I went to the Temple as usual. Pres. Mark Austin was the speaker. Attended weekly Council meeting from 10 A.M. to about 2:30 P.M. including luncheon time. Received appointment to Bannock for next week end.

This is my daughter Ruby’s birthday. She is 32 yrs old. She has been here in Town for ten days or more nursing Nervas children in their sickness. [page break] She and other members of the family gathered at our home in the afternoon.

In the evening my special arrangement my son George & wife; Willard B. Richards Jr. & wife, and Stayner Richards and wife met me at the Temple and we sealed up 42 couples of our dead. We arranged to continue the work next Thursday evening.

I took the 8:30 A.M. train for Ephraim to attend South Sanpete Stake Conference. Bro And. Jensen accompanied me. We were met at the train about 12:30 by Bishop Peterson and taken to his home where I made my stay while in Ephraim. Bro. Dorius of the Stake Presidency was with us After dinner we went down to the track meet for an hour. The Stake Presidency having arranged a meeting for the presidency and the visiting brethren we met at the home of Bp. Petersen for about two hours time where we considered stake affairs and other matters relevant which I brought to their attention. I spent an hour or two studying and retired at 10:00 P.M.

Ephraim, Utah.

A beautiful day.

I had a good night’s rest and am well & happy this morning. I attended the 10:00 A.M. conference meeting and was the concluding speaker, occupying the time from 3:30 to 4:00 o’clock with excellent liberty of thought and expressions. The Lord through his spirit did [page break] assist me. I read Isa. 53: and quoted Moses 1:39 and “God so loved the world: &c:” and drew the lesson of Love Sacrifice and Service. Gods command to us to do likewise. Love the Lord with all our hearts and dwell upon the subject of sacrifice and applied it to our work in the Church, the saving of souls. Work at home, abroad, for the living and the dead, paying tithing, donations, offerings &c. Thy will be done. What more can he say than to you he hath said?

A mistake. What I have written above is what occurred in the afternoon meeting. At the forenoon convention meeting the Convention program for the Priesthood was carried out. I made remarks in the end commenting upon conditions. Between meetings I set apart the Counselors to Bp. Real of Ephraim North Ward. At the close of the afternoon meeting I went with Pres. Lewis Anderson to Manti and inspected the work going on there in the way of repairs, remodeling &c. Pres. Anderson brought me back to Ephraim. No meetings this evening, so I stayed in and visited with Bishop Petersen and family. Wrote up my journal for the day, read the paper, &c.

Ephraim, Utah.

Am well

A beautiful day

I attended and spoke at the three public meetings of the Conference, the evening meeting being a Conjoint M.I.A. At the morning meeting I spoke upon the subject of Ward Teaching; also The future of the ministry of the Church is in the making, we desire to make it more efficient than the ministry of the present time is. How? Attendance 803. [page break] The attendance at the afternoon meeting was 845. I occupied 25 minutes. Subject Qualifications necessary to be advanced in the priesthood and to be recommended to the Temple. Bishops should keep the people informed in advance.

At the evening meeting Claud Cornwall occupied 30 min. I occupied 45 minutes on the subject of marriage & the different phases thereof. Had good liberty. This has been quite a busy, active day. I went with Bp Peterson to his brother’s home where we administered to their boy Richard. We met two doctors there. I ate but one meal this day and that was at the home of Bro. & Sis. Beal. I have had shown me every consideration that I could hope for.

I did not sleep as well as usual last night but am well and happy this morning. I spent the forenoon at Bp. Peterson’s reading, visiting &c & at noon got train for home. Arrived in Salt Lake at 5 P.M. and was met at the Ry station by my son George with his car and he took me home. Jack and Ruby spent the evening with us and took 11:[illegible] P.M. train for Cornish, their home. I rode to the Depot with them in Nina’s car with her.

I had the plumber to our home first thing in the morning. I attended a special meeting of Temple recorders, typists, [page break] checkers, janitors, &c in Temple annex assembly room at 10:00 A.M. and addressed them. I also attended a missionary meeting and assisted in setting apart a company of missionaries and instructed them. I had my suit pressed and my shoes shined while I waited. Attended to important matters at the Temple including correspondence &c. I administered to Pres. J. Golden Kimball a blessing. He has lost the sight of one eye and suffers much pain. In the evening I went with Mother & Nina & children down to Nerva’s and with Geo L. administered to Kenneth. He seems to be improving.

I went to the Temple as usual. Engaged Pres. H. J. Grant to speak at the meeting. I attended to the living sealings. I spent some time at the Genealogical office with my daughter Sarah who is beginning to handle our Temple records on my mother’s side. Prepared lists for sealings tomorrow night.

I attended my prayer circle meeting and lead out the [illegible] prayer at the altar. The spirit of prayer was upon me as it rarely ever is, I think. And now I feel like writing in my journal some of the sentiments of prayer I feel if I can express same. [page break]

A silent Prayer for the Alter.

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. May the Kingdom come, and, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. May we thy servants know thy will and do thy will with an eye single to the glory of thy most holy name. May we by our lives and precepts teach the people thy will and have influence with them in persuading them also to do thy will. May we be able to correctly interpret thy word, thy will and thy laws & commandments to the people and may they accept of our teachings and do thy will at all times and under all circumstances.

We worship thee, our Heavenly Father in the name of thy son Jesus Christ and acknowledge thee to be our Father & our God and thy son Jesus Christ to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. We acknowledge thy hand in all our blessings and that we have been richly blessed of thee. Help us, we pray, to fully appreciate all thy blessings and to manifest our appreciation and love of thee by faithfully keeping thy commandments. Help us to be trustworthy & valiant in our lives and orthodox in our teachings and exemplary in all things.

We pray that while there is so much dishonesty and roguery in the world, thou wilt keep us free from every taint. May [page break] we never be tempted beyond our power to resist. May we never lend encouragement to the enemy of all righteousness by yielding to his persuasions. Bless we pray thee our loved ones whom thou hast given to us and their every interest. Bless our homes & possessions. May we be wise stewards over that which has been entrusted to our care.

May we be generous & helpful delighting to serve others & make them happy. May we be able to love the Lord with all our hearts and our neighbors as our selves and to manifest this love in real, helpful, unselfish service.

We pray for the authorities of thy Church and for the various institutions there-of for the consummation of thy work and the coming of our Lord. Prepare us for every event of thy providence and finally for salvation in thy Kingdom. Bless the afflicted & the sick ones, the poor and needy ones, and those who are in sorrow and distress and all who are bowed down. Lead thy children in paths that are strait, that make for happiness & joy here and hereafter. All blessings needful we pray thou wilt grant with a forgiveness of our short comings & wrong doings and for power to over come all things & finally save us with an exaltation in thy kingdom, we humbly ask in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ.

Amen. [page break]

Last night I went down to my daughter Nerva’s and blessed her and her boy Kenneth. The latter is improving slowly. My grand daughter, Marjori Silver is quite ill with sore throat &c.

I went to the Temple as usual and attended to my duties there as President, from 10 A.M. to 2:00 I attended weekly Council meeting. Did some sealing work during the day and in the evening. Some of our folks came in and we sealed up 53 couples. Those participating are Willard B. Richards Jr. & wife, Preston D. & wife, Albert Z. & wife and Stayner & wife. I did the sealing. W. B. R. Jr. gave me his ck for $100.00 and Albert Z. gave me his ck for $75.00.

I attended to my duties at the Temple as usual.

I filed with the Temple Recorder this day one ck. of $100.00 from W. B. R. Jr and one ck from A. Z. Richards to pay for endowments for 40 males and for 290 females of the Longstroth, Gill lines. What is being accomplished along genealogical & Temple work for my kindred dead makes me happy and helps to take away the fear & dread of death. I called at my son George’s on my way to train about 9:30 A.M. Nina in her car to Mother & me with her to the depot where I took the train for Shoshone. [page break]

Arrived at Shoshone, Idaho at 8:30 A.M. in company with Elder Geo. Albert Smith. We were met at the station by President W. L. Adamson and taken 40 miles to Carey where the Conference was held. We divided the Blaine Stake by cutting off the wards in the South end, and we filled up the vacancies & left the Blaine stake in good condition ordaining and setting apart the new officers chosen. We took auto Ford at 5:15 P.M. and arrived in Rupert, 100 miles distant at 10:15 P.M. Pres. & Mrs. Adamson, their son D. Edwin Adamson driving. We were taken to Hotel Caledonia or Cal. Hotel, where we got rooms for the night. I wrote up my journal for the day before retiring, in Room 225.

At the morning meeting by request of Elder Smith, I lead the discussion and spoke. Bro. Smith presented the proposition of Stake division which carried unanimously.

At the afternoon Bro Smith presented the business and occupied about 40 minutes. I occupied about 43 min. Subject mainly “sacrifice.” I had good liberty of thought & expression. A good meeting. The conference will go on here in Casey and in Rupert the New Stake will be organized. [page break] Pres. W. L. Anderson, his wife and his brother D. Edwin, Stake clerk and Bro. Smith & I left Carey at 5:15 P.M. and drove 100 mi to Rupert via Shoshone & Jerome to Rupert arriving there at 10:15 P.M. We put up at the Caledonia Hotel. I had Room 225.

Rupert, Idaho.

Am well

Beautiful day.

We were in Council from 8:00 A.M. to 10 A.M. and between the meetings. At the morning meeting the vote was taken to organize a new stake and to call it the Minidoka Stake of Zion. At the afternoon meeting the officers were sustained and after meeting the officers were set apart. I laid my hands on the heads of 44 people ordaining and setting them apart and was mouth in setting apart twelve of the number. At the forenoon meeting the attendance was 542 or 240/0 of the population of the stake. I occupied 35 minutes on “Mother’s Day” and “Honor Parents” Recited “Which Shall it Be” and “A Mother to Her Son.” At the afternoon meeting Bro Jas. P. Payne & wife sang beautifully a story of Christ’s crucifixion. I followed commenting the singers, the retiring Pres Bro W. L. Andamson and the New Presidency, Richard C. May. I read Isa. 53 and spoke of Christ’s work & death. Read Napoleon’s estimate of Christ & Beacher’s estimate of God & commented occupying 35 minutes. This has been a strenuous day and I am thoroughly tired in mind & body. [page break] Bro. Geo A. Smith and I took train at 7:30 P.M. for home. Folks better.

Arrived in Salt Lake from Rupert, Idaho at 7:15 A.M. I went home to breakfast and later went to the Temple where I attended to my desk work, correspondence &c. I spent three or four hours with my daughter Sarah at her home going over the Longstroth Records checking up the work &c. She having taken over the work of keeping the records. In the evening I took my son Ray to see “The Hunch Back of Notre Dame.” I wrote to Oliver after supper.

I went to the Temple as usual and attended to my work there.

My nephew Franklin L. West called on me and presented me with a copy of the “Life of Franklin Dewey Richards,” my father, which he has been working upon for about four years and which is just now off the press. I called at the Genealogical office and got what books and papers pertaining to the Longstroth family and took them down to Sarahs and helped her some with the records. I went down to Nerva’s and with Mother, took supper. Joel & Georgina called later. We administered to Kenneth. Mother & I rode home with Joel.

[page break]

This is the 60th anniversary of my wife’s birth.

I went to the Temple as usual. I sealed about 15 couples living and about as many couples of dead and a good number of children. Alice and I and the grown up’s of the family mostly, went to the Wilks Theater and from there to our home where we had ice cream & cake.

I went to the Temple in the morning as usual. Attended regular Council meeting from 10:00 A.M. to 2 P.M. and attended to the living sealings &c.

I took train for The Big Horn at 10:30 train to leave at 11:58 P.M. Pres Hart accompanying me.

I arrived in Butte about 4:30 P.M. Had a good night’s sleep & a pleasant day ride which afforded me an opportunity to read & study. At Butte I had more than 4 hours wait and during that time while in the Ry Station I wrote an 8 paged letter to Orin, a 4 paged letter to Ruby and a two paged letter to Mother enclosing a Souvenir Card.

My health is good and my spirits also. I left Butte for Billings at 9:30 P.M. on pullman. [page break]

Arrived at Billings at 6:30 A.M. Elder Hart & I took breakfast at Ry. Lunch House and took Burlington train at 9:20 for Lovell. We arrived at Lovell, Wyoming at 11:02 A.M. and we were met at the station by one of the brethren and were taken to the meeting house where the meeting was in session. We took up the Priesthood Convention work as per programme. At the afternoon meeting the attendance was 325 which is nearly 10% of the stake population which is 3395. I was one of the speakers and occupied 40 minutes on the question which is agitating the people that of moving away some to Delta, Utah and others to Texas. I arrived to quiet the fever and impress them with the dangers of leaving their homes for purely financial considerations. At night I attended a M.I.A. Recreational Social.

Lovell, Wyo.

At the morning meeting of conference I was one of the speakers and occupied 30 min. Subject. Gospel Defined. Mentioned Bro. & Sis. Richard C. May as Pres. of Minidoka Stake &c. Attendance 635 or 18% of the Stake Population.

At the afternoon meeting I was the concluding speaker and occupied 45 min. Subject. Ward teaching and Gospel Investigation [page break] and Pre-existence, a fundamental principle. What it reveals; Bearing testimony &c. While in Lovel I ate & slept at Pres. Croft’s home.

I had a private interview with Bp Robertson of Lovel for about an hour over the agitation with respect to our people moving away. At the close of the meeting I took train 4:10 P.M. for Billings. Arrived there at 8:00 P.M. and left Billings on a Pullman for Butte at 9:30 P.M. While waiting in the Ry Station at Billings I wrote up my diary for the past two days.

Arrived in Butte from Billings on time 6:05 and got U.P. train out of Butte for Salt Lake at 7:45. Took my breakfast at the Ry Lunch Room. I had a good night’s sleep and rest and a safe journey thus far, praise the Lord. While awaiting at Butte I wrote a letter to my daughter Edna.

Left Butte at 7:45 A.M. and arrived in Salt Lake at 10:50 P.M. same day.

I spent the day at the Temple in the main. I set apart missionaries and attended a Director’s meeting of the U.I.V. Co. at 4:00 P.M. Went down to Sugar House and took supper with Mamie and Clarence. Mother had been there during the day, Nerva also.

Nina took us down & brought us back. [page break]

I went to the Temple as usual and attended to my duties there all day. In the evening I met Elder G. A. S. with the Presidency of Granite Stake and the H. Counselors, the Presidency of the HP. Quorum and Bishops in Forest Dale ward house where we considered matters pertaining to the Division of the Granite Stake. My son LeGrand brought me home and we with Mother visited Edith & family, Geo not home.

Attended to my duties at the Temple and to the weekly Council meeting in the Temple from 10 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. Went with the other brethren to the Bureau of Information and heard a B of M. Lecture and saw slides. Attended a committee meeting considering Granite Stake Division. Progress being made. In the evening Mother & I attended a primary entertainment in our ward house in which a number of our grand children took part. Joel & Georgina called in and stayed until after 12 o’clock.

I went to the temple in the morning as usual. Attended a committee meeting with Elder Geo. A. Smith and the Presidency of the East Division of the Granite Stake at 9:30 A.M., and the Presidency of the West Division of the Granite Stake at 2:30 P.M. and [page break] made selections of officers for the two stakes. I had a conversation with Pres. Grant about Joel’s affairs in trying to make a lease of the Salt Air property and differences which have grown out of same. Concluding Pres. Grant clasped my hand and said he had perfect confidence in me and that I had a wonderful family. Said Joel was a fine man and that he had been well pleased with Joel’s management of the Salt Air Resort.

I attended to the living sealings & some dead sealings. Attended to correspondence &c. In the evening I had a company of our people at the temple where we sealed up 42 couples of our dead. I officiated in sealing. It required less than two minutes to the couple, ie 42 couples in 78 minutes.

I went to the temple as usual and had a busy day.

I sealed a couple who were attending a concourse of people. The girl is a Brinton, a sister-in-law of Levi Edgar Young who was one of the witnesses. In the evening I attended a meeting of the stake officers of the Granite Stake, part of the quarterly Conference and by request of Elder Geo A. Smith, who was also present, I introduced the Class Demonstration and led the discussion or directed it.

My son LeGrand brought Elder Smith and my home. Bro & Sis S. Spencer took us to meeting. [page break]

I attended the Granite Stake Conference meetings in the morning and afternoon and spoke at each meeting. Pres. Grant and Geo. A. Smith were also in attendance. The Stake was divided and the west division named Grant, the East division retains the name of Granite. I assisted Pres. Grant and Elder Smith in Setting apart the Presidencies & some others. A meeting is called for Tuesday evening to finish setting apart High Counselors &c, at which Bro Smith & I expect to be present.

I spoke at the 27th ward in the evening. After meeting I called upon Andrew Kimball and gave to him a blessing at his request. I also administered to little Orin who had quite a fever.

In my talks at Granite I spoke of the principle of Authority in calling people to positions and the duty of members to answer all such calls. Support of officers &c. At 27th Ward I spoke of two powers and security in attending to all the little duties & the danger of neglect. Any man can be bought. It is a matter of price and applied it to Satan’s allurements from duty.

I had Gulbranson, Chas & his man at my home cleaning house, papering, painting, &c.

I went to Dr. Hardy’s office and had an x-ray photograph taken [page break] of two devitalized teeth. I have all of my teeth yet, but two of them have had the nerve extracted. Later I called and saw the photographs which Dr. Hardy explained as showing the devitalized teeth and others shown in the photograph as being in good condition. No occasion for anxiety on that account. This is a source of much satisfaction.

All usually well.

Weather cloudy and cool.

I went to the Temple soon after 7:00 A.M. where I attended to my desk work &c. I attended the funeral services of Wm Bradford held in the Assembly Hall. I formed the acquaintance of Bro. Bradford in 1881–2 at the Deseret University.

In the evening I accompanied Elder Geo Albert Smith to Granite Stake House where we met the Presidency, the H Council and the Presidency of the H P. Quorum and set these apart except the Presidency & the clerk who had been set apart Sunday. We gave some instruction &c. I wrote to Edna.

At our home the painters, papers &c are at work.

I went to the Temple as usual. Jos. F. S. was speaker.

I had a busy day of sealings. Attended Circle meeting in the evening.

My daughter Sarah gave [page break] birth to a baby boy about 10:00 o’clock P.M.

I went to the Temple as usual.

W. A Morten spoke at Temple meeting. Attended Weekly Council meeting from 10 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. except that while the brethren were lunching I sealed five couples and two families of children.

Made ready to leave tomorrow morning for Kanab.

I took 8:30 train for Marysvale arriving there about 5:30 P.M. From there I took stage for Panguitch arriving there at 12:40 A.M. While at Marysvale I phoned Bishop Carrol of Orderville and learned that the Kanab Conference was to be held at Orderville and arranged with him for him to meet me at Hachtown at 7:00 A.M. tomorrow While in Junction I phoned Pres. Henderson of Panguitch and arranged for him to take me from Panguitch to Hatchtown in the early morning. He invited me to come to his home to stay over night which I did and had four hours in bed.

Panguitch

Am well

Carried out plans of the previous evening and arrived at Orderville at 8:00 A.M. Roads good. Attended Conference meetings [page break] as per schedule 10:00 A.M. Priesthood convention, 2:00 P.M. Conference and 4:15 P.M. meeting of the Stake Presidency, H. Council & Bishops. At the 2 P.M. meeting I occupied 40 min. Read Job. 1, 2: & Section 6:1–8. Sacrifice & commented on losses of cattle through drouth. It is estimated that 50% of the cattle on some portions of the range had died of starvation, more that 75 cattle counted dead at one watering place. I stayed at the home of Bishop Carrol.