Arrived in Boise on early train. Had breakfast at a café and took 7:10 A.M. train from there to Boise arriving there at 10:20 A.M. Conference convened at 10:10. Attendance 104 or 3+% of the Stake population which is 3260. I occupied 40 minutes Genealogy & Temple work was being featured and I spoke upon the subject. At the afternoon I occupied 40 min. on the Subject of “Thy Will be Done.” In our spiritual estate there were three classes, viz. The valiant, the rebellious, the neutrals. The results on our present condition, the [page break] fallen spirits and the Negrows.¹

What we are here will determine in large measure what we will be on the other side. Are we anything other than valiant? I quoted, “I made the [illegible] myself. Told the womans dream of heaven and the Story of the Master & the servant. I attended evening priesthood meeting and occupied 45 minutes. Duties of Bishops & Stake Presidents in making and signing recommends to temple, instructing the people &c, also qualifications necessary to go to the temple & to be presented in the Priesthood, &c. Moses 1:39; Covenant

I slept at the house of Bishop Gwilliam.

Weiser, Idaho.

I attended a 9 A.M. conjoint YMLA officers meeting and made brief remarks.

At 10 A.M. Conference meeting I occupied 50 minutes. Subject, M.I.A. work and marriage. We were served lunch in the Meeting house.

At the afternoon meeting I occupied 40 minutes on the subject of sacrifice, applying the principle to donations to the erection of a state meeting house at Boise and the part we should take therein. Read Lecture 6th & commented. While in Weiser today & yesterday, I ordained and set apart a Bishop and three counselors and two Presidents of Seventy as per report. I took 4:40 P.M. train for home. [page break]

I arrived home from Weiser, Boise Stake at 8:20 A.M. today. Spent the forenoon at home working at my desk there. Called on Pres. Ivins on my way to the Temple. Had a busy afternoon at the Temple. At home I sat up to late hour correcting manuscript of a sermon delivered in the Tabernacle.

I attended a committee meeting at 9 A.M. to consider the division of the LeGrand ward.

Attended to correspondence, assisted in setting apart a company of missionaries. I set apart three of them.

Arranged itinerary of trip to Young Stake. I will have to leave Salt Lake tomorrow at 5:15 P.M. via U.P. & Denver. Conference in Kline. I should arrive in Hespers Sat 10 A.M. about ten miles from Kline. Telegram to be sent to Pres Davis Halls to this appt. Spent the evening at home.

I presided at the Temple meeting. I had Jos. F. Smith, Jr and Jos. Christensen together in counsel. We decided to let the typists continue to occupy the new south room of annex; to move Bro. J. W. Tates office into the Recorder’s office. I obtained permission to use the seates in the galary of the 5th floor as needed in furnishing other rooms in the Temple & the annex. I sealed eighteen couples [page break] living and several dead and a number of children to parents. Consulted the architects, Cannon and Fetzer about the work in progress. Took 5:15 P.M. U.P. Train for Young Stake via Denver & Durango to Hesperas & Kline ward. Folks getting along nicely.

Arrived at Denver 12:15 P.M. I went to a tailor shop near by and had some repairs made on my clothes. Returned to Ry station and read & studied until train time. Left Denver at 7:00 P.M.

Arrived in Alomoso 6:30 twenty minutes late. Got train for Durango at 7:10. Arrived in Durango at 5:30 P.M. where I was met by Prests. Halls and Hammond and Lewis Halls, stake clerk. We were taken in auto truck to Kline by a Brother Meek of that ward Bishopric. I stayed at the home of Bp Slade while in Kline. During the evening the Presidency of the stake held a lengthy meeting where we considered stake affairs. We decided to reorganize the Red Mesa ward Bishopric if that action was found to be agreeable with the Bishop. A meeting was appointed for tomorrow noon with the Bishop.

<This day my daughter Mamie gave birth to a baby boy.>²

At Kline, Colorado I attended and spoke at the two conference sessions and at an evening meeting held in Red Mesa ward. Cline is 20 miles from Durango and 12 miles from Heseras and 5 [page break] miles from Red Mesa. The snow began to fall about 6:30 this morning and we got about a couple of inches of snow. The weather turned very cold. The inclement weather militated against the Conference attendance. At the morning meeting I occupied 45 minutes. Read the Hymn, Come, Come ye saints and spoke of the seeming tribulations through which the people are passing and encouraged them to not forget the purpose of our parent’s coming to these valleys in the mountains & what it cost them. Engage in no enterprise or deal of any kind in which you can not ask the assistance of the Lord. Live near to him and he will stay nearby you &c.

A meeting of the Presidency and Bp Lee Taylor of Red Mesa was held between meetings where it was decided to reorganize the Red Mesa Bishoprick and to call a meeting for tonight for that purpose.

At the 2 P.M. meeting I occupied about 50 minutes. Subject Thy will be done. Three classes in the former existence; the valiant, the rebellious & the neutrals. See the results as shown in this life. So what we will be depends upon what we are. Lucifers part in the affairs in this life, &c.

After the afternoon meeting we held a High Council meeting at which I set apart three High Councilmen, ordaining one of them a H. Priest. I also set apart a counselor in the Presidency of the H. Priests quorum and ordained and set apart the Bishopric of the Kline ward. [page break]

At Redmesa, I ordained and set apart the Bishopric of that ward & made remarks. Distribute the offices & responsibilities. Benefits to the individual & to the Church. We develop under responsibility. Salvation to the faithful regardless of office &c. A cold night.

Kline, Color.

Am well & happy.

Clear, cold day.

I attended and addressed a Stake Priesthood meeting at 9 A.M. Subject: Vitalize the priesthood quorums and take proper care of the young men of the Lesser Priesthood. Put the boys on probation. Let them know in advance what qualifications are necessary for admission to the Temple or to receive the priesthood or to be promoted.

At 10 A.M. meeting, I occupied 30 minutes on the subject of the Word of Wisdom. Nearly all the men and boys of the Kline ward use tobacco. About 8 or 9 exempt.

Between meetings I went to dinner with Oliver John and assisted by the father & Bp Slade I administered to baby John.

At afternoon session of the Conference I occupied 60 minutes Subject: Sacrifice and Tithing. I read 6th Lecture on Faith and comments on tithing by outsiders. I loaned latter two leaves from my commentary to Elmer Taylor of Barnsby. [page break]

The population of the Young stake is reported as 1030.

Attendance as follows.

Sat 10 A.M. 64 = 6%

[Sat] 2 P.M. 90 = 9[%]

Sun. 10 A.M. 130 = 12[%]

[Sun.] 2 P.M. 145 = 14[%].

I left Kline at 4:20 P.M. with a Bro. Evans in a Ford car. Bro. Lewis Halls, stake clerk and another man accompanying.

I put up at the Savoy Hotel. This far on my way home, I feel that the rest of the trip will be pleasant, at least, will not be an exposure to cold &c from now on.

Durango. Colorado.

Am well.

I took train at 9 A.M. for Alamosa, thence to Denver. Arrived in Alamosa at 7:45 and got train for Denver at 8 P.M. I had a severe headache all the afternoon and finally a naucia and vomiting. I got relief after vomiting. Something I ate, I think was the cause.

Arrived in Denver at 8:10 A.M., 40 minutes late. I spent the time in the Ry Station and got train, U.P., for home at 1:30 P.M. Am not feeling quite normal yet. My stomach is weak. While waiting in the station I wrote to Orin and to Oliver. Addressed the letter, envelope, to Orin and mailed it at station.

Arrived in Salt Lake on 8:35 A.M. train, feeling well, happy and [page break] thankful to the Lord for his blessings unto me while on this trip.

This day I sealed 32 couples and a number of children to parents. Where I have the necessary help I seal a couple every three minutes. On reaching home I learned that my daughter Mamie had given birth to a fine baby boy last Friday, Dec 7th at about 8:00 A.M. This makes four grandsons born this year, 1923, viz. Joels, Nerva’s, George’s & Mamies.

Mother & I went down to Mamies in Sugar House on Street car at about 4:30 P.M. Clarence brought us home in his car about 10 P.M.

I arose at 5:30 and took 7:20 A.M. Car for my work at the Temple.

I wrote out a form of ceremony to take the place of the one now in use in time marriages and presented same to the Presidency. It was changed in same.

President Grant referred to certain other changes I had recommended in the Temple ceremonies saying we ought to act on them.

Mother & I went home from the Temple about 9 P.M.

I attended to my work at the temple as usual. Called on the First Presidency and attended to some business with them. I presented to them the corrected [page break] form of ceremony for Time marriages which received their approval. I furnished also a note for the minutes of our Council Meeting of yesterday which was also approved and given to the clerk to insert. Mother & I went down to Clarence’s and Clarence & I blessed and named their baby. The name we gave him is Lynn Richards Silver. I pronounced the blessing. We called on George & Edith also. All are getting along nicely.

Mother & I went to the Salt Lake Theater in the evening. The Olson Co. in “Ambush”

I went to the Temple in the morning as usual and remained there until about 1 P.M. Alice and I attended a luncheon given by the Genealogy workers or Society at 1:20 P.M. after which we went Xmas shopping. I went back to the Temple and worked awhile at my desk, before going home to Supper. Spent the evening at home with my family.

I went to the L.D.S. Hospital and administered to Lilly Fredrickson Groesbeck. Attended the funeral services of Samuel F. Ball and was one of the speakers. Attended sacrament meeting in the 27th ward.

I had an interview with Prests. [page break] Grant and Penrose.

Did some Christmas Shopping with Mother. Attended to desk work at the Temple &c. By courtesy of the L.D.S. School officers, Sister R & I attended the play at the Salt Lake Theater by Students, “Polly Anna.”

I went to the temple as usual. Attended to important business. Had interview with John Beard on matters pertaining to the U.I.V. Co business with which he is connected. Attended the U.I.V. Co. directors office meeting being myself a director and the President of the Company. Did some Christmas shopping &c and in the evening I wrote to my sister Nerva in Ocean Park.

I took 7:20 A.M. car for my work at the Temple. I was the speaker at the Temple meeting. I went to Z.C.M.I. with Sister R. where we bought her a coat for which I paid $70.50. I sealed 37 couples and about the same number of children. Attended prayer circle and meeting & a banquet given by the Auxiliary Bdg. at the Gymnazium the Y.M. & Y.L.M.I.A.

I attended weekly Council meeting from 10:30 to 3:30 P.M. except an hour while I was attending to the Sealings. I sealed, I think, eighteen couples. Attended [page break] and presided at the Temple meeting as usual.

My health is good and my spirits also. Folks all well. Alice & I went home from the Temple about 7:30 or 8:00 o’clock. We went with our Son George and went to his home where we blessed and named the baby, I being voice. The baby was given the name of Robert Dewy.

The shortest day of the year.

I took 7:30 A.M. car for the Temple. That seems quite early to go to work these short days and cold weather. I attended to the duties of the Temple as usual. The temple closes with to-days services until Wed., Jan. 2nd. In the interim we expect to move into the new quarters, the new dressing room for the women, the new dining room Kitchen, serving room &c, the checking room and the Linen room, cloak rooms for Temple workers &c.

I sealed about twelve of 14 couples including Arnold D. Miller and wife. His wife Mary Laub did Sep. 11, 1923, three months & ten days ago.

We announced today that there will be a meeting of Temple workers Monday Dec. 31st at 10 A.M. We adjourn with this evening session until Jan 2, 1923.

I wrote to Charles & Edna who are in Eugene, Oregon. Left the temple [page break] after the evening session was through.

I went to the Temple as usual. Answered letters. Wrote to my Sister Alice Ann at Fielding, Utah.

I took 1 P.M. Electric train to Bountiful where I attended and spoke at the first session of the quarterly Conference, 3% of the stake population present. I gave advice. Advised that they hold two conferences meetings on the Saturday of Conference and make special effort to have a large attendance at the first session. Returned home on 4 20 P.M. car. Did some shopping before reaching home.

Bp John Wells & I took 9 A.M. train to Bountiful where we attended South Davis Stake Conference at 10 A.M., 2 P.M. & 7:30 P.M.

I spoke in the morning session on the Life of Christ and in the afternoon on the Life of Jos Smith. In the evening I did not get to talk. Bro Wells occupied 46 minutes.

I rode to the Temple with my son George in his Ford Sedan.

I had four pictures put in the Temple Presidents Room at the [page break] Temple annex this day. The four Presidents viz.: Lorenzo Snow, Jos. F. Smith, Anton H. Lund and George F. Richards. I think this is the best picture of myself that I have ever had. Towards evening Mother & I accompanied my son George & wife in his auto down to call upon the families of LeGrand, Nerva & Mamie, Geo & family, Jack & Ruby and Nina and children are with us this Xmas

Christmas.

It was 2 o’clock this morning when we got ready for bed. We got up before 6 A.M. We had the usual good time and many presents changed hands. Mother & I received about 50 Xmas cards. We did not send out any this year’s Christmas. During the day we visited other members of the family in Sugar House and in the evening we had them all (grownups) except Clarence and Mamie with us. Mamie’s baby is too young for her to go out.

It has been a good Christmas. I have spent $280.00 or $300.00 for presents this Christmas. I do not begrudge any part of it. Before returning to bed this night, my sons Geo. & Jack & I administered to Nina’s baby boy Orin who has quite a cold.

I wrote to Edna & Charles. Went to the Temple where with the [page break] Architects Fetzer & Builder Hodgson I looked over the work and offered some suggestions.

Was busy at the Temple until about 5:45 P.M., when I went home. In the evening Mother, Nina, Ruby & Joel, & I went to a show with Clarence at his expense.

I attended weekly meeting of the Presidency, the Twelve and the Patriarch in the Temple from 10 A.M. to about 1:30 and after luncheon met with the Twelve for considering of Priesthood Study Outline &c until after 3 P.M. Attended to some desk work & correspondence &c at Temple. In the evening I attended, with other members of my family, a concert in the 27th ward, a benefit. I paid for ten tickets @ 50¢.

I went to the temple as usual and was busy all the forenoon then Performed marriage of Dr. Anderson and Miss Spence at the temple.

Ruby & Jack left for their home in Cornish.

I did some sealing for the dead for a Bro. & Sis. Andrus of Marion, Summit Stake.

My three sons, Geo, LeGrand and Joel & I by appointment met D. H. Livingston at his office in the Atlas block and with him talked over our mutual oil interests in Montana, near Shelby. [page break]

We four paid him & W. F. Atkin about a year ago $2500 cash for a 1/4 interest in a lease on 960 acres of land about 13 miles South of Shelby, Mont. Bro. Livingston now says he will have transferred to us an additional 1/40 interest in a thousand acres situated in four or five pieces of land on as many sides of the new well now being sunk by him. This 1/40 interest = 25 acres valued at $100.00 per acre at present. He also proposed an exchange of a part of the 960 acres above mentioned for an equal number of acres in a tract of land west from the new well now being driven and which is now 1450 ft deep. We consented to the exchange on his showing.

With my wife & others I spent the evening at my daughter Nina’s & took supper with them. On the way home Mother & I went to the Temple annex and inspected the work there. In it a number of men were working night shift in order to get ready to open the Temple Jan 2nd.

I went to the Temple in the morning and spent some time with the Architect Cannon and the builders, painters &c. I left the Temple about 6 P.M. In the evening our family, the married folks had a Progressive [page break] supper. Beginning a George’s we had soup & candy & nuts, thence to our home where we had sandwiches, chocolate & salad, thence to LeGrands where we had dissert. Left there at 12 o’clock.

I spent most of the day in the house. Had slight attack of diahae. We took dinner at Lucena’s and attended the 27th ward evening sacrament meeting. I offered the benediction.

I arose at 5 A.M., took 6:40 car for my work at the Temple. We put things into as good a shape as possible to show and at the close of a meeting of Temple workers held in the World Room of the Temple, the people were shown through. At the meeting the Speakers were in order as follows: myself, Jos Fielding Smith, Pres. Heber J Grant, Pres. Rudger Clawson, Pres. Elder Geo. A. Smith & Bp. Nibley.

In the evening Mother & I and Rega & Lucena as the guests of my daughter Nina went with her to the American show house. Mother, Nina & I and Ray and Joel Tate sat up until after mid-night watching the old year out and the New Year in. [page break]

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