-- Nov 10, 1896
The First Presidency at their Office this morning were waited upon by County Attorney C. O. Whittemore, who introduced Miss Virginia Dodge, a writer and agent of the National Republican committee. She was visiting Utah and other Western States. Elder C[harles]. W. Penrose was instructed to give her such information as she desired, and she was also supplied with Church works. A special car was run out to Saltair for her accommodation. [November 12, 1896; Journal History; Franklin D. Richards, Diary; Brigham Young Jr., Diary; Marriner Wood Merrill, Diary]
The Presidency and Apostles met at the Temple at 11 A.M. Present: Presidents [Wilford] Woodruff, [George Q.] Cannon, [Joseph F.] Smith and [Lorenzo] Snow; Elders F[ranklin]. D. Richards, B[righam]. Young [Jr.], F[rancis]. M. Lyman, J[ohn]. H[enry]. Smith, G[eorge]. Teasdale, H[eber]. J. Grant, M[arriner]. W[ood]. Merrill, and A[nthon]. H. Lund.
President Snow informed the Council that he had received a long letter from Brother Moses Thatcher. He had also held a conversation with him last Saturday on the train between Salt Lake and Brigham City [Utah]. Brother Thatcher talked a long time, and was full of complaints about President Cannon and Brother Brigham for stating that Brother Thatcher was in rebellion. He listened until he thought Brother Thatcher had finished, but as soon as he endeavored to speak, Brother Thatcher would interrupt him, until he had to request that he be allowed to speak without interruption. Brother Thatcher was very angry, and insisted that he should know what the Church had against him. President Snow said Brother Thatcher was entirely devoid of the spirit of his Apostleship and he told him so, and pointed out the only way in which he could regain it and get the fellowship of his brethren. President Snow felt that the time had come when action should be taken on Brother Thatcher's case, and suggested that the Twelve meet for that purpose at an early date. He would be in favor of immediate action, but learned that Brother Thatcher was at the bedside of his eldest son who was dangerously sick. He considered Brother Thatcher worthy of excommunication, but in view of the sympathy toward him of some of the people, it would be perhaps unwise to proceed to that extremity. The letter from Brother Thatcher was then read as follows:
Logan City, Cache Co[unty]., Utah.
November 11th, 1896. Elder Lorenzo Snow, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Members of the Quorum, Salt Lake City, Utah. Dear Brethren: —
By way of preface to a request I am about to make of you, my brethren, I humbly ask your attention while I review, briefly the reasons which lead me to make it.
My name was regularly presented to the people and I was regularly sustained in my position in the Church until the 6th day of April, 1896. On that day at noon, and never before, a document was presented to me for my signature. I was then confined to my room with what I considered at the time a fatal illness. I was given about one hour and thirty minutes within which to consider a matter of vital importance, not only to myself, but, in my opinion, to the people. I could not see my way clear to sign it without stultification, and I so informed you by letter. In about two hours from that time my name was dropped from the list of Apostles presented to the conference for confirmation. No reason for your action was given and my letter of explanation was, for reasons best known to yourselves, suppressed.
Matters went on in this way until, a day or two before the funeral of our lamented Brother, Abraham H. Cannon, I called upon President Woodruff and told him I desired to be relieved of all responsibility for a while in order to regain my health and strength. He acquiesced. Subsequently I was informed by Brother C[harles]. W. Penrose that the brethren were willing for me to lay aside all care and go away if I desired and that nothing further would be done concerning my standing until I should be fully restored to health, if it took six months, a year, or even two years. And these representations of Brother Penrose have since been confirmed by several members of our Quorum.
I then went to Logan Canyon where I remained about six weeks. While there rumors began to circulate that my case would be taken up notwithstanding the promises which had been given me. These rumors did not reach me at the time but they reached my son, Moses Thatcher Jr. who at once went to the city where he called at President Woodruff's office in company with his Brother Preston and Bishop W[illiam]. B. Preston. While waiting for an opportunity to see President Woodruff Brother Brigham Young entered and to him my son told the object of his visit. Then Brother Young went into the President's Office, after a while President Snow, Apostles Richards, Young and Smith, Bishop Preston and others came out from President Woodruff's office and assured my son that they had delivered his message to President Woodruff and that he and all the brethren present had unanimously decided that nothing whatever would be done in my matter until I felt mentally and physically able to meet with the brethren. President Snow bade my son to convey me that message which he did by returning home and driving to my camp 30 miles up Logan Canyon. When President Woodruff at that meeting was reminded of his former promise to me he said he had not seen me and that I had not called on him for many months. Bishop Preston reminded him of my visit a day or so before Brother Abraham H. Cannon's funeral and of our conversation at the time, whereupon he recalled the circumstances and then said that he remembered distinctly what had transpired on that occasion.
181
Had it not been for the assurances and reassurances given me I would have attended the conference before which, in my absence, I was publicly accused.
Upon my return to Logan from the canyon I was dumbfounded on reading and hearing reports of the treatment I had received at conference. Feeling, however, that there might be some reason unknown to me for your apparent change of mind, for making my case public and for your statements concerning me, I went to Salt Lake on purpose to ascertain the truth if possible. On my way to the office of President Woodruff October 14th, I met Brother Franklin D. Richards. I told him I expected to meet with my Quorum at their regular meeting on the following day. He replied that they would be delighted to have me. I asked if there could be any objection to it. He assured me there would not be, and that he could vote for it with both hands.
Accordingly I went to the Temple next day at the regular hour and was informed that the presidency of the Church had given orders not to admit me into the Temple. I was surprised and grieved but one thought consoled me and that was that during the last six months of the construction of the Temple, now closed against me, I had given $3,500.00 towards its completion and if I had it to do over again I would give even more. No reason was given for refusing me admittance; no explanation was offered, not even by the one who had assured me of a welcome with both hands.
I went home distressed and with such a flood of sorrow in my heart compared with which the pain and sufferings of five years were like a drop to the ocean. I asked God for light and wisdom; I searched the innermost depths of my soul; I reviewed my whole life and my record in the Church to find some excuse for the action taken but in vain. As it seemed I was cut off from communication with you in very way, I wrote to the President of my Quorum asking what my brethren had against me, pleading humbly and respectfully to the charges, specifically stated, that I might have a chance to prove my innocence or prove guilty.
Before I heard from you I had gone to Logan with the intention of visiting my brother who resides in Idaho. While in Logan word reached me that Brother Franklin D. Richards had called at my home in Salt Lake City to see me. He left word that my Quorum desired me to meet with them and thought that such meeting might be arranged in the Temple annex if I would name the day when I could be present. I immediately sent word to him that I did not desire to set the time, but would leave the time and place of meeting with the Quorum, desiring to conform to their convenience. Not hearing anything further about the matter I returned to Salt Lake City where I waited several days and wrote you again, meantime receiving the following answer to my request for specific charges:
"Holiness to the Lord
Salt Lake Temple.
Salt Lake City, Utah, Oct[ober]. 23rd, 1896. Box 18. Elder Moses Thatcher, City. Dear Brother:
Your communication of the 16th instant was received by me on the 19th, and its contents carefully noted.
182
Since the writing of your letter the full stenographic report of the remarks of the brethren made at our late General Conference has been published in the Deseret News, in which their feelings concerning you are quite fully expressed; and you not having read these published remarks prior to the writing of your communication I take it for granted that it will not be necessary for me to explain or answer further.
With kindest regards,
Your brother,
Lorenzo Snow."
This communication changed the face of the whole matter, because in it I am cited to the public press to read the accusations made against me in public meetings before the Saints in General Conference assembled and before the world. I am told to go to a newspaper and there read what my brethren have said about me and against me, and to these public utterances published to all mankind I am to make my answer.
But, owing to the word sent me by Brother F[ranklin]. D. Richards, I still thought you might possibly have other communications to make, outside of the public declarations to which you referred me in your letter of Oct[ober]. 23rd, and being in the city in response to that request, I therefore wrote you on the 4th of November asking for information as to when that meeting would be called.
In reply I received a letter from you, President Snow, dated November 6th, 1896, in which you repeat in full your letter of Oct[ober]. 23rd, thus indicating that the public declarations made in conference covered all the charges against me; you say further that you had hoped I would write no more after receiving your letter of Oct[ober]. 23, and that I should have lost no time in seeking you personally after receiving that letter and that you, one and all were disappointed at my lack of wisdom after receiving that letter, and that therefore the temple was closed against me on the 15th of October. Believe me, it is hard to understand how any supposed disregard of a letter written October 23rd should cause the temple to be closed against me on the 15th of the same month, or eight days before.
Be this as it may, I desire to make a simple request of you, to which, I am sure, your sense of justice and honor will acquiesce. It is this: As I was accused in public I desire to meet the charges in public. Although the judges before whom I am to be arranged have nearly all expressed an opinion as to the merits of my case; although my accusers are to sit in judgment over me; although a verdict has already been delivered against me without a hearing and in the most public manner; still will I be willing to submit my case to them, to place in their keeping, not only my life but that which is dearer to me than life,—only asking for the defence the same publicity which has been given the prosecution.
It has been written, "If any shall offend in secret he shall be rebuked in secret," but I have been rebuked in public and therefore ask a hearing in public. I am moved to make this request, not only because my brethren have one after another accused me before congregations of saints, nor because the door of the Temple has been closed in my face, nor because Bro[ther]. Joseph F. Smith in the last Logan Conference classed me as one of the enemies of the church and publicly reprimanded my former bishop for mentioning me in his prayers; but also because in the conversation with Pres[iden]t. Lorenzo Snow, on the train between Salt Lake and Brigham City last Saturday, Nov[ember]. 7th, I was given the
183 impression that I have absolutely nothing to hope for in any other than a public hearing, such as I now request. I shall not trouble my brethren, therefore, to convene in a special meeting named for Thursday at 2 o'clock p.m. in the Historian's Office.
In conclusion, brethren, I desire to say that nothing could shake my faith in the everlasting Gospel. All the trials and afflictions through which I have passed leave me firm in my belief. I am devoted to my church, my people and my God. I have willingly made every sacrifice required of me. I have given freely of my time and means to the upbuilding of the Kingdom of God. I have never shirked a responsibility placed upon me. If I have done wrong it is because I am mortal, but I bear no consciousness of wrongful intent. If I have not been in harmony with my brethren of the Quorum of the Twelve on religious matters I was not aware of it till their public declarations to that effect. Have not frequent authoritative declarations been made in public during the past few years as the perfect harmony existing between all the members of the Quorum and between them and the First Presidency? With those made so often in sacred places you are familiar. It is very hard to understand why, in the face of these, the public should now be informed that we have not been in harmony for years.
Brethren this matter may seem trivial to you, for in your hands is placed the judgment, while I stand in the position of a victim. Misapprehension as to the motives prompting my action during all the years of my official life may be the result of mis- information; and prejudice, once aroused, increases, as you know, like an avalanche. If there is aught in word or act of mine since I have been a member of the church that I would not have published upon the housetops I do not know it; and yet I am aware that any man is liable to become darkened in his mind, who, nevertheless, may still desire to do right and be just in all things. Therefore, I beseech you, let mercy have its claims, then award to Justice, under the laws of God, all its demands; remembering always that it is a serious matter to judge even in small concerns, but it becomes of great magnitude when involving that which is more precious than life.
I am, Respectfully,
Your brother and fellow-laborer,
Moses Thatcher." The opinion was expressed by brethren present that the letter was full of the spirit of hypocrisy, and it was plain that Brother Thatcher did not intend to meet with the quorum. President Woodruff repeated what he had several times said before, that the Twelve would have to deal with Brother Thatcher. President Cannon expressed the opinion that the letter was written for publication, the intent being to make it appear that injustice was done Brother Thatcher when they take action upon his case. It was unanimously decided that the following notice should be served upon Brother Thatcher:
Nov[ember]. 12th, 1896. Elder Moses Thatcher, Logan. Dear Brother: —
This is to notify you that at a meeting of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles held today, it was resolved that as you are not in fellowship with the Council your case will be called up for consideration and action at a meeting to be held for that purpose at 10 A.M. on Thursday, the 19th inst., at the Historian's Office this City.
With kind regards,
Your brother,
Lorenzo Snow. Elder Geo[rge]. Teasdale was appointed to take charge of the prayer circle formerly presided over by Elder Abraham H. Cannon. At council of 3 presidents & all the 11 except Moses Thatcher. A letter of 6 pages of type writing dated yesterday at Logan [Utah] from Br[other] M[oses]. Thatcher was read in which he declines to meet the council at Historian's office & requests a public hearing. After consideration it was decided to inform him that a C[ouncil]. of Apostles will meet to hear or take action in his case on Thursday the 19th at 10 am in H[istorian's] O[ffice] Building. Heard letter from Senator Redfield Proctor on politics.
Met in Temple; long letter from Bro[ther]. Moses Thatcher. He declines to meet his Quorum any more, says he must be examined public before the people. Makes a number of mis[s]tatements so we proved by Bro[ther] F[ranklin] D R[ichards. and Pres[ident] L[orenzo]. Snows letters. Informed him to appear that his case would be handled at His[torian's] office in one week from today. at least that is the tenor of the note dispatched. Pres[iden]t. [Wilford] Woodruff remarked to Council that "Bro[ther] M[oses]. T[hathcer]. would not yeild to his brethren." Now it looks like he was giving his apostleship for a bare chance of getting into the U.S. Senate. Poor man how our hearts ache for him and his family. God help them for Moses is beyond reach. I attended Council Meeting at 11 AM in the Temple the First Presidency and 9 Apostles were Present Viz L[orenzo] Snow, F[ranklin]. D Richards, B[righam] Young [Jr.], F[rancis] M Lyman, J[ohn] H[enry] Smith H[eber] J Grant Geo[rge] Teasdale, Antone Lund M[arriner]. W[ood]. Merrill, Moses Thatcher was notified to be present but failed to come sent a long communication &c. councel decided to give Him another chance to Meet with His Quorum and if He did Not come action in His case would be taken so adj[ourned] to Nov[ember] 19th Thursday at 10 am in the Historians Office Salt Lake City. (1)
-- Nov 12, 1896; Thursday
The Presidency and Apostles met at the Temple at 11 A.M. Present: Presidents [Wilford] Woodruff, [George Q.] Cannon, [Joseph F.] Smith and [Lorenzo] Snow; Elders F[ranklin]. D. Richards, B[righam]. Young [Jr.],
F[rancis]. M. Lyman, J[ohn]. H[enry]. Smith, G[eorge]. Teasdale, H[eber]. J. Grant, M[arriner]. W[ood]. Merrill, and A[nthon]. H. Lund.
President Snow informed the Council that he had received a long letter from Brother Moses Thatcher. He had also held a conversation with him last Saturday on the train between Salt Lake and Brigham City [Utah]. Brother Thatcher talked a long time, and was full of complaints about President Cannon and Brother Brigham for stating that Brother Thatcher was in rebellion. He listened until he thought Brother Thatcher had finished, but as soon as he endeavored to speak, Brother Thatcher would interrupt him, until he had to request that he be allowed to speak without interruption. Brother Thatcher was very angry, and insisted that he should know what the Church had against him. President Snow said Brother Thatcher was entirely devoid of the spirit of his Apostleship and he told him so, and pointed out the only way in which he could regain it and get the fellowship of his brethren. President Snow felt that the time had come when action should be taken on Brother Thatcher's case, and suggested that the Twelve meet for that purpose at an early date. He would be in favor of immediate action, but learned that Brother Thatcher was at the bedside of his eldest son who was dangerously sick. He considered Brother Thatcher worthy of excommunication, but in view of the sympathy toward him of some of the people, it would be perhaps unwise to proceed to that extremity. The letter from Brother Thatcher was then read as follows:
Logan City, Cache Co[unty]., Utah.
November 11th, 1896.
Elder Lorenzo Snow,
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and
Members of the Quorum,
Salt Lake City, Utah.
Dear Brethren: --
By way of preface to a request I am about to make of you, my brethren, I humbly ask your attention while I review, briefly the reasons which lead me to make it.
My name was regularly presented to the people and I was regularly sustained in my position in the Church until the 6th day of April, 1896. On that day at noon, and never before, a document was presented to me for my signature. I was then confined to my room with what I considered at the time a fatal illness. I was given about one hour and thirty minutes within which to consider a matter of vital importance, not only to myself, but, in my opinion, to the people. I could not see my way clear to sign it without stultification, and I so informed you by letter. In about two hours from that time my name was dropped from the list of Apostles presented to the conference for confirmation. No reason for your action was given and my letter of explanation was, for reasons best known to yourselves, suppressed.
Matters went on in this way until, a day or two before the funeral of our lamented Brother, Abraham H. Cannon, I called upon President Woodruff and told him I desired to be relieved of all responsibility for a while in order to regain my
health and strength. He acquiesced. Subsequently I was informed by Brother C[harles]. W. Penrose that the brethren were willing for me to lay aside all care and go away if I desired and that nothing further would be done concerning my standing until I should be fully restored to health, if it took six months, a year, or even two years. And these representations of Brother Penrose have since been confirmed by several members of our Quorum.
I then went to Logan Canyon where I remained about six weeks. While there rumors began to circulate that my case would be taken up notwithstanding the promises which had been given me. These rumors did not reach me at the time but they reached my son, Moses Thatcher Jr. who at once went to the city where he called at President Woodruff's office in company with his Brother Preston and Bishop W[illiam]. B. Preston. While waiting for an opportunity to see President Woodruff Brother Brigham Young entered and to him my son told the object of his visit. Then Brother Young went into the President's Office, after a while President Snow, Apostles Richards, Young and Smith, Bishop Preston and others came out from President Woodruff's office and assured my son that they had delivered his message to President Woodruff and that he and all the brethren present had unanimously decided that nothing whatever would be done in my matter until I felt mentally and physically able to meet with the brethren. President Snow bade my son to convey me that message which he did by returning home and driving to my camp 30 miles up Logan Canyon. When President Woodruff at that meeting was reminded of his former promise to me he said he had not seen me and that I had not called on him for many months. Bishop Preston reminded him of my visit a day or so before Brother Abraham H. Cannon's funeral and of our conversation at the time, whereupon he recalled the circumstances and then said that he remembered distinctly what had transpired on that occasion.
Had it not been for the assurances and reassurances given me I would have attended the conference before which, in my absence, I was publicly accused.
Upon my return to Logan from the canyon I was dumbfounded on reading and hearing reports of the treatment I had received at conference. Feeling, however, that there might be some reason unknown to me for your apparent change of mind, for making my case public and for your statements concerning me, I went to Salt Lake on purpose to ascertain the truth if possible. On my way to the office of President Woodruff October 14th, I met Brother Franklin D. Richards. I told him I expected to meet with my Quorum at their regular meeting on the following day. He replied that they would be delighted to have me. I asked if there could be any objection to it. He assured me there would not be, and that he could vote for it with both hands.
Accordingly I went to the Temple next day at the regular hour and was informed that the presidency of the Church had given orders not to admit me into the Temple. I was surprised and
grieved but one thought consoled me and that was that during the last six months of the construction of the Temple, now closed against me, I had given $3,500.00 towards its completion and if I had it to do over again I would give even more. No reason was given for refusing me admittance; no explanation was offered, not even by the one who had assured me of a welcome with both hands.
I went home distressed and with such a flood of sorrow in my heart compared with which the pain and sufferings of five years were like a drop to the ocean. I asked God for light and wisdom; I searched the innermost depths of my soul; I reviewed my whole life and my record in the Church to find some excuse for the action taken but in vain. As it seemed I was cut off from communication with you in very way, I wrote to the President of my Quorum asking what my brethren had against me, pleading humbly and respectfully to the charges, specifically stated, that I might have a chance to prove my innocence or prove guilty.
Before I heard from you I had gone to Logan with the intention of visiting my brother who resides in Idaho. While in Logan word reached me that Brother Franklin D. Richards had called at my home in Salt Lake City to see me. He left word that my Quorum desired me to meet with them and thought that such meeting might be arranged in the Temple annex if I would name the day when I could be present. I immediately sent word to him that I did not desire to set the time, but would leave the time and place of meeting with the Quorum, desiring to conform to their convenience. Not hearing anything further about the matter I returned to Salt Lake City where I waited several days and wrote you again, meantime receiving the following answer to my request for specific charges:
"Holiness to the Lord
Salt Lake Temple.
Salt Lake City, Utah, Oct[ober]. 23rd, 1896.
Box 18.
Elder Moses Thatcher,
City.
Dear Brother:
Your communication of the 16th instant was received by me on the 19th, and its contents carefully noted.
Since the writing of your letter the full stenographic report of the remarks of the brethren made at our late General Conference has been published in the Deseret News, in which their feelings concerning you are quite fully expressed; and you not having read these published remarks prior to the writing of your communication I take it for granted that it will not be necessary for me to explain or answer further.
With kindest regards,
Your brother,
Lorenzo Snow."
This communication changed the face of the whole matter, because in it I am cited to the public press to read the accusations made against me in public meetings before the
Saints in General Conference assembled and before the world. I am told to go to a newspaper and there read what my brethren have said about me and against me, and to these public utterances published to all mankind I am to make my answer.
But, owing to the word sent me by Brother F[ranklin]. D. Richards, I still thought you might possibly have other communications to make, outside of the public declarations to which you referred me in your letter of Oct[ober]. 23rd, and being in the city in response to that request, I therefore wrote you on the 4th of November asking for information as to when that meeting would be called.
In reply I received a letter from you, President Snow, dated November 6th, 1896, in which you repeat in full your letter of Oct[ober]. 23rd, thus indicating that the public declarations made in conference covered all the charges against me; you say further that you had hoped I would write no more after receiving your letter of Oct[ober]. 23, and that I should have lost no time in seeking you personally after receiving that letter and that you, one and all were disappointed at my lack of wisdom after receiving that letter, and that therefore the temple was closed against me on the 15th of October. Believe me, it is hard to understand how any supposed disregard of a letter written October 23rd should cause the temple to be closed against me on the 15th of the same month, or eight days before.
Be this as it may, I desire to make a simple request of you, to which, I am sure, your sense of justice and honor will acquiesce. It is this: As I was accused in public I desire to meet the charges in public. Although the judges before whom I am to be arranged have nearly all expressed an opinion as to the merits of my case; although my accusers are to sit in judgment over me; although a verdict has already been delivered against me without a hearing and in the most public manner; still will I be willing to submit my case to them, to place in their keeping, not only my life but that which is dearer to me than life,--only asking for the defence the same publicity which has been given the prosecution.
It has been written, "If any shall offend in secret he shall be rebuked in secret," but I have been rebuked in public and therefore ask a hearing in public. I am moved to make this request, not only because my brethren have one after another accused me before congregations of saints, nor because the door of the Temple has been closed in my face, nor because Bro[ther]. Joseph F. Smith in the last Logan Conference classed me as one of the enemies of the church and publicly reprimanded my former bishop for mentioning me in his prayers; but also because in the conversation with Pres[iden]t. Lorenzo Snow, on the train between Salt Lake and Brigham City last Saturday, Nov[ember]. 7th, I was given the impression that I have absolutely nothing to hope for in any other than a public hearing, such as I now request. I shall not trouble my brethren, therefore, to convene in a special meeting named for Thursday at 2 o'clock p.m. in the
Historian's Office.
In conclusion, brethren, I desire to say that nothing could shake my faith in the everlasting Gospel. All the trials and afflictions through which I have passed leave me firm in my belief. I am devoted to my church, my people and my God. I have willingly made every sacrifice required of me. I have given freely of my time and means to the upbuilding of the Kingdom of God. I have never shirked a responsibility placed upon me. If I have done wrong it is because I am mortal, but I bear no consciousness of wrongful intent. If I have not been in harmony with my brethren of the Quorum of the Twelve on religious matters I was not aware of it till their public declarations to that effect. Have not frequent authoritative declarations been made in public during the past few years as the perfect harmony existing between all the members of the Quorum and between them and the First Presidency? With those made so often in sacred places you are familiar. It is very hard to understand why, in the face of these, the public should now be informed that we have not been in harmony for years.
Brethren this matter may seem trivial to you, for in your hands is placed the judgment, while I stand in the position of a victim. Misapprehension as to the motives prompting my action during all the years of my official life may be the result of mis-information; and prejudice, once aroused, increases, as you know, like an avalanche. If there is aught in word or act of mine since I have been a member of the church that I would not have published upon the housetops I do not know it; and yet I am aware that any man is liable to become darkened in his mind, who, nevertheless, may still desire to do right and be just in all things. Therefore, I beseech you, let mercy have its claims, then award to Justice, under the laws of God, all its demands; remembering always that it is a serious matter to judge even in small concerns, but it becomes of great magnitude when involving that which is more precious than life.
I am,
Respectfully, Your brother and fellow-laborer,
Moses Thatcher."
The opinion was expressed by brethren present that the letter was full of the spirit of hypocrisy, and it was plain that Brother Thatcher did not intend to meet with the quorum. President Woodruff repeated what he had several times said before, that the Twelve would have to deal with Brother Thatcher.
President Cannon expressed the opinion that the letter was written for publication, the intent being to make it appear that injustice was done Brother Thatcher when they take action upon his case.
It was unanimously decided that the following notice should be served upon Brother Thatcher:
Nov[ember]. 12th, 1896.
Elder Moses Thatcher,
Logan.
Dear Brother: --
This is to notify you that at a meeting of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles held today, it was resolved that as you are not in fellowship with the Council your case will be called up for consideration and action at a meeting to be held for that purpose at 10 A.M. on Thursday, the 19th inst., at the Historian's Office this City.
With kind regards,
Your brother,
Lorenzo Snow.
Elder Geo[rge]. Teasdale was appointed to take charge of the prayer circle formerly presided over by Elder Abraham H. Cannon. (2)
Endnotes:
1 - Journal History
2 - First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes
LDS History Chronology: Lorenzo Snow
Mormon History Timeline: the life of Lorenzo Snow
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
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