-- Jan 4, 1898
[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] [Quarterly meeting of Apostles] President Lorenzo Snow ... There are two things required of us as apostles, a perfect union among ourselves, and a perfect union with the First Presidency. If this [is brought about, may not need to die but be translated] He referred to the advanced age of Pres[iden]t Wilford Woodruff, and the fact that his first counselor Bro[ther] Geo[rge] Q. Cannon was doing some things that we could not approve of. This makes no difference as it is our duty to sustain him. The loss of $100,000 more or less is as nothing in comparison with our failing to sustain the First Presidency. Disunion in our midst would be sweet morsel for our enemies. It is the right of the twelve apostles to make known to the Presidency their suggestions on any matter of importance where the interest of the Church is at stake and in some cases it is our duty to express our feelings. After we have expressed our feelings it is then our duty to sustain the Presidency in their plans although they may be in opposition to our own feelings. After a free expression of our feelings we should sustain them, hit or miss, live or die. The Lord does not always select religious men to do His work, but he selects men of strong will and determination. I feel it in my bones that all will be well if we will be true to one other and sustain the First Presidency. Heber J. Grant ... Expressed himself freely on the question of asking the Presidency to share their financial burdens with the apostles. Did not feel that it was right for men like Frank J. Cannon to be selected to represent the Church. Felt it was an outrage that Frank was used as he was and also that the Church's official paper should be edited by John Q. Cannon I expressed it as my opinion that we should ask the Presidency in a respectful manner for a knowledge of the affairs of the Church, and protest against such men as Frank Cannon being employed, and then if the Presidency did not wish to make any changes or to trust us with the business of the Church I was in for sustaining the Presidency. I explained that there was no malice in my heart and that I did not want to injure any man, but neither did I want any man to have the honor of the Church intrusted to him that was not worthy. I felt to say with reference to the Presidency. "Even though they slay me, yet will I trust in them." ... (1)
-- Jan 5, 1898
[Apostle Brigham Young Jr. Diary] Meeting at 10.30 a.m. Our conversation in relation to first presidency was resumed. We are all thoroughly convinced that Presidents Woodruff & Smith are all right but Pres[ident] C. is wrong in many things in financial business. I proposed that, we trust the people with the labor of helping the church out of its indebtedness we must keep in touch with the people. There were present Pres[ident] L. S., F. D. R., B. Y., Jno. H. S. Geo[rge] T., H. J. G., Jno. W. T., M. W. M. & O. Woodruff 9 in all and we seem to be agreed. Met at 3 p.m. It was agreed that Pres[ident] Snow lay our feelings before the presidency and one or two others of the Quorum should be in perfect harmony & knowledge of financial affairs. (2)
Endnotes:
1 - Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
2 - Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
LDS History Chronology: Lorenzo Snow
Mormon History Timeline: the life of Lorenzo Snow
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
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