History of the Word of Wisdom, Thursday, Apr 2, 1903

-- Thursday, Apr 2, 1903
[Apostle Rudger Clawson Diary] ...Elder Clawson was the first speaker. Said that he had enjoyed the spirit of our meetings. .... Tithe-paying in his opinion was the true test of a man's faith; and furthermore, men who were guilty of neglect in this matter would in all probability be guilty of neglect in other things, such as prayer, word of wisdom, &c. Felt to be one with his brethren and held himself in constant readiness to answer the calls of the First Presidency and the president of his quorum.... (1)

-- Sunday, Apr 12, 1903
[Apostle Rudger Clawson Diary] Price, Utah. Clear and cold. 8:30 a.m. Meeting of the high council at Pres. [Reuben G.] Miller's, Pres. Miller presiding. A resolution in regard to the liquor traffic was passed. The resolution provided that members of the church engaged in the saloon business and all who patronized saloons were to be handled on their fellowship, if they did not repent. A resolution to support the Mammoth Reservoir scheme and canal was also passed. By this enterprise it was shown that 10,000 acres of land would be brought under cultivation and reclaimed.... (1)

-- Thursday, Jun 11, 1903
[Apostle Rudger Clawson Diary] ...Elder Jno. H. Smith said that he attended fast meeting at the temple last Sunday a.m.; 22 testimonies were borne and it was very choice meeting. In the afternoon attended fast meeting in the 17th Ward and in the evening was present at a special meeting of the young people of the Granite Stake at the Farmers Ward. There were at least 1000 present. Speaking of the young people, Elder Smith alluded to the effort now being made to keep Saltair free from liquor. Notwithstanding this, a strong effort is being made to induce our young people to visit the Lagoon and Calder's Park. The latter place, he said, is a veritable hell-hole. It is said that some 400 people there upon a recent occasion were intoxicated.... (1)

-- Thursday, Jun 18, 1903
[Apostle Rudger Clawson Diary] Salt Lake City. Clear and warm. 10:20 a.m. Meeting at the temple. Present: Presidents Jno. R. Winder and Anthon H. Lund, and Elders Jno. H. Smith, Abraham O. Woodruff, Rudger Clawson, Reed Smoot, Hy. M. Smith, the Patriarch [John Smith], and the clerk. The brethren clothed and sang, "Jesus Once of Humble Birth." Elder Smoot was mouth in prayer, and Elder Hy. M. Smith was mouth at the altar. The brethren disrobed and sang, "Captain of Israel's Host and Guide." Minutes of June 11, 1903, were read and approved.

...Elder Woodruff said that on Saturday last he assisted in laying the southeast cornerstone of the Wellsville meeting house. In the afternoon a feast was spread for the old folks. At this point Elder Woodruff recommended that Brother [William H.] Maughan, former bishop of Wellsville, be ordained a patriarch. It was known that Brother Maughan had been addicted more or less to the use of liquor and tobacco, and it became a question of worthiness on his part to receive the patriarchal office. The matter was laid over for the present. (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

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