[President George Albert Smith Journal] "At ten o'clock Sterling Sill asked for an appointment and came in to discuss front page editorial that was puglished (sic) in the Deseret Ness (sic), Sunday, March 5, reprimanding the University of Utah for the publication of a magazine called "The Pen" which contained a compilation of articles and poems and stories and distributed in connection with the centennial program of the University of Utah. Unfortunately, a number of these articles were written by people known to be bitter anti-Mormons, and condensations of some of their workds (sic) were published in this magazine, which purported to give our section of contribution of the former students of the University during he past century. The editorial was rather firmly worded and naturally caused some comment, particularly by University people. Yesterday another editorial was printed acknowledging some explanations that were made by the University and indicating that as far as the pa
per was concerned the matter was now closed. Brother Sill, Chairman of the Board of Regeants (Sic), came to discuss this matter and said that he had cme (sic) to see me because he was going up to a meeting of the Board of Regeants (Sic), had been out of town and had just returned, and found out about he editorials in the News and feels badly about them. He has not yet seen President Olpin but thought he should first talk with me. He indicated that if there are any problems as far as the University is concerned that if we were to let him know he would try to run them down. I indicated to him that it has been done now and said that next question was "What can we do to help out." Brother Sill indicated that the girl who is the editor of the Pen is now in bed with rheumatic fever and feels quite badly about what has happened. Brother Sill said that there was no excuse for the things that were printed in the Pen but that the girl thought she was doing her very best. It was observ
ed that if such a spirit continued we would have an anti-Mormon Board of Trustees, an anti-Mormon President of the University, and the old fight would be on again. Brother Sill said that he did not think Governor Lee could get Olpin out as /p. 775/ the President. He said he would rather count on Clarence Bamberger and William O'Conner than he would Ruel Thatcher. Brother Sill said that he was sorry about the editorials and thought that he would come and get my ideas on it. I said only this, "If there is anything I can do to bring about harmonyI would like to be fair, and instead of having anything happen to the school or Dr. Olpin, I would like to strengthen his hand." Brother Sill said, "I think we just ought to let the thing die, and then in a month or two when it has died down somebody might say something to help." I replied, "It is done now, and the question is how best to quiet things and go on and build up the school." Brother Sills indicated that with the benefit of o
ur conversation he would be happy now to go and meet with the board and do what he could to keep things moving along harmoniously . The other day I visited with Dr. Olpin at his home, and he showed me a letter which he had written in answer to the editorials which had been published. He felt quite keenly about it, because he was out of town at the time that the magazine was published and knew nothing of its contents, although he is listed as one of the editors. After talking with him at some length I discouraged him from publishing his letter as he had intended to do and to just let the matter drop. He thanked me for my advice and counsel." (1)
-- Mar 17-27, 1950
[President George Albert Smith Journal] Back at Laguna Beach (1)
-- Mar 25, 1950
President George Albert Smith writes, "I have not seen the Father or the Son, neither have I heard their voices in an audible way, but I have felt their presence and have enjoyed the whispering of the Still Small Voice that comes from them, the result of which has given me a testimony of the truth." (2)
-- Mar 27, 1950
Merchandising of books or other materials in L.D.S. chapels or buildings of worship against Church policy-- Salt Lake City, Utah.
Merchandising of books or other materials should not be carried on in L.D.S. Church chapels or meetinghouses. Such operations are contrary to the spirit of worship and may make the buildings subject to taxation. (3)
First Presidency letter to stake presidents: "Since our meetinghouses are tax exempt, it is most important that we should not do anything that would put them into a position where they might be assessed and we be compelled to pay taxes thereon because we were carrying on a merchandising business therein." (2)
Footnotes:
1 - Journals of George Albert Smith
2 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
3 - Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)
LDS History Chronology: George Albert Smith
Mormon History Timeline: The life of George Albert Smith
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
