Liverpool.

All usually well.

Somewhat milder. [p. 42]

I made a trip down town to have my tooth smoothed up. Was busy at my desk remainder of the day & evening. While down town I bought three large volumes of Bible dictionary by Smith for 10/6

Received letters from Mama & Nina & answered same. Dates Jan 14. & 15.

This day Germany’s radical and desperate methods of Submarine warfare goes into effect, the announcement of which was made yesterday to the U. States and published in the English papers to-day.

Liverpool.

All well except Elder J. M. Sjodahl. He retains his bed to day. Influenza the supposed cause. We administered him.

The papers have comments on Germany’s attitude in regard to the war and Neutral countries are greatly wrought up. Germany gave only eight hours notice to the United States of her intended vigorous submarine warfare on all kinds of ships sinking them without notice. Gt Britain notifies Pres. Wilson that if Germany carries out her threats Gt Britain and her allies will re[p. 43]sort to reprisals. The U.S. has given notice that no passports will be given to people desiring to go to Europe. A German ship was sunk in an American harbor by her crew to avoid her being taken possession of by the U.S. Government. Other German Ships in N.Y. harbor are closely guarded for fear of other such work. What the next move will be on the part of the U.S. and other Neutral nations is a matter of wondering.

I worked at my desk all day Received letters from My wife <Dated Jan 9th>, & my son Ray and answered same. Received a letter from my sister Nerva of Jan 12th Answered a letter received some few days ago from LeGrand.

Attended Mutual meeting in the evening.

I Just as we were about to commence M.I.A. meeting Elders. Mason & Danielson came in and reported that the police had called upon them and informed the Elders that a mob was being formed to do them bodily harm and that the police force was so depleted on account of the war that the police could [p. 44] not give the Elders adequate protection and advised that they leave Birkenhead at once. The Elders packed their trunks and came out. It is thought that certain news paper articles recently appearing in the papers have had the effect of inciting the public mind with a spirit of mob violence. The Manchester Umpire has articles the last two Sunday in it against the L.D.S. “Mormons”. Elder J. M. Sjodahl prepared a reply and the editor has promised to publish a part of it the next Sunday’s issue. The first of these articles was from the pen of “Winnifred Graham” a poetess.

We have answered an article which appeared in a Glasgow paper. These answers will appear in the Star.

I retired near mid night.

Liverpool.

Elder Sjodahl is up again.

About five hour’s sleep last night. Worked at my desk all day.

I have week end appointments ahead every week for four months. The news papers announce that diplomatic relations are severed between U.S. and Germany. [p. 45]

Liverpool.

All usually well.

This is a real winter day. The snow is about three inches deep and the trees covered. It is good sleighing in Liverpool.

I attended S. School in Liverpool from 11 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. My son George walked with me down to the Exchange Ry Station and I took train to Barnley about 50 mi. north at 1:22 P.M. I was met at Blackburn by Pres. P. M. Condie and we continued on. We detrained at Rose Grove and took tea with Branch President Owens and family and administered to two of their little girls who are both afflicted with bone disease, trouble of the limbs.

We took train car on to Barnley perhaps three miles and attended meetings. I addressed a meeting of the Local Priesthood and Lady Missionaries for perhapse 20 minutes and the Sacramental meeting of perhapse 60 people for about 60 minutes. Subject, Duties of Saints and their duties to their Children, the force of their own example upon their children and their children’s children for generations. Order in the church &c [p. 46]

Pres. Condie made his farewell address as he is soon to go to the New Castle Conference to preside. Returning I made two changes and arrived in Liverpool soon after 10 P.M. Had supper and a good visit with Geo. and Edith until nearly 12 o’clock. I had a good day but the ride was cold and unpleasant.

Liverpool.

All well.

Good sleighing. Cold but clear much like Utah weather this morning.

I worked at my desk all day and in the evening I attended the Reliefsociety meeting and told the Story of the boy who kept out Wellington. I set apart sister Gardner as First Counselor to Sister Wray in the Presidency of the Liverpool branch Reliefsociety.

Liverpool.

All well.

Cold clear day. Snow on ground and trees.

I wrote a four paged letter to my wife in America. Worked at my desk all day and evening. Examined and signed annual Mission reports, Reliefso [p. 47]ciety reports and had them mailed to the Presiding Bishop’s Office, Salt Lake City.

Later, I wrote to Geo. L. & Nerva and to Rega & Lucena.

Liverpool.

All well.

Cold weather.

The papers say it is the coldest the country has seen this century.

The Des. News of Thu. Jan. 18, 1917 received today states that Stephen L. Richards Jr. having been selected to fill the vacancy in the Council of the Twelve Apostles occasioned by the death of Pres Francis M. Lyman, was ordained the above date by Pres. Joseph F. Smith This was most likely done at the regular weekly meeting of the Presidency and the Twelve held in the temple. This appointment is a splendid recognition of Stephen’s ability and devotion to the work of the Lord and will no doubt meet with the hearty approval of the Saints who know him, as it meets with mine.

I spent the day at my desk and in the evening I occupied the time about 50 min. Subject. Parents’ duty to their children. [p. 48]

Liverpool.

All well.

Weather Moderating

I worked in my office all day. Received a letter from my wife bearing good news of good health and I answered same in the evening. I was under the painful necessity of asking Sister C. . . . to keep out of our kitchen and larder when not invited.

Liverpool

All usually well

I spent the day in my office as usual and in the evening attended M.I.A. meeting.

Liverpool.

All well.

Cold weather continues. I walked down town and got booked out for Sheffield for tomorrow. I am to go to Doncaster to meetings and back to Sheffield for night. Worked at my desk as usual.

Liverpool.

All well. Weather moderated

I took train for Doncaster in the Sheffield Conference 10:40 A.M. Arrived in Doncaster at 2:40. Met Pres. John Holmes at Sheffield and [p. 49] he accompanied me to Doncaster. On the train between Sheffield & Doncaster seven young lady actors (troupe) were in same compartment. One of them asked Pres. Holmes if he were not a Mormon Elder. When he answered in the affirmative she said she also was one and lived in Nottingham Conference. Her name was Richards.

The meeting was in session when we reached Doncaster and Elder Burton was speaking, later Pres. Holmes and I each talked. I occupied about 30 min.

Pres. Holmes & I took tea with Sister Elks and her daughter.

At evening each of us four elders spoke. I occupied about 45 min on Gospel restoration, Mormonism defined and vicarious work.

After meeting we four elders returned to Sheffield 18 miles & I stayed with them at 120 Burngreave road.

Sheffield to Liverpool.

Am well

Mild day.

I left Sheffield on 10:54 train Arriving in Liverpool 1:15 P.M. Spent the remaining time day and evening at my desk. [p. 50]

Liverpool.

All well.

My son George & I walked down town and went to the U.S. Consulate and had our passports extended. I had my eyes tested and the optician said my glasses are all right but that I did not commence to wear glasses early enough and as a result my right eye is not so good as my left and no glasses can make it so. We attended to several items of business and walked home.

A sister Parker and her boy came from Hull Conference and staid with us overnight.

This evening I wrote to my wife.

Liverpool.

All usually well.

I worked at my desk all day and in the evening attended regular services and offered the opening prayr. After meeting I visited with the saints for about one hour.

Liverpool.

All well.

Milder weather.

I never left the house all day but worked at my desk day and evening. [p. 51]

Liverpool.

All usually well

I went down town and got booked out of Liverpool to Edinburgh for tomorrow. The rest of the day I spent at my desk. In the evening I attended the M.I.A. evening meeting

Liverpool.

All well.

I left Liverpool on 9:42 A.M. train from Exchange Station and arrived in Edinburgh at 5 P.M. 30 minutes late. I was met at the Ry Station by Pres. Geo. Simpkins of the Scottish conference who accompanied me to the Alien’s office where I registered in. We then went to the home of John Richardson and took supper and after supper went to a meeting at the home of the branch president S B Ferguson. There were about fifteen in attendance. I was one of the speakers and occupied about 50 minutes with good liberty on the personal responsibility of church membership, duties & the joy of having a clear conscience &c.

Pres. Simpkins and I occupied the same bed at Bro. John Richardsons.

Edinburgh [p. 52]

Pres. Simpkins and I took train to Glasgow at 10 A.M. Attended a meeting of the Lesser Priesthood and Lady missionaries at 12:30 I occupied about 50 minutes giving instructions pertaining to the duties of these officers and encouraging them in their work. At 2 P.M. a sacramental meeting was held and the attendance was about 65. I was one of the speakers and occupied about an hour. Subject. The Apostasy. There could be no restoration if there had been no apostasy. I attempted to clear away the debris and make a place for the gospel restoration and made brief reference to restoration. Some strangers present

At 6:30 P.M. meeting there were about 75 in attendance. I was the last speaker. I read from p. 15 P. of G. Price and quoted Art. 12 of our faith as text and spoke of the exercise of agency by individuals & their responsibility also the responsibility of men in high places &c. Good liberty. I took supper and staid the night with James Hood family. A good day.

Glasgow.

Am well. [p. 53]

Left Glasgow on 10 A.M. train & arrived in Liverpool after 5 P.M. A long tiring journey. I wrote up my journal from memory for the past few days, and did other desk work. Retired at 11 P.M.

Liverpool.

All well.

Cold wet day.

I worked in doors all day and in the evening. Wrote a letter to my wife and one to my son Joel, four pages each. Retired at 11:45 P.M.

Liverpool.

All well at Durham House.

I made a trip down town and got some papers acknowledged. In the evening I attended the regular Wed. evening meeting and was the speaker. Occupied 50 minutes, Subject text, Dan. 2: and establishment of the Kingdom of God. Visited with the saints after the meeting.

Liverpool.

I took a severe cold this day.

Worked at my desk all day & bathed and retired early. [p. 54]

Liverpool.

I have contracted a cold.

I worked at my desk all day & evening. Wrote to my wife and family a family letter. No mail has been received from home for about two weeks or longer.

This is the 56th anniversary of the day of my birth. Thanks be to the Lord that I am permitted to live thus long upon the earth and to labor as a missionary in this land. May He grant me wisdom, inspiration and every other qualification necessary, that I may make a success of my mission.

Liverpool.

My cold holds on but does not make me sick, nor does it disable me for work. I worked at my desk all day and evening as usual.

Liverpool.

I attended the opening exercises of the Liverpool S. School and left accompanied by my son Geo. about 11:40 A.M. We walked to the Exchange Ry Station a 45 minute’s walk, where we took train he for [p. 55] Wigan and I for Manchester. He was met at Wigan by Branch president, Bro. Riccard. I was met at Manchester by Pres. Israel C. Barlow & Elder Cluff and with them went on tram cars to Oldham where three meetings were held one at 3:00 P.M. A meeting of local priesthood and lady missionaries at 5: P.M. and a public meeting at 6:30. tea served between. I spoke at all these meetings. At 3 P.M. meeting I occupied about 50 minutes. Hold on to the iron rod of truth. The fate of the apostate.

At evening meeting I occupied 35 minutes. Subject. “No necessity for changing or dispensing with any of the gospel principles or ordinances in order to be consistent. The gospel is thoroughly consistent, but by the world not understood. Returning to Liverpool the train was delayed and we reached Liverpool at 11:50 P.M. We walked home from Exchange station in 45 minutes.

Letters from home.

Liverpool.

My cold is still on.

I had but about 5 hours sleep last night. Attended to im[p. 56]portant work this day. Transferred three elders, cabled the First Presidency and wrote a number of letters.

A letter from home dated Feb 4th.

The cable message was to inform Pres. Jos. F. Smith of the Serious illness of Elder Wilford O. Freckleton at Hull.

Liverpool.

I am somewhat better of my cold but have a touch of Rheumatism just developing since Sunday. I think it is due to over walking and the rain and dampness. I walked to and from the Exchange Ry. Station Sunday and quite a distance in Manchester in the rain.

This day I received word by wire from Pres. Wm. D. Lewis of the death of Elder Wilford O. Freckleton at Hull at 6:10 P.M. today. Elder Freckletons home was in Eureka, Utah. He arrived in London Nov. 15, 1916 in company with Elders Lester F. Hewlet and Arnold G. Holland.

I answered Pres. Lewis’ wire by a wire promising a letter of instructions. Wrote such letter. Wired Pres. James G. McKay of London to [p. 57] send to Hull one of the two suits of temple clothes which came from Salt Lake in Elder Freckleton’s care. I sent cable message to the First Presidency informing them of Elder Freckleton’s death.

I wrote letters to my wife to my sons LeGrand and Ray and to my daughter Estella.

Liverpool.

Am better of my cold & Rheumatism. This has been a very busy day and important work accomplished, arranging for the preparation of Elder Wilford O. Freckletons body to be prepared. & to shipped home. Arranging with Prests’ Hunt & Barlow to accompany the body &c.

Attended evening meeting. Retired at 11:30 P.M.