[President George Albert Smith Journal] "Dr. John A.Widtsoe came to my office about 12:45, at my invitation, and I went over with him a letter which I just received from Francis Kirkham having reference to some research work which he ahs (sic) been doing and also the forth coming publication of a book by Dale Morgan which will have much anti-Church information in it. Brother Widtsoe said that he would follow through on this matter with Brother Kirkham looking to an early publication of the material which has been compiled by Brother Kirkham. This material should do much to refute and off set the information contained in Dale Morgan's book." (1)
-- Sept 24, 1949
[President George Albert Smith Journal] "I came to the office at 9:30; after reading the mroning (sic) mail Brother Ervin Millgare (sic), formerly of Salt Lake City, and now of New York, a member of the National Scout staff, came in to see me. Brother Millgate is a member of the Church and has been quite successful in Scout work. He is in charge of the Visual Education Department of the National Council. Brother Millgate came in the interest of Scouting and in an attempt to be of whatever assistance possible in working out an adjustment program in the matter of age change in Scouting, particularly some problems occaisioned (sic) by lowering the age to eleven and the problems as far as the Aaronic Priesthood and Scout coordination program. These two programs have always gone hand in hand, and this will of course will necessitate some rather radical changes in our whole set up and will effect not only the M.I.A. but he Primary as well, because the Primary now takes care of the
eleven year old boys in their Trailbuilder work. Brother Millgate did not feel that there were any great problems that could not be satisfactorily resolved. I tried to get from him an expression as to what he thought was behind such a change and he maintained that it was purely one born out of a desire to be of greater help to the boys. When I indicated that I did not think we had perhaps been given sufficient notice as to the proposed or intented (sic) change he did not seem to agree. He pointed out that Judge Campbell of Chicago had been one of our greatest champions; when the matter did come up for a vote it was he who succeeded in getting Elbert R.Curtis a hearing before the National Executive Board. Nevertheless Judge Campbell, as well as all others, voted for the change and against us. I asked Brother Millgate why the change had been made, and he said it had been asked in the field. I asked, "By whom," and he replied, "Well, particularly the big cities." I asked him ho
w much the Catholic Church had had to do with it, and he became rather exercised. He assured me that he did not think they had anything to do with it. I then asked him who were some of the greatest powers of influence in these large cities who he said had asked for this change, and questioned whether or not these would not represent a Catholic influence. He indicated that he thought it was quite unfair to even suspect that the Catholics would be guilty of such action. John D. Giles, who had an appointment immediately following that of Brother Millgate, came in while we were still discussing the problem, and he joined in the discussion of the Scout question. After Brother Millgate left, I talked with John D. Giles concerning some monument matters and some problems with reference to materials and landmarks association." (1)
-- Sep 30, 1949
General conference is broadcast on television for the first time. (2)
-- Oct 9, 1949
[President George Albert Smith Journal] Sunday, "Emily, Edith [daughters] and I left the house about 9:30, drove past Arthur's home and picked him up at ten o'clock and we then drove directly to Grantsville to the home of President J. Reuben Clark's home, arriving there at 11:00 a.m We met there the stake presidency and the bishopric of the two wards there. We had an informal visit for about a half hour and then sat down to a very lovely lunch prepared by President Clark's daughter, Louise Bennion, the widow of Captain Mervin Bennion who was killed at Pearl Harbor. I then lay down and had a short rest and at two o'clock we attended the dedication services of the Grantsville First Ward." (1)
-- Oct 16, 1949
[President George Albert Smith Journal] In a meeting with Lord Otani of Japan, head of a branch of the Buddhist Church in Japan with 60 million members, "I then presented to Lord and Lady Otani some tracts, a copy of The Book of Mormon, my own book, Sharing the Gospel with Others and a book What of the Mormons. They seemed very happy to receive these and made several favorable comments. They said we know that during and since the war there was and has been a great anti-Japanese feeling throughout the United States and other parts of the world, but in Utah this feeling has not existed, but there has been one of tolerance and charity and respect, and they are confident that this fine feeling and expression of brotherly love in Utah is a direct result of the influence of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints upon the people of that state." (1)
Footnotes:
1 - Journals of George Albert Smith
2 - The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com
LDS History Chronology: George Albert Smith
Mormon History Timeline: The life of George Albert Smith
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
