-- Thursday, Dec. 31, 1903
[Diary of John Henry Smith (apostle and father of George Albert Smith)] Salt Lake City
I went with both of my wives out to the Granite Stake house to a Banquet. We had a great time. All went as merry as a Marriage Bell. ...
The year has been fairly prosperous for me and the general health of my family has been fair. Two of my sons are on Missions and doing nicely. We have built Josephine a house out of her own money at a cost of nearly $8,000.00. I am gratefull to the Lord for his goodness to me and mine. My son George A. & Wife took a trip to Europe. He has been elevated to the Apostleship. (1)
-- During 1903
(George Albert Smith) Called to the Quorum of the Twelve by Joseph F. Smith after the death of Brigham Young, Jr., fulfilling an 1882 promise by Patriarch Zebedee Coltrin that Smith would "become a mighty prophet in the midst of the sons of Zion." (2)
(George Albert Smith) When President Smith sought the approval of George Albert's father for his choice, Apostle John Henry was hesitant: "I told him if it was a political office I would advise against it but I could not stand in the way of the suggestions of the spirit to him."They were the only father and son combination to serve in the same Quorum of the Twelve.
Just after ordination, Elder Smith listed the guidelines by which he intended to live his life: "I would not seek to force people to live up to my ideals, but rather love them into doing the thing that is right ... I would not be an enemy to any living soul." (2)
In 1903, at the age of thirty-three, George Albert Smith was named to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles of the LDS Church, in which capacity he worked with the YMMIA, with church missions, and with scouting, serving as a member of the executive board of the national council. He was also vice-president of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and founding president of the Utah Pioneer Trails and Landmarks Association, and he helped organize the American Pioneer Trails Association. (3)
-- 1904
[Apostle George Albert Smith Journal] "3 months ago in Conf Prand [sic?] Law for day & week Danger is not in being caught but in undermining our faith."
***
"Brethren seemed to lean on President
"No need of New contracts
"President Smith didn't know what was the matter Had a right to."
***
"Church Not responsible for individual action
Manifesto Res in conf
"Covenant breakers
"Can things be done in any place with KGJ. (4)
-- Wednesday, Jan. 6, 1904
[Diary of John Henry Smith (apostle and father of George Albert Smith)] Salt Lake City
President Jos. F. Smith and daughter, Prest. A. H. Lund & son, Coy. Wells and Wife, General C. S. Burton & Wife, Bp. T. R. Cutler & Wife, W. S. McCornick, Joseph Geoghegan, George [Albert] Smith and wife, George Alfred Smith, Myself & Wife Sarah F. and others Went in a special Car to the Sugar Co. Power plant in Bear River and found it in excelent shape. We had lunch on the train on our way to the Sugar Factory at Garland. When we reached the factory a large concourse of people were present. Gov. H. M. Wells, Presidents J. F. Smith and Lund and Bp. T. R. Cutler spoke to the people. We all went through the factory. Our train returned to Salt Lake City reaching there at 7:30 p.m. (1)
-- Jan 7, 1904
[Member of the Quorm of Twelve] Church president instructs twelve apostles to walk through doorways in order of seniority. Protocol follows technology as church buildings and temples install elevators. (5)
-- Jan 31, 1904
[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill Diary] Sunday. Richmond. At home. Apostle George [Albert] Smith came to see me. Held two meetings in Richmond with full house each time. (6)
Footnotes:
1 - 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
2 - Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
3 - Utah History Encyclopedia: George Albert Smith, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/s/SMITH%2CGEORGE.html
4 - Journals of George Albert Smith
5 - Advent Adam website (defunct) - based on http://amzn.to/originsofpower
6 - Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
LDS History Chronology: George Albert Smith
Mormon History Timeline: The life of George Albert Smith
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
