[Apostle Rudger Clawson Diary] ...At the close of the meeting we called the brethren and sisters together who had been chosen to fill the various offices of the stake. There were 31 present. I spoke and questioned the brethren as to whether they felt to sustain the First Presidency and Apostles, and also as to whether they paid their tithing and kept the word of wisdom. It developed that there was one brother present who failed to keep the Word of Wisdom, but he promised to do so in the future. Apostle Cowley admonished the brethren against profanity. (1)
-- Sunday, Aug 11, 1901
[Apostle Rudger Clawson Diary] Oakley. Clear and warm, but cool at night. 2 p.m. Continuation of [Cassia Stake] Conference, Pres. Wm. T. Jack presiding.
I made remarks. Topics treated. Regrets. Also the evil of a wasted life, giving the example of a young man who had entered into the higher law, having had two lovely wives and some fine children. He was also gifted with a talent for music (instrumental). This man committed himself, went into darkness, lost his wives and children and hope of future reward, dying in the gutter, the victim of alcohol.
Closing remarks were made by Pres. Jack. Thus dosed an interesting and instructive conference. (1)
-- Aug 11, 1901
Of men attending stake priesthood meeting, one-third admit they do not observe Word of Wisdom. (2)
-- Sunday, Aug 25, 1901
[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] Hyrum, Cache County
At 9 a.m. the Sunday School convened in the Grove on the Square. I spoke to them for a short time.
At 10 a.m. the Hyrum Stake conference convened. M. W. Merrill, Prest. Morrell of Cache stake and J. Golden Kimball and myself were in attendance.
Praycr by Patriarch Henry Hughes. Several of the brethren and Sisters spoke and I followed for about 25 minutes. Benediction by H. C. Jackson
3 p.m. Prayer by O. N. Liljenquist. The sacrament was administered. J. Golden Kimball and M. W. Merrill took up the time in good talks. Benediction by Elias S. Kimball.
At 7:30 p.m. we held a young people's Conference.
Prayer by Chas. C. Shaw. The speakers were John H. Maughan, Willard Israelson, Orson M. Wilson, Annie M. Ralph and Rose Liljenquist. J. Golden Kimball and I spoke. I made a talk on the Word of Wisdom. Benediction by Prest. Wm. C. Parkinson. (3)
-- Thursday, Oct 24, 1901
[Apostle Rudger Clawson Diary] ...After some discussion it was decided that the balance due on the Brigham Young Memorial be brought forward and presented at the special conference on Nov. 10th. At this juncture Elder Hyrum M. Smith came in, and Apostle Jno. H. Smith by request informed him that he had been chosen an apostle and proceeded to deliver the usual charge, in brief as follows, to wit:
Brother Hyrum Smith, it is presumed that you are a moral man, that you observe the word of wisdom, that you subscribe to the principles of the gospel, that you accept the principle of plural marriage, and that you uphold and sustain in your heart the First Presidency, the Twelve, the patriarch, and other general authorities of the church. You are to be ready at any time to go and to come at the call of the Presidency. Your heart must be given to your God, your loyalty must never be questioned. You must be God-fearing, honest, just, and a tithe-payer.... (1)
Footnotes:
1 - Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson
2 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
3 - Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith
LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom
Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
