(Reed Smoot) Prohibition was the burning issue in Utah. Heber J. Grant, George Albert Smith, and David O. McKay urged Utah communities to eliminate liquor. Smoot, who supported the local option, helped defeat statewide prohibition. As the only apostle opposing prohibition, he was strongly criticized by constituents. (1)
-- 1910
[Apostle George Albert Smith Journal] entires (sic) are infrequent often monthly (2)
-- Friday, Jan. 7, 1910
[Diary of John Henry Smith (apostle and father of George Albert Smith)] Salt Lake City
At 9:30 a.m. All of the 12 but Reed Smoot, George [Albert] Smith and C. W. Penrose were present in the Bishops building.... (3)
-- Sunday, Jan. 23, 1910
[Diary of John Henry Smith (apostle and father of George Albert Smith)] New York City
I received a letter from my son Winston F. He says my son George is very poorly. The rest of the folks are fairly well.... (3)
-- Friday, Jan. 28, 1910
[Diary of John Henry Smith (apostle and father of George Albert Smith)] ... I have been gone 20 days. I attended three religious meetings and attended 10 Civic and other meetings. I have traveled 5,739 miles.
I found my family all well and my son George is reported as being better. (3)
-- Friday, Feb. 4, 1910
[Diary of John Henry Smith (apostle and father of George Albert Smith)] ... By card from Lucy we hear George is improving. (3)
-- Wednesday, Feb 9, 1910
[Diary of John Henry Smith (apostle and father of George Albert Smith)] ... I wrote to Lucy E. W. Smith [wife of George Albert]. (3)
-- Friday, March 4, 1910
[Diary of John Henry Smith (apostle and father of George Albert Smith)] St. George, Utah
We drove to St. George and found all well but George My son who is quite weak. The weather is quite mild. (3)
-- Tuesday, March 8, 1910
[Diary of John Henry Smith (apostle and father of George Albert Smith)] St.G
George seems a little improved to day. I made a few calls. The day was very warm. (3)
-- Friday, March 11, 1910
[Diary of John Henry Smith (apostle and father of George Albert Smith)] St.G
George had a nervious night. (3)
Footnotes:
1 - Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
2 - Journals of George Albert Smith
3 - White, Jean Bickmore, 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: George Albert Smith
Mormon History Timeline: The life of George Albert Smith
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
