[Diary of John Henry Smith (apostle and father of George Albert Smith)] Salt Lake City
At 10 a.m. All of the first Presidency and Myself, George Teasdale, Reed Smoot, Hyrum M. Smith, George Albert Smith and Orson F. Whitney of the 12, Patriarch John Smith and Secretary Geo. F. Gibbs met in council.
Reports were made. Routine business gone through with. President Smith informed us that he wanted the 12 to keep aloof from other than their church duties. (1)
-- Thursday, May 30, 1907
[Diary of John Henry Smith (apostle and father of George Albert Smith)] Salt Lake City
At 10 a.m. all of the First Presidency and Prest. Francis M. Lyman, Myself, Heber J. Grant, Rudger Clawson, Reed Smoot, Hyrum M. Smith, George Albert Smith, G. F. Richards, Orson F. Whitney and David O. McKay of the Twelve and Secretary Geo. F. Gibbs [met].
At 1 p.m.S.B. Young, B. H. Roberts, R. S. Wells, Jos. W. McMurrin and Charles H. Hart joined us.
The bad grammar and bad spelling in the Book of Mormon was discussed and a theory by Bro. B. H. Roberts was Considered and we concluded to meet tomorrow.
We were together for eight hours. (1)
-- May 31, 1907
[Apostle George Albert Smith Journal] he departs SLC for Palmyra, New York, to investigate the possibility of purchasing the Hill Cumorah (2)
-- June 7, 1907
[Apostle George Albert Smith Journal] "Palmyra N.Y. Friday June 7 clear Spent the day with Mr. Sexton accompanied by [wife] Lucy. We drove all over the country, and visited with several men. Russell T. Stoddard (Son of Russel Stoddard) about 60 years of age Said he heard his Father say he built the Smith house for Jos Smith Senior assisted by others. They lived about a '½ mile from the Smith farm.
"Wm Wallace Miner aquainted (Sic) with surrounding country 60 years of age. Remembered when Hill Cumorah was covered by trees. He said the Chase farm and Smith farm joined. Pointed out a spot where he siad (sic) a well and cave were dug on the Chase farm. Thot (sic) Joseph got the peep stone at this well and abandoned the cave to dig on the farm of Whipple [p. 179] where Miner now lives. Miner remembered a door to said cave and had been in it himself about 25 feet but it is now covered over. He has the spot marked where the opening was. He told of a cooper shop and log house on the Smith farm which is the N.W. corner of the town of Manchester. Hill Cumorah was owned by Robt Robinson when Joseph secured the plates afterward owned as follows
Randall Robinson
Ausax "
Edwin "
Auson Parker
Wm. T Sampson (Admiral)
Pliny T Sexton
Edmond Reynolds remembered the hill Cumorah when it was covered by tress and had seen an excavation where it was said the plates came from. Common repute that Smith farm is the one owned by Chapman W.A." (2)
-- June 10, 1907
[Apostle George Albert Smith Journal] "Plymyra (sic) N.Y. Monday June 10/07 clear Awoke feeling well. Had a long talk with W Avery Chapman about purchasing his farm and closed the deal with him during the day for $20,000. He is to remain on the premises until Apl 1. 08 under a lease from me. The people of the town are curious and some are quite concerned about our visit. Ashby Snow and German E. Ellsworth were present and indorsed my action as did my wife Lucy W Smith. The property is in good condition and is a beaufiful (sic) farm. It is where the Father and Son appeared to Joseph the Prophet and the Angel Moroni also. Part of the Book of Mormon was translated here. I am not very strong physically." (2)
-- June 11, 1907
[Apostle George Albert Smith Journal] "At 5 P.M. Pliny T Sexton called for us with a nice carriage and drove us to his office to inspect the Printers (Sic) copy of the first edition of the B. of M. He treated us very well and on being informed that we had bought the Chapman farm said he was glad and further said the Hill Cumorah would likely come to us some day." (2)
-- During 1907 June
George Albert Smith purchased 100-acre Smith Farm in Manchester, New York, for the Church. (3)
-- July 2, 1907
[Apostle George Albert Smith Journal] returned to SLC (2)
-- Aug 8-Aug 20, 1907
[Apostle George Albert Smith Journal] he is in Canadian settlements with Rudger Clawson (2)
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 - Journals of George Albert Smith
3 - Hemidakaota, "Church Chronology from 1800-2000," http://www.lds.net/forums/scripture-study-forum/12108-church-chronology-1800-2000-part-1-a.html#post214550
LDS History Chronology: George Albert Smith
Mormon History Timeline: The life of George Albert Smith
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
