I went to the Temple as usual in the morning.

Attended to desk work; made requisition for $4650.00 of the First Presidency for Temple improvements &c.

I called upon my daughter Sarah at 625 So. 7th East and later I called upon Bro. Henry F. McCune and family. Sister McCune had a paraletic stroke a few days ago. Bro. McCune & I administered to her. My son George and Mother & I left town at 5:30 and went over the route proposed for our Temple outing Aug. 8th up American Fork Canyon, around back of Timpanogus Mountain down into Provo Canyon and [page break] home, arriving home at 12 o’clock. I think it too dangerous a route to be undertaken by the temple workers. It would be all right to go up as far as Mutual Dell.

I went to the Temple as usual. Attended to business which was awaiting me there. Arranging for a day’s outing for our Temple workers consumes time. The cleaning and painting is going forward.

Yesterday I called on Dr. Calderwood who examines applicants for the Beneficial Life insurance. He tested my blood pressure and said it was 110° He said had it been as high as 135 or 140° it would not have been considered high for me. That might have been considered as normal, but that the fact that the pressure was low was no bad indication. I am feeling A One. A little trouble at times with my right knee constitutes my only trouble worthy of mention.

I spent the evening at home. Read from my father’s biography.

I went to the Temple as usual.

By phone appointment Bros. Jos. F. Smith, Jos Christensen & I met at Temple Annex Sister [first, middle, and last names redacted]. After hearing her we gave her advice to be less prominent on account of family marital relations. [page break] A great deal of her present trouble is due to her having come here to the Temple. I advised her to not seek for the privileges of the Temple, thus bring her marital relations up for consideration.

Mother, Nina & I as Joel’s guests went out to Saltair on the 5:30 P.M. train and had a lake bath and supper at the Ship Café.

Most glorious. All well.

I went to the Temple for a short time in the morning. Spent most of the day at home with Mother, Nina & her children & Estella. We went to the Victory 2:30 P.M., thence rode through Liberty Park with Nina’s car, thence home. We found Ruby & Jack, they having arrived in auto a few minutes before our return from the show. About 9:00 P.M. we all went in Jack’s auto upon the Boulevard to see the Salt Air fireworks but did not see them. Most all the other members of our family were out to Saltair all day. Sarah & Hugh also excepted.

I went to the temple in the morning as usual. Attended to correspondence &c.

While in the temple I lay down on the couch to take a brief nap as I became sleepy. I slept and dreamed. I saw in my dream, women whom [page break] I knew to be lewd and immoral engaged in the dance. They seemed to be in a state & place to which they had been assigned because of their beastly desires and habits & I loathed them. Then I saw some men who seemed to be in durance vile for their low down & beastly conduct. I was impressed as never before with the gravity of the mistake some make in thinking they are happy while violating the laws of nature & of God. I contrasted these unhappy miserable beings which misery could not be hid even with the dance, with the men and women who were trying to lead conscientious lives. This comparison made me happy while yet in the dream and after I awoke. In my dream I thought that the physical appearance of the depraved told the story of their debauched lives and their misery, and I could read in their appearance their state & condition as well intellectually and spiritually as physically. The dream was an impressive one calculated to encourage me in living right. Any other course would be unreasonable and criminal to self.

A telegram from Edna received about 11:00 clock last night said she would arrive here Sunday morning. The train is due at 8:15.

I was in the Temple from 9:00 A.M. to 5:40 P.M.

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Charles and Edna came in from Eugene, Oregon on the 8:15 A.M. train. They were met by four auto loads of our family members and all repaired to our home where a number of the family spent portions of the day and evening. We had a very enjoyable day. All well.

I spent the day working about the home. I cut the lawn dug dandelions and trimmed the vines & bushes about the front yard porch and cleaned up the back yard. Being very tired at night I took a bath and retired early. I had the chimney sweeps clean out the chimney, furnice, pipes &c today at a cost of $400.

I spent some time at the Temple and some time at home and with some of our people attended a show.

I called to see the Presidency and found only Pres. Penrose in. Had a brief talk with him. Called to see the Bishopric and had a conversation with Bp. Wells.

I spent the evening at home retiring early.

I sealed two couples one being Faith Steed, my wife’s niece & Geo. Alvin Howarth. With other members of the family I attended [page break] their reception in the evening. I spent considerable time in the temple. Bp. John Wells representing the Presiding Bishopric, with me inspected the work being done at the temple and approved same. We had asked for an appropriation of $4650.00 to do this work. Granted.

I spent about 1½ hours in the early morning cleaning up back yard &c.

Went to the Temple as usual. Obtained an interview with Prests. Grant & Penrose, Elder M. J. Ballard present. They consented to Bro. Talmage being on the Committee for Temple ordinances. I advised Bro. Talmage accordingly.

Permission was given to have the Temple Workers outing at Pinecrest Aug. 8, 1924, and to spend $250.00 if necessary to carry it out successfully. Other important matters were considered.

I prepared a form of invitation to have printed on cards to Temple workers & escorts.

I went down to my daughter Nerva’s and took supper with other members of the family.

I spent the forenoon at home working about the place. At 2 P.M. I attended the funeral services of Wm. W. Hamilton Jr held in Ensign ward house and was one of the speakers. I visited the L.D.S. Hospital [page break] and assisted and assisted by Bro. Lambert, I administered to Algie Walker Ford and a sister Tait both of whom had been operated upon. Mother and I went out to Saltair in the evening with George & Edith. Another A number of the family went out and we had a bath, supper, &c.

I spent the forenoon at home and the afternoon at the temple. This is the season of the year when the brethren who desire a vacation or outing are at liberty. There are two Sundays together without conference and no weekly meetings of the Council of the Presidency & Twelve are being held. Prayer circles are suspended and the Temple is closed for ordinance work from June 28 to Aug 11th.

My religious duties take me from home so much, it is a rare treat to spend so much time at home and I have no great desire to go away on a vacation. Charles & Edna have been with us since the 6th and they intend to remain for another two weeks before returning to Eugene, Oregon. Jack & Ruby were down from Cornish last Sunday and we expect them to be hear again tonight to stay over Sunday. We are trying to make them contented and happy and to enjoy ourselves with them. [page break]

Thoughts about my journal. When I think that some one may undertake to look through my journals after I shall have gone hence with a view to accumulating information for a book on my Biography, I feel ashamed that I have written so much into my journal that is of so little worth and so lacking of interest. I have thought that notwithstanding I have been closely associated with others in the making of Church history. I would leave the making or writing of such history to the Church, its Stakes, & wards, & missions, and that leaves me but little to say about such matters. When pouring over the Temple Ceremonies alone and with a committee appointed to consider them with me I usually mention that I have been working at my desk or in the Temple, yet in time great changes have evolved which as a whole may not be mentioned by me in my journal. Of that character of work I can say that since I became President of the Salt Lake Temple we have re-written those Temple ceremonies and ordinances which have been heretofore written, first at the time of the dedication of the St. George Temple, and have put them in leather back covers as loose leaves and provided each Temple President with a copy. Later those ceremonies known as unwritten [page break] ceremonies, i.e. [14 words redacted relating to a temple ceremony], were written and copies furnished on loose leaf sheets for the Presidents of Temples Books A list of 83 rules and decisions have been written also for the guidance of Temple Presidents supplanting all former notes sent in full harmony. Each of the Temple Presidents has been supplied with copies, or rather, they were included in the Books when they were first sent out to the Temple Presidents.

The Temple Committee have gone over the ceremonies of the Endowments with a view to more perfectly put them in proper form and we are still working on them and I am in hopes that in due time these will be considered by the Presidency and as far as is right the suggestions will be approved and the ceremonies be re-written having all the written ceremonies appear in their most perfected form and regular order in the Presidents Books and in the past books. I am delighted with what has been done thus far and am hopeful that the future will see the other changes made which are very much needed. As these things originated on my recommendation and I have had more to do with them than any body else, I feel that I have [page break] had important part in a splendid accomplishment which the saints generally know not of.

I have felt that since I have been called to preside here in the Temple that if I should live and labor here acceptably to the Lord, he would use me as an instrument in advancing the work in these lines and I believe he has thus blessed me, and used me. The First Presidency could not be expected to be in touch with all the details of Temple work & with the needed changes only as these things are brought to their attention and who should do this if not the Apostle in charge of the Salt Lake & leading Temple of the Church. The first Committee appointed on this work consisted of, in order of seniority, Geo. F. Richards, David O. McKay, Jos. Fielding Smith, Stephen L. Richards and John A. Widtsoe. Since David O. McKay is away, in Europe, Bro. James E. Talmage has been appointed a member of that committee.

Pres. A. W. Ivins has been appointed to go over the work with the Committee before it is presented to the Presidency. To date we have had two sittings with Pres. Ivins.

A small sheepskin binding book is kept in my desk which shows progress of the work at the Salt Lake Temple since I became President. This book gives valuable information but is not as complete as I could wish. [page break]

I think that from this time forth I shall write in my journal with the thought that it may sometime be read by someone other than myself.

I attended S. School and meeting in the 27th ward. The grownups of my family excepting LeGrand & Ina who are in California assembled at our home after the evening meetings and ice cream sherbet & cake was partaken of freely. Mother and all eight of her daughters sat for a group photograph at Thomas’ Studio.

I spent most of the forenoon at home. Repaired screen doors &c.

Went to the Temple and attended to some correspondence and other desk work. Later I attended a show with seven other members of the family at Ray’s expense.

I went to the Temple as usual and by phone received an appointment to assist Pres. Clawson & others in considering the matter of dividing two or three of the wards of Grant Stake. At 2:30 P.M. Pres. Clawson, Geo A. Smith and [page break] I accompanied Pres. Daynes & Bro. Woodruff and in auto we inspected their stake and agreed with them that three new wards should be created in the Grant Stake. We will report at next Thursday’s meeting of the Council. In the evening Mother and I and Chas. & Edna went with Geo & Edith & Nina in their cars down to Mamies & Nervas in the Southern part of the City.

All well. Warm weather.

I went to the temple in the morning as usual. I gave my summer suit to Jack and today I bought at Z.C.M.I. another summer suit for $20.63. It had been held at 27.50 regular. A cut of 25% is being made on all such goods.

I spent the evening at home with my family.

I went to the Temple as usual. Married a couple and sealed to them a child by a former husband. Attended weekly Council meeting in the Temple from 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Sealed a second couple in the afternoon.

Mother & Ray, Charles & Edna, Geo & Edith & Clarence & Mamie and their children in two autos went up Parley’s Canyon and around through Coalville & Echo and home for an outing. They were gone from 6:00 A.M. to [page break] 10:00 P.M. Remained at Como lake in Morgan Co. for several hours.

In the evening I visited Pres. Andrew Kimball at Bro. Connelly’s Home on 1st Ave. and administered to him a blessing. I finished reading the Biography of my Father by Dr. Franklin West his grandson. This is a well written book. The subject is a worthy one. The life of my father as there portrayed is most interesting and inspirational. When I think of the accomplishments of my father it makes me feel very small and inadequate for the responsibility which has come to me from the Church.

I do feel that the Lord has helped me in every direction of my life’s activity. I have been measurably successful in raising my family. Notwithstanding I have had but one wife I have had fifteen children, five boys & ten girls of these thirteen are still living & ten of them are married all of them in the Salt Lake Temple. I have 36 grand children, 29 of whom are still living. All are faithful and honorable.

As counselor in the Tooele Stake Presidency, which position I occupied from June 29, 1890 until I was called to be an Apostle and member of the Apostles Quorum, April 9, 1906, first as First Counselor to Pres. Hugh S. Gowans and later First Coun[page break]selor, the Lord magnified me and Helped me wonderfully. As a patriarch, he helped me, as an Apostle, as Pres. of the European mission, and as Pres. of the Salt Lake Temple, I have uniformly been blessed of the Lord. Thankful for these blessings & what I have been able to accomplish, I feel that I have done but very little for the cause as compared with what my father has done for it. How am I to correct my record but by plodding along in faithfulness and devotion to my calling?

I went shopping with my son George. He bought a nice suit on my recommendation of Mullett for $21.75 sales price.

I attended to my sales correspondence, gave direction to the repair and painting work going on at the Temple &c.

In the evening I attended the Pantages show with Mother & others as Nina’s guest.

I went to the Temple as usual where I spent the day in study, meditation and prayer. Attended to some correspondence. Spent the evening at home with my family. Sarah and Hugh called. Charles & Clarence went to the Strawberry Reservoir fishing & [page break] Mamie and children are with us.

I took 8:00 A.M. Bamberger train for Ogden where I was met by Pres. Geo. E. Browning of Weber Stake Presidency who took me to inspect the New Gymnazium which cost $300,000, of which the Church pays half. A monument of financial folley. A temple could have been built for the money.

I spoke at both forenoon and afternoon meeting of the Weber Stake Conference & spoke at both. At the forenoon meeting I occupied about 30 minutes. Subject: Service, Test. Moses 1:39. Quoted the poem. “Get some body else.” Showed how we can help the Lord, by preaching the Gospel, Genealogical & Temple work, work in stake & ward organizations, building meeting houses Gymnaziums &c. I had good liberty, may the Lord be praised

At the afternoon meeting I gave my experience and gave key to patriarchal blessings. Quoted Adam fell that man might be and men are that they may have joy. Subj. Honesty & Happiness. Read poem, “The Better Ways.”

My son George with mother, Nerva and Edith met me at the close of the meeting [page break] and we went up Ogden Canyon to the flowing wells in the valley above, thence home

Received phone request to marry a couple Tuesday 22nd at 11:00 A.M.

I went to the Temple as usual in the morning. On my way I met Judge Herman with whom I have had an extended acquaintance and we retired to the lobby of the Hotel Utah and had a pleasant conversation upon the subject of the Gospel. The judge is 79 yrs old. He claims to believe in the teachings of Christ and claim that certain teachings in the Doctrine & Covenants teach retaliation & vengeance upon our enemies which he claims is in conflict with Christ’s teachings. I mentioned a number of Christ’s sayings which he seemed to have overlooked. Later I wrote him a letter enclosing the following quotations:

Mat. 21:12, 13, 19.

[Mat.] 23:13–33.

[Mat.] 24: 21, 22.

[Mat.] 25: 24–30.

[Mat.] 25: 41–46.

Exodus 20:5&6.

I asked the Judge to compare these with the D. & C. quotations & see if he could not recognize the same author in both.

I arranged an appointment with the Presidency and Brother [page break] Thomas C. Callister at the office of the Presidency and President Grant blessed Bro Callister and conferred upon him the sealing power to seal both the living and the dead. Bro. Jos. Anderson took the blessing down in short hand. Pres. Penrose & I laid our hands on with the President at his suggestion.

Brother Alvin J. Smith is leaving us at the Temple to labor in the Historian’s office. He has been allowed $125.00 per month. Bro. Callister gets no pay.

I presented to the President & Pres. Penrose, Pres. Ivins being in Hawaii, that fact that we have expended nearly $230,000 in making improvements about the Temple, and when the painting is finished which will be in a few days it would be ready for dedication is such actions should be considered necessary. The President said he did not think it necessary, however, it might be all right to have a meeting of the General Authorities and Temple Workers at some convenient time and there express our feeling of appreciation of these blessings from the Lord. He suggested that I mention it in our Council meeting when Pres. Ivins has returned from Hawaii.

I spent the evening at home listening to the Radio.

My son LeGrand & family returned last night from California. [page break]

I went to the Temple as usual. Married a couple. Received a phone call from Pres. Clawson asking if I could attend Alpine Stake Conference next Sat & Sunday. My answer was that I could, & would. I mailed some eczema medicine to my sister Alice at Fielding for Joseph’s wife, Bertha. I worked at my desk with correspondence and so forth until about 4:40. Spent the evening at home while the other folks were out to Saltair.

I went to the Temple as usual in the morning where I spent the day, busy at my desk.

I married Erastus Frank Birch & [blank] Dahle of Eureka for time only.

Spent the evening at home.

I remained at home until afternoon. I went to the Pantages Theater and took Mother, Nina, Estella, Chas. & Edna. Took these to dinner at Hotel Utah Cafatera & with them, excepting Estella, went down to my son LeGrand’s home in Sugar House where we spent a pleasant evening.

My time at the Temple was taken from 11:00 A.M. to 4:30 with Committee work on Temple [page break] ordinances with Elders Jos. Fielding Smith, Stephen L. Richards and J. E. Talmage. Arranged for another meeting of the Temple Committee for Monday next at 12:30 o’clock. Spent the evening at home. Had calls from LeGrand & Ina & other members of the family.

I went to American Fork where I attended the Alpine Stake Conference and spoke at both meetings. At first meeting I occupied about 45 minutes, Subject. Pioneers, Colonizing &c & In the afternoon I spoke upon the subject of “Thy Will be done and Two Powers &c.

I returned home for the night. Charles & Edna took the 11:30 P.M. train for Portland. The evening was spent at home. Most of the family came in to visit with Edna & Chas. & went to the Depot to see them off. Charles & Edna came from Eugene, Oregon, July 6th. We have enjoyed their visit very much.

I went to Am. Fork again & attended conference meeting. At the forenoon meeting I spoke of the missionary work being done by the L.D.S., the spirit & willingness in which it is done &c.

In the afternoon I spoke of the Gospel, Defined it; Fundamentals, the first Principles & Pre-existence 50 min. [page break] I returned in time & attended the sacrament meeting of the 27th ward. A returned missionary Rolap was speaker. Wrote up my journal &c. Wrote to my sister Alice Ann.

I was with the Temple Committee, five of the Twelve Apostles considering proposed changes in the ordinances, from 12 noon, until 4:45 P.M.

I took 6:00 P.M. train for Ogden where I met the Mt. Ogden Stake Presidency and others. I ordained & set apart Bishops for 5th ward, 17th & 18th wards and the Counselors to Bp. Petty of the fifth ward. Gave instruction to the brethren & returned at a late hour.

I spent the forenoon at the Temple and in the afternoon my son George took Mother and me to Bountiful where we attended the funeral services of Sister Anson Call, mother of Bro. Israel Call and I was one of the speakers.

I spent the evening at home with my family.

I went to the Temple as usual looked over the painting work with Bro. Gulbrandsen, attended to desk work, study, &c.

In the afternoon I attended the funeral services of Sister Wm. C. Spence in the 18th ward House & offered the benediction. Pres. Grant & Elder Whitney were the speakers. [page break]

We this day discovered that the painted plaster in the Garden room of the Temple is loose from the wall and falling off on the west wall. Steps are taken to have the painting marked with tissue paper before removing any more of the plaster. We will probably get that completed tomorrow and will then have the old plaster which is loose removed and new plaster put on to replace the old. We will then have the new plaster painted reproducing, as nearly as possible, the old.

Bros. Weyburg & Gulbransen commenced copying the painting on the west wall of the Garden room so as to reproduce same when the plaster is repaired.

Attended weekly meeting of the First Presidency & the Twelve from 11:00 A.M. to about 3:00 P.M.

Bro. J. A. Widtsoe and I were appointed a committee to investigate the proposal of the Ensign Stake Presidency to divide 11th and 27th wards forming one or two new wards. Attended to business pertaining to our Temple Worker’s outing.

Invited my daughter Nerva and my Sister Nerva to accompany my wife and me to Saltair for a bath in the lake and a supper at Ship Café, leaving S.L. at 6:00 P.M. We filled this [page break] appointment and had a good visit and an enjoyable evening.