With Elder James E. Talmage I attended the 16th ward sacrament meeting at 1:00 P.M. and assisted in blessing eight babies and confirming members, 9. The bishop, Edwin F. Parry and his counselors were released and Joseph H. Lake was sustained ordained as a Bishop and set apart Bishop of 16th ward. I ordained & set him apart. Chas. E. Wright was set apart 1st Counselor by J. E. T.

Ward population 1060. Attendance 300 or 30%—Bro. Morris Presented the business and spoke. Bro. Talmage & I each spoke briefly. The Lord helped me in this work.

In the evening I attended a similar meeting where in the 17th ward where Bp Tingey & counselors were released and Nicholas G. Smith was made Bishop of that ward and Bros. Langton and Hansen Counselors. We set them apart. [page break]

I spent most of the day at the Temple. Spent some time with Pres. Penrose in his office considering temple ordinances. I spent some time with J. E. Talmage at his office. The evening I spent at home.

I was with the Twelve, the Seventy and the Mission Presidents from 9 A.M. to about 3:30 P.M. in the Temple.

Did some letter writing &c.

I showed Bro Smart through the temple the improvements we have been making.

In the evening I attended a political meeting in the Orpheum and heard Senator Reed Smoot who occupied about two hours speaking very deliberate.

Extra large number of newly weds. Elder Jos. F. Smith assisted me with the sealings. I sealed 32 couples and 36 children.

Attended my circle meeting in the evening. Later Mother and I went with Joel & Georgina down to Mamies to see Nerva, she having come down from Inkom Idaho. The baby is quite ill & we administered to him.

We had a busy day at [page break] the Temple. I sealed 22 couples and 26 children. Attended 8:30 temple meeting and my weekly Council meeting in the Temple which began at 10 A.M. and closed at 3:30 P.M. At this meeting the ceremonies, ordinances, and rules, decisions, &c were approved. On these I have been working for months and for 2 years off and on and it is a great satisfaction to me to have them approved at this time in their present form.

Conference convened at 10 A.M. the Large Tabernacle being crowded. Pres. Heber J. Grant made the opening address and occupied more than an hour reading profusely from the B. of M. & D&C. A splendid address. Both meetings were very satisfactory both in attendance and in spirit, also in instruction.

In the evening I accompanied Joel & Georgina, my daughter Nerva and Mother to the Empress, not from choice. After the afternoon meeting, I spent a couple or three hours with Prests. Shepherd & Anderson of the Logan and Manti Temples, in the Salt Lake Temple, considering together the ordinances, rulings, decisions, &c. for use in the temples. [page break]

I attended the Conference meetings and priesthood meeting in the evening.

I was the last speaker at the afternoon meeting of the Large Tabernacle where the house was full. The President told the congregation that I was to talk until 4:10. I commenced at 10 to 4 and finished at 4:08 P.M. I was sustained well of the Lord and given thoughts & power of expression. I spoke of the Lords work and purposes, his handiwork in connection with the land of America in general and the U.S. in particular and our attitude towards the government & the law. Church and state should help one another. Both are working for the good of man & for his salvation as the Lord designed. I had many express their pleasure at my address which assures me that the Lord really did bless me richly. May his name be praised forever.

I met many friends during the day and answered a number of questions.

After the Priesthood Meeting I spent a couple of hours with members of my family at my home. Sarah & Hugh, Nerva, Clarence & Mamie, George & Edith were there. The weather has been beautiful thus far during conference. [page break]

A beautiful day. Temperature just right without an overcoat. I attended the forenoon and afternoon meetings in the Tabernacle and the Sunday School Union conference in the evening. All meetings crowded and both forenoon and afternoon there were overflow meetings in the Assembly Hall and on the open grounds. An excellent Conference. Geo & Edith, LeGrand & Ina & Nerva & Thelma were with us after meeting until a late hour.

Bro. McAllister and I were reading the parts for endowments &c Proof reading same.

Presided at Temple meeting special. Attended Special Priesthood meeting from 10 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.

In the evening Mother and I attended a reception tendered the Bishops & others at the Bps. Bldg. by the Presidency.

I attended to my temple duties as usual. In the evening I attended a banquet tendered the General Authorities by C. W. Nibley on Roof Garden of Hotel Utah.

Attended to the duties of the Temple as usual. Jos. F. Smith assisted with the Sealing. Circle. [page break] The following is a Statement by Sister Maria Dougal.

“Aunt Bathsheba Smith told me that she helped Emma Smith and Aunt Eliza R. Snow make the original Endowment clothes for the Prophet Joseph Smith. I asked her why they made strings for garments instead of buttons. She said they were too poor to buy buttons, so they tore strips of the cloth for strings. I asked her the meaning of the collar. She said that in making the garment they did not know just how to finish them at the top. Emma suggested that a small collar be put on which was done. She said that the first cap that was made, looked like a crown. The Prophet Joseph told them it should be more like the Baker’s cap.”

“Columbus Day.”

Attended 8:30 A.M. Temple meeting and Council meeting from 10 to about 2:30.

From the temple we, the Presidency, eleven of the Twelve Apostles and the Presiding Patriarch repaired to Thomas’ Studio and sat for a group photograph.

I attended to some correspondence &c and in the evening, with Sister Richards, met the Presidency & the Twelve & Patriarch & their companions at the home of President Grant in a [page break] Social arranged by our wives or a committee by them appointed.

It was principally in honor of Bro. David O. McKay and wife who soon are to leave for England. Bro. McKay is to succeed Bro. Orson F. Whitney as the President of the European Mission.

I attended to my temple duties as usual and in the evening visited at my son George’s home with Mother and Nerva & took supper there. I assisted my son Joel in administering to his wife.

I spent the forenoon at the temple and in the afternoon my sons Geo. & Ray & I went to the Football game, U. of U. & B.Y.U. teams. Leaving home about 5 P.M. Mother, Nerva & I accompanied Joel & Georgina in their car to Kaysville where we bought three cases of canned corn. Nerva’s baby is improving in health.

I went to Tooele with my son George, his wife, Mother & Sister Nerva and spoke at the funeral service of Ruth McBride Duffin. Went to the cemetery. We left home at 12 noon and returned home about 7:30 P.M. Had one [page break] puncture. I think the Lord helped me. I occupied 35 min. Geo & Edith & children stopped in and took supper with us. LeGrand & Ina came up and spent the evening until after 11 P.M.

I took 7 A.M. car for town and went to the Temple as usual where I spent a busy day. I am trying to line up a new chore of workers for evening sessions. Pres. Frank M. Taylor of Granite stake & Bro Yates Pres of the H. Priests of that stake furnished me fourteen names each of men & women and I presented them to the Presidency and they received their approval, &c.

I spent a busy day at the Temple. Am lining up a corps of workers for the evening sessions, about 18 women & about 30 men.

I spent another busy day at the Temple.

Attended Council meeting until 1 P.M. We met at the Twelve’s Council chamber and had moving picture of the Twelve and with the Twelve & Presidency at the Temple. Had a very busy day. I sealed 12 couples living & 42 children & mixed couples. My daughter Mamie and [page break] her boy Clarence have Tonsillitis and are quite ill. Mother & I went from the Temple down to their home after 6 P.M. Mother stayed all night. I administered to her & Clarence.

I took the 7 A.M. car for the Temple where I spent a busy day. Selecting and assigning workers, about 50 in number, for evening temple work is taking much time & thought, day and night. With George & Edith, Nerva, Mother & I went down to my daughter Mamie’s in Sugar House in the evening. Mamie & Clarence Jr. were both considerably better than they were the night before.

I am troubled somewhat with insomnia. I awoke this morning before 3 o’clock and did not get back to sleep again. My son George took Nerva & baby to the Ry Station before 7 A.M. on her way home and I accompanied them, thence to Temple. We have had no storm since long before Conference and the weather is still open and beautiful.

I spent some time with the Presidency considering matters pertaining to the Temple & Temple work & workers. Everything satisfactory. Instructions to Temple Workers prepared by me to day approved. [page break] Today I received dark suit made to order, of Virgin, Utah wool in the East from Z.C.M.I. Price $47.50.

I attended the meetings of the Liberty Stake Conference and in the evening visited my sick folks in Sugar House, Mamie & her little boy Clarence and administered to both, assisted by Clarence, Sr.

I set apart twenty-six men and fourteen women workers in the Temple assisted by Bro. Albert Davis, and attended to other Temple duties. Was in the Temple twelve hours, 7:30 to 7:30.

I spent the day at the Temple as usual. Set apart several workers. and attended to business generally. Left the temple at 6:45 and took supper at my daughter Sarah’s. Mother, Orin & Nina were also there.

We are getting our new workers lined up nicely and expect to be able to take over the night work completely next Thursday, two nights each week. By this arrangement, having new workers for both nights we will obviate the necessity of furnishing supper for about 54 people each night. Last Thursday even[page break]ing 72 people ate at our table. About 16 will be all that will be to supper hereafter but they will be at supper both evenings. The day workers will not have it so hard.

I attended to my regular duties at the Temple as usual.

This day Brothers Duncan McAllister and Anderson, the President’s secretary, finished and delivered to me eight copies of the Temple Presidents Book containing all the ordinances and ceremonies, [8 words redacted relating to a temple ordinance] and copies of all the parts separate for eight temples.

Excepting the index for the Temple Presidents’ Books, this finishes a work we have been engaged upon for many months, all approved by the Presidency and the Twelve & Patriarch.

Alice & I attended the Margaret Summerhays reception in S.L. Theater in the evening.

I took 6:40 A.M. car for the Temple and attended my weekly council meeting and attended to my duties at the Temple and went through for endowments in the evening. We had a number of new workers and I was desirous of seeing them in action. [page break] We had a full company of 300 and had them all through the veil before 11 P.M.

I attended to my duties at the Temple as usual.

I have during the Summer and to date taken a morning bath in cold weather water and usually get my street car for the Temple at 7:00 A.M. or 7:10 A.M. and I rarely ever get out before 6:00 P.M.

My labors are very much more enjoyable than they were before my wife was called to assist me. She does exceedingly well & enjoys her work.

Alice & I went through for endowments in the evening. This is the first session of endowment on Friday evening of the week and is special for & in honor of Pres. Daniel H. Wells, his 108th birth day. Next Friday we celebrate Pres. John Taylor’s birth day in the same way and thereafter regular services will be had for the Saints at large on Thursday and Friday evenings of each week.

My son George took me in his auto to the Ry station where I took 6:00 A.M. train for Richmond where I attended the Benson Stake conference. A group convention was held of all auxiliaries. [page break] Visitors present were: Bros. Horsely and Bowen and Sisters Carol Bennion, Young and Folsom.

I spoke to the sisters of the Reliefsociety.

My daughter Ruby & husband were at meeting and after the afternoon meeting, as there was no meeting or entertainment provided for, I went home with Jack & Ruby to Cornish, 12 miles, and stayed with them over night.

Cornish, Utah.

I had a good night’s sleep & rest. Am well. Jack & Ruby drove me over to Richmond to conference. I spoke about 30 minutes in the forenoon session and in the afternoon session I offered the dedicatory prayer of their Stake House. I also occupied about 40 minutes on Faith & Works &c.

After meeting I rode back to Cornish and stayed to supper and took 7:00 P.M. O.S.G. train for home. Arrived in Salt Lake at 10:55 P.M. While in Richmond today I ordained & set apart the Bishopric of Cornish, a counselor in [illegible] and a counselor in the H.P. quorum.

I went to the Temple as usual and was very much occupied with repairs being made &c. Held special meeting with a company of boys from [page break] Weber Stake at 9 A.M.

I wrote to each of the other Temple Presidents enclosing to each a copy of some leaflets I have had, with the approval of the First Presidency, printed and intend to place one in the hands of each of our Temple workers saying if they would like some more copies I would send them on request.

After supper Alice & I went down to Sarah’s. Hugh & I administered to their little girl Alice. My son George took us down and later came after us.

I spent the day at the temple as usual, and spent two or three hours with the First Presidency and Twelve in Council on civic matters.

In the evening Alice & I attended a reception for Elder D. O. McKay at the home of Bro. & Sis. Williams.