.

I worked at my desk all day and attended meeting in the evening. A letter received from Mother.

All well.

Cold weather.

Letters from my daughter Lucena and my sister Nerva. I answered the letter from Lucena and wrote to Mother an eight paged letter.

I worked at my desk all day & evening. Read some papers from Utah. I extended invitations to Elders Peter M Condie, & Wm D McAllister of the Liverpool Conference and Elders Eben J Robinson and Jos. S. Nelson of Leeds conference to spend the week-end including Christmas with us at Durham House.

Liverpool.

All well.

I spent the day at my desk as usual. Our habit is to arise at 7 A.M. and breakfast at 8 A.M. so that we get in a full day by bed time and most of the time day time and evening is spent on [p. 27] the consideration of correspondence and answering letters, considering the reports &c.

Liverpool.

All well.

I worked all day and until nearly eleven P.M. at my desk.

Liverpool.

All well.

I attended S.S. prayr meeting and S. School proper and took part.

I studied gospel subjects between morning and afternoon evening meetings and at the evening meeting I was one of the speakers & occupied 45 min on the Life of Joseph Smith Elder Jno. E. Cottam spoke first on the life of Christ. Yesterday was the anniversary of the life of Jos. Smith and tomorrow will be Christmas the day we celebrate as the anniversary of the birth of the Savior.

I wrote a four paged letter to my wife litter Size, before retiring.

Liverpool.

All well

Christmas

I spent the forenoon at home. Had turky dinner at Noon. After dinner my son George & I went down town and walked through some of the districts [p. 28] where the poor live and distributed about six doz. small oranges and several doz. penny pkgs. of sweets, one to a child as we felt they were deserving, judging from their appearance.

I spent the evening at home with Elders Sjodahl, Cottam, my son & his family. We read aloud two of Elder Sjodahl’s stories which appeared in the Star of last year.

Four months ago to-day we landed in Liverpool.

Liverpool.

All well.

Six Elders arrived in Liverpool from Zion this morning. I spent the day and evening at home most of it spent with the Elders, giving instructions, making appointments visiting, making record &c.

Children’s entertainment in the afternoon and some of our branch members came in during the evening and, we had a nice evening with the newly arrived elders.

Liverpool.

All well.

We saw the Six Elders who arrived yesterday, off to their ap[p. 29]pointed fields of labor.

I spent the day in my office as usual and attended the regular Wednesday evening meeting and my son George & I occupied the time.

Liverpool.

All well.

Letters from home, from Sarah & Ruby, Nina & Oliver. These I answered. Worked at my desk all day and evening.

Liverpool.

All well.

A number of letters from home from Mother & Lucena written on Dec. 9th at Logan, Letters from, Nerva, LeGrand, Joel &c.

I wrote to my wife, to H. M. S., to LeGrand & to Joel. also to Lillian Cannon

Liverpool.

All well.

I wrote to my daughter Nerva. Worked at my desk all day and the evening except that my son and I took a walk down South as far as the Ry. station Wavertree. [p. 30]

Liverpool.

All well.

I attended S. School and evening meeting and took part in the exercises. Studied at my desk between times, scriptural subjects.

This is the last day of the last month of the year 1916.

This year brought to me important changes. My son LeGrand and family arrived home from their mission where LeGrand presided over the Netherland mission This was his second mission.

I received the appointment to England in June and left for my mission Aug 6th to preside over the European Mission. I was accompanied by my son George and his wife and two children who also were called on missions to England. We arrived in Liverpool Aug. 25th Elder Hyrum M. Smith my predecessor left Liverpool Sept 1st since when I have had the presidency of the European and British missions.

I feel greatly honored in being entrusted with such great responsibility and I believe the Lord has magnified and sustained me in my calling thus far. I praise and give all honor to Him. [p. 31]