I attended 9:00 A.M. Priesthood meeting and Sunday School in 27th ward, also the 2 P.M. Sacrament meeting. I read from III Nephi 11th & 17th Chapters and bore testimony to the truth of what I read. I was the speaker in the 28th ward in the evening I occupied 45 minutes on the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Easter Sunday. My Son George with his car took Mother & Me down there [page break] attended meeting and brought us home. A full day.

Stormy day. I went to the Temple as usual in the morning and worked there until about 7:30 P.M.

Attended meeting of the Twelve, the Seventy and Mission Presidents from 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Attended to correspondence &c before leaving the Temple. At the meeting I spoke briefly and advised the mission Presidents to encourage their families of Saints in their missions to keep family records & to record all the information they can obtain concerning their dead ancestors and of their living relatives and teach their children to continue the record after they are gone that future generations may know more about us than we do of our dead. Mother & I and Geo & Edith went to the Pantages in the evening.

Pres. B. H. Roberts was speaker at the 8:30 A.M. Temple meeting. His subject was Masonry & Endowments. I sealed 47 couples living and 50 children to parents. Attended my circle meeting and the Pagent in Assembly Hall given [page break] by the Reliefsocieties of Ensign Stake.

Attended 8:30 A.M. Temple meeting and attended Council meeting from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. After meeting I remained with members of the Twelve and later with Pres. Clawson visited absentees, Jos. F. Smith & O. F. Whitney and discussed proposed changes in the garment which had been considered before the Council of the Presidency, the Twelve & Patriarch, the matter having been referred to the Twelve for recommendation.

I sealed 14 couples and 22 children. Left the Temple after 8:00 P.M.

Conference commenced at 10 A.M. with a full Tabernacle excepting a few seats under the gallery in the N.E. part. Pres. Grant made the opening remarks and read statistics which among other things showed 300% increase in the Number of ordinances performed in the Salt Lake Temple since 1918. He also mentioned that considerable improvement is to be made at the Salt Lake Temple during this year, which is virtually an affirmative answer to the requisition of the Temple Presidency for the Recorders, the typists, dressing room for the sisters &c. A number of Stake Presidents & [page break] others were called to speak and the conference was very interesting. In the evening about 2400 of the Priesthood met in the Tabernacle. Pres. Grant presided. Bp Nibley, Geo. A. Smith, J. E. Talmage & I were the speakers and we had a short meeting 1½ hours. Pres. Grant asked me if I had anything to say about Temple work and I responded occupying 15 minutes with good liberty and much satisfaction to myself. Stormy afternoon.

<The roof of our house caught fire and it was extinguished by the fire department.>¹

Stormy part of the day.

I attended conference meetings. Met many dear friends and enjoyed their association The conference pamphlet will give an account of the conference proceedings so I need not do so here. My daughter Ruby came from Cornish yesterday and Geo L.& Nerva & Kenneth came from Inkom to-day.

I attended the forenoon and afternoon sessions of the General Conference in the Large Tabernacle also the Sunday School Union Conference in the evening. At the forenoon meeting I was the last speaker occupying the time between 11:40 and 11:57 with good freedom & satisfaction. Praise the Lord. The Tabernacle was filled many standing and by the amplifyer thousands were reached [page break] who were outside. Pres. Grant went outside while I was speaking and on his return said he could hear me distinctly.

After Union meeting a number of our family members called in, Geo & Nerva & Ruby being present. There were Geo & Edith, LeGrand and Ina, Joel, Sarah & Hugh, Mamie & Clarence. A pleasant time was had until eleven o’clock.

All fairly well. I went to the Temple taking 7:20 car where I worked at my desk until nearly ten o’clock when I went to the Assembly Hall Special Priesthood meeting. Assisted by Jos. F. Smith & Jos. Christensen. [14 words redacted relating to a temple ceremony].

In the evening, I accompanied Joel & Georgina as their Guest with a number of others members of the family to the show, 17 in all and afterward went up to Joels and had refreshments.

I went to the Temple as usual and attended to important duties there.

At the Temple I met a Sister Isabella Gill White Urquhart of 1607 Winthrope St., Seattle, Washington—who says her fathers name is Wm. Gill and that his people came from Yorkshire, Eng. about 1849. Her father [page break] did work for his people in Logan before his death which occurred 23 yrs ago. Her father’s home was in Marriottsville, Weber Co. Utah.

The above is of intense interest to me and I intend writing to Pres. of Logan Temple for a transcript of work done by Wm. Gill.

In the evening our family members met at LeGrand’s home where games were played, refreshments were served and a good visit was had.

I went to the Temple as usual and presided at the 8:30 A.M. meeting, Bro. Geo Bowles the Speaker. I attended to my regular Temple duties, a large number of sealings. I sealed 32 couples and 55 children. I left the temple about 8:30 P.M.

I took 7:30 car for my work at the Temple, where I spent more than twelve hours. Attended weekly Council meeting and in the evening attended, with my wife the Tabernacle concert for a short time.

Home.

All well.

I spent 13 or 14 hours in the temple. I met the Presidency in their office for a short time and have an appointment with them for 9:30 tomorrow A.M. [page break] Assisted by Bro. Harry Russell I blessed Sister Nellie Taylor for a trip she intends taking through the Eastern States with Sister Lynch searching for genealogical information.

I spent 1½ hours with the Presidency where I read to them the ceremonies connected with [12 words redacted relating to a temple ceremony] as I had written them after hearing them repeated and after I had revised them. I asked if all the ceremonies designated as unwritten ceremonies could not be written, revised and approved and go into the President’s Book held only by the Temple Presidents. The Presidency were all present and thought favorably of by them. The matter is to be submitted to the Council of the First Presidency, the Twelve & Patriarch. This would give us a standard to go by that these ceremonies might be kept uniform.

The subject of the garment was again brought up and considered and certain changes thought favorably of. The permissibility of dispensing with the collar, using buttons instead of string, using the closed crotch and flap, and for the women wearing elbow sleaves and leg length legs ie just below the knee.

I spent about seven hours at the temple. President E. J. [page break] Wood was given a full set of Temple books to take home with him to Cardston for the Temple, a sacred charge.

I went to the Temple in the morning and studied gospel subjects, and attended the Tabernacle services at 2:00 P.M. & offered the closing prayer. Attended evening sacramental meeting in 27th ward. With Mother and children & Nerva and Nina and their children, took dinner with Geo. & Edith at 4 P.M.

I spent at the temple writing what has heretofore been unwritten ceremonies of the temple. My son George assisted me all the afternoon. We had with us to supper, Geo & Edith, Nerva & Thelma & Kenneth, LeGrand, & Ina & Nona besides our family at home and after supper we went for an auto ride.

I spent at the Temple busy at my desk and meeting callers, answering questions &c. Bros. Jos F. Smith & Albert M. Dais, my assistants read and approved the form of ceremonies which I have been preparing. After supper Geo & Edith took us for a ride down to Sugar House. We returned via Main St. A pleasant ride & enjoyable visit. [page break]

I had a busy day at the temple from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. My Son Joel and Mother stood for 16 couples of our Gills and I did the sealing & I sealed something like 15 or 20 couples living along with other work. and am happy in it. Attended Prayer Circle.

I was the speaker at the temple this morning, prayed at the altar in Council. Our Council meeting lasted from 10 A.M. to about 4 P.M. I read in the Council meeting which is known as the unwritten ordinances of the temple prepared by me and it was decided to have copies made and one each entered into the President’s Book of each temple.

I have the appointment to attend the Logan Stake Conference this week Saturday & Sunday and the Alberta, Canada Stake Conference the week following and while up there to attend the Taylor Stake and Lethbridge Stake Conferences following Alberta.

I was in the Temple at 7:30 A.M. and left for home at 8:30 P.M. Had a busy day. I sealed up 126 children to parents of the Gills. Mother stood for the mothers and Solomon E. Hale for the fathers.

I spent some time with the Presidency and Bishopric con[page break]sidering improvements to be made at the Temple. It was left in the hands of the Bishopric & Presidency of the Temple.

I had the unwritten ordinances of the Endowments typed to day by Bro Jos Anderson, under the direction of Duncan M. McAllister. This is done by the authority of the First Presidency. A copy is to be kept in the President’s Book of each temple.

My son Joel took me to the depot and I got 6 A.M. train to Logan and arrived there for the opening of the Logan Stake Conference at 10 A.M. At this meeting I occupied about 40 minutes. Subject: The relationship existing between us and God, His desire for our welfare & salvation, the means employed by him, the gospel, the church, the Holy Spirit and weak instruments like ourselves.

At 2 P.M. meeting I occupied about 45 min. Love, sacrifice, service, tithing. At 7:30 P.M. I spoke for about 35 minutes to the Priesthood on Genealogy & Temple work and on how to vitalize the priesthood quorums & members and obtain an efficient ministry.

I took supper and visited with my Sister Nerva between afternoon & evening meetings and stayed over night with my [page break] brother Fred.

Logan, Utah.

I attended four meetings & spoke at three of them. At the 10 A.M. meeting I occupied 30 minutes. Subject “Bearing false witness.”

At 11:30 funeral services of James Leishman, (93 years of age) I occupied about 12 minutes with good liberty.

At 7:00 P.M. Conjoint M.I.A. I occupied about 35 minutes on the subject of character. Between meetings I attended a meeting of the H. Council and investigated the members, attended to business, &c.

At the Conference Joseph Quinney Jr was released from the office of 1st Counselor to Pres Oliver H. Budge and Charles M. Christensen was sustained as 1st Counselor & Anthon E. Anderson as 2nd Counselor to Pres. Budge. I set these two brethren apart. I visited again with my Sister Nerva, her son George & grand daughter Rhoda between afternoon and evening meeting.

I took 8:25 P.M. electric train for home and arrived in Salt Lake at 12:30 at night. This has been a strenuous trip & time but enjoyable with all, thanks be to the Lord.

My health and the health of the family is good at present. [page break]

This is the 40th anniversary of the birth of my son George.

I went to the temple somewhat later than usual.

I wrote a three paged letter to my nephew George F. Knowlton advising him in regard to his future course and how to solve a problem of love affair &c. as this question was submitted to me yesterday by him and his mother while I was at their house in Logan. I think this letter was inspired. I did not have to change a single word.

I accompanied my son George & family to the American in the early evening and later met with the members of my family at George’s home where we spent a pleasant evening.

I went to the Temple as usual taking 7:40 A.M. car. Spent a busy day and left the temple for home at about 7:15 P.M. Made ready to leave tomorrow for Canada. Alice, Nerva, Estella & Thelma went to the Salt Lake Theater.

I took 7:00 A.M. car for the Temple where I was busy until after noon when I took 1:15 train for Canada.

My daughter Nerva and baby [page break] Kenneth, left for Inkom, their home, on 7: A.M. train. Before going, I gave her a blessing at her request. She is in a delicate condition.

At the Temple, Architects Cannon & Fetzer engaged my attention for some time. They are going to plan certain improvements for the Temple approaches.

I worked with Alice & Sister Annie Miller planning to make two separate sets of workers for the day work making ten presidents instead of five. Bros. Smith & Davis approved. We released Sisters Musser, Sharp & Lulu G. Richards from presenting & give them other work. We consulted them before doing so and found them submissive. Jos F. Smith was with us when I presented the matter to them each separate from the others.

I am on my way to Canada to attend the three Canadian Stakes’ Conferences, and am taking with me important temple records.

Arrived in Butte in the early morning and got train for Gt. Falls at 8 A.M. Arrived in Gt. Falls at 3:15 P.M. and I put up at the Park Hotel.

I went to a show in the evening at the Palace and in the afternoon in the Liberty. I studied all the way from Butte to Billings and felt that [page break] I needed a little diversion. I slept well last night and have had two meals today at this writing 9:30 P.M. I am feeling exceedingly well. I wrote a one paged letter to my son George, enclosing some news paper clippings.

On train at Sweetgrass 1:10 P.M. My attention has been given to-day to the subject of oil production along the line of this Ry. It is 69 miles from Gt. Falls to Conrad; 16 miles from Conrad to Fowler; 3 miles from Fowler to the Fowler well. It is about 6 miles from Fowler to our 960 A tract and 8 or 10 miles from there to Shelby. Shelby is 16 miles North of Fowler. Shelby is 20 miles South of Kevin and 30 miles south of Sunburst. Shelby is the junction of the through line going east & west and the train going North & South and shows greater activities in the building line than any other town between Gt. Falls and the border. Our 960 track lies between Shelby and the Fowler well which is 3 miles north of Fowler. The Fowler well is 13 miles south of Shelby. Sunburst seems to be in the midst of the oil field on the North. Kivin 10 miles south is also in the midst. There are about 52 producing wells between and many being sunk or drilled. The Fowler well derrick is but a one horse affair. It is within a stones throw of the Ry. on east side and was in operation as we passed. At Shelby I met and conversed with [page break] a Mr. J. E. Lorernan whose address is Sullivan Hotel, Shelby or Park Hotel Gt Falls. He is a geologist and is engaged in locating wells. I asked about the Fowler well. He said it is on the oil formations but being so far from producing wells the owners are taking a big chance. He thought the well to be about 1800 feet deep. If they get a good flow of oil all the district between there and Sunburst will be a blaze with interest. I asked if the prospects for getting oil would not be as good any where in the bottom of the river or gulch. He said no, that the Fowler well is in the formation or fault, or what ever it is which can be traced with a degree of certainly on the surface.

From Kevin to Sunburst is the well section already developed.

I wrote a two page letter to my son George as I came along and mailed it on the train I went on to Sweetgrass. At this stage of the game I feel somewhat encouraged but the risk is great. If oil is found in the Fowler well in quantity that well justify, there is little question about our land deal being profitable. When the train for Cardston reached Raymond I found Pres. Allen there to meet me and then learned that the Taylor Stake Conference comes first, the Alberta Wed. & Thurs. and Lethbridge the following Sat. & Sun. I spent the evening with the Stake Presidency Bros. Allen & Snow. Bro. Brandly of Sterling confined to his home of an illness. [page break]

Raymond, Canada.

Am well.

Pleasant weather.

Conference opened at 10 A.M. I was one of the speakers and occupied about 40 minutes. Subject, Pre-existance of man a Biblical doctrine and a fundamental in Mormonism. What it does in understanding of other principles; Origins of the gospel & its oneness, its what man may attain, the Fatherhood of God & brotherhood of man, a refutation of the Darwin theory of evolution and of the Reincarnation of the soul &c.

At the afternoon session I spoke 45 minutes upon the subject of genealogy & temple work and the preparations necessary to be made to qualify the members to worthily go to the temple; also the necessary information to enable them to do work for their dead.

At 4:15 I met with the Presidency and High Council and catechized them as to their manner of living and the character of the work they are doing. I found that those present of H. C. are faithful to duty and exemplary in their lives. I stayed at Pres. Allen’s home and while the folks went to the Oratorio I remained at home reading the Era & the Digest. Have taken some cold. The temperature is just a little too cool to sit in the house without a fire.

Raymond, Canada.

I have some cold. [page break] At the 10 A.M. conference meeting the children were present in large numbers. I was one of the speakers and occupied about 35 minutes. Subject. What you came to get. Food, Kind, Why? Garden like the gospel to get satisfactory returns all necessary elements must be incorporated. Everything short of this will mean disappointment.

At 2 P.M. meeting I took up the subject of Eternal Judgment and compared the views of the world with our views also read Beecher’s on the Personality of God & commented. Had good liberty, occupied 50 min. At the evening conjoint MIA meeting I occupied about 25 min. Subj. Marriage. We have had some rain during the day and evening, muddy under foot.

Raymond, Canada

My cold better.

A beautiful morning.

I arose at 6:30 and wrote up my journal as I held it on my knee. Spent the day at Pres. Allen’s until about 3 P.M. Called on my cousin Phoebe Longstroth Evans on my way to the station. Took train at 4:30 for Cardston accompanied by Pres. Allen. We were met at Cardston by Pres. E. J. Wood and taken over to the temple where we spent a pleasant hour. We stayed at the home of Pres. Wood and sat up until after 1 A.M. considering the matters pertaining to the Temple dedication. While in Raymond today I wrote a letter to my wife.

I had a phone visit with Lillian Cannon Roberts before leaving Raymond. [page break]