[Diary of John Henry Smith (apostle and father of George Albert Smith)] Salt Lake City
The Semi Annual Conference convened in the Tabernacle at 10 a.m. Today. All of the £trst Presidency and Francis M. Lyman, Myself, Rudger Clawson, Hyrum M. Smith, George [Albert] Smith and C. W. Penrose of the Apostles and the Patriarch of the church John Smith and other brethren present. Many of the stakes were fully represented. (1)
-- Oct 12, 1904
[Apostle George Albert Smith Journal] "Performed the Marriage Ceremony uniting Gottlieb Van Gunter [Gunten?] and Sarah Orilla Parrish as husband and wife." (2)
-- Oct 26, 1904
Apostle George Albert Smith instructs Salt Lake stake prayer circle: "Among some women the practice of removing the garments from the neck and arms and tying them behind the back was common. These were serious faults, and might result in the offenders being disfellowshipped." (3)
-- Friday, Dec. 9, 1904
[Diary of John Henry Smith (apostle and father of George Albert Smith)] Salt Lake City
Prest. Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, A. H. Lund, F. M. Lyman, Myself, Hyrum M. and George [Albert] Smith, B. H. Roberts, James E. Talinage & C. W. Penrose spent the day reading and studying the Doctrines of the Church. (1)
-- Sunday, Dec. 18, 1904
[Diary of John Henry Smith (apostle and father of George Albert Smith)] Washington, D.C.
I attended the Catholic church. I wrote to my son George [Albert] Smith. In the evening I took a Turkish bath. (1)
-- 1905
[Apostle George Albert Smith Journal] "12 Apostles should be Americans." (2)
George Albert Smith told John W. Taylor of the revelation to apostle Francis M. Lyman warning Taylor not to travel to Washington D.C. to testify about polygamy. (4)
-- Thursday, Jan. 12, 1905
[Diary of John Henry Smith (apostle and father of George Albert Smith)] Salt Lake City
I met with the brethren in the Temple. All of the First Presidency and F. M. Lyman, Myself, Rudger Clawson, Hyrum M. Smith, George [Albert] Smith and C. W. Penrose of the Twelve & Patriarch John Smith were present. Secretary G. F. Gibbs also present. Francis M. Lyman reported his trip to Canada and I mine to El Paso, Texas. Prayer by prest. John R. Winder. Mouth at the Altar Francis M. Lyman.
We transacted all routine business. We then partook of the sacrament, George [Albert] Smith asking a blessing on the same. (1)
-- February, 1905
[George Albert Smith] George Albert told Reed Smoot's secretary that no action would be taken against Apostles Taylor and Cowley [for continued performance of post-manifesto plural marriages]. (4)
-- February 8, 1905; Monday
Some of our people are uneasy and feel that they want to the Church to begin handling some members for their standing and that without delay. It is usually those however who are self righteous, but who are themselves not living as they should, and who would object seriously if the strict rule of the Church were applied to them.
To take hasty action with reference to some men whose names have figured prominently in the investigation, would only add fuel to the flame and would gratify the sensation-monger unnecessarily. The Church will not do anything simply to curry favor, but will handle its affairs in its own way and not at the dictation of the rabble. It will do what is right because it is right and not because it is forced: consequently it will take its own time in its own affairs. (5)
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 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
4 - "Plural Marriages After the 1890 ManifestO" by D. Michael Quinn, 11 August 1991
5 - George Albert Smith, letter to Carl A. Badger, Carl A. Badger Papers, Lee Library
LDS History Chronology: George Albert Smith
Mormon History Timeline: The life of George Albert Smith
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
