Two Additional Volumes of George F. Richards’s Journal Published
SALT LAKE CITY—The Church Historian’s Press today announced the online publication of two additional volumes of the journal of George F. Richards, who served as an apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1906 to 1950. Twelve volumes of a planned twenty-four are now available to the public.
The newly released volumes, dating from June 1908 to November 1909, document Richards’s many stake and mission visits throughout the Intermountain West. The young apostle also recorded many other aspects of his church service, including his work in the youth programs, attendance at leadership meetings, frequent sermons before a variety of congregations, and ministry to individual members, such as in counseling sessions and setting apart missionaries. Despite Richards’s full schedule, he also made time for leisure activities, especially with his large family. On July 11, 1908, he took advantage of developing technology and went with his wife and one of his children on “an Auto ride up to the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon.” The following month, he took his family “to the circus where we were well entertained.” His wife, Alice, was lovingly mentioned throughout many entries, and Richards also wrote much about the well-being and activities of his twelve living children. The entry of August 12, 1908, reports that Richards arranged to have his family photographed. He also spent considerable time visiting his aging mother.
The transcripts of the journal are available at churchhistorianspress.org/george-f-richards. Additional volumes of Richards’s journal will be published in subsequent releases until the entire journal is available.
The family of George F. and Alice R. Richards, August 1908. Top row, left to right: LeGrand, Alice Minerva, Joel, Ruby, George Franklin Jr., Sarah. Bottom row, left to right: George F. Richards holding Oliver, Nina, Alice R. Richards holding Estella, Mamie, Edna Moselle, Lucena. (Church History Library, Salt Lake City.)
About the Church Historian’s Press
The Church Historian’s Press was announced in 2008 by the Church History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Joseph Smith Papers was the first publication to bear the imprint. The press publishes works of Latter-day Saint history that meet high standards of scholarship. For more information, visit the Church Historian’s Press website.