-- Friday, Mar 31, 1899
[Apostle Rudger Clawson Diary] Salt Lake City. Cloudy and mild. Prest. Lorenzo Snow's 85th birthday occurs on Monday, April the 3d. In honor of that event an informal celebration was planned for today at the Brigham Young Academy, Provo. This to suit Pres. Snow's convenience, as he could not be present Monday.
The members composing the President's party were Pres. Snow and wife, Pres. Geo. Q. Cannon and wife, Pres. Jos. F. Smith and wife, Pres. F. D. Richards and wife, Apostle F. M. Lyman and wife, Apostle J. H. Smith and wife, Apostle M. F. Cowley and wife, Apostle A. H. Lund, myself, LeRoi Snow, and Sister M[argaret] G. Clawson. Leaving Salt Lake at 8 a.m. we reached Provo at 10 and were driven immediately to the academy building. A reception committee conducted us to the assembly room in which were gathered about 500 students.
The lady teachers and students withdrew for the purpose of holding a meeting with the lady visitors. A priesthood meeting with the male students was then held, they being arranged in bodies according to their priesthood. Brief reports of a very interesting character were given by a student holding and representing those of the Melchizedek Priesthood, also from the priests, teachers, and deacons.
Pres. Snow made brief remarks. Was highly delighted, he said, in meeting with so many bright young men of the priesthood. Spoke of his early experience in the Church in bearing testimony. Was very diffident and at first could occupy not more than one or two minutes, but made up his mind that whenever called upon to speak, he would do so, and his success as an elder was due to the observance of that resolution. Pointed out the advantages that invariably come from following counsel.
God revealed to him, he said, a perfect knowledge that the gospel as we have it is true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. Never sought to be an apostle, or the president of the Twelve, or the president of the Church, but he did seek, he said, for the office of an elder, and when he received that priesthood sought for the spirit of it.
Advised the young men present to be humble that they might have the spirit of revelation, which it is their privilege to enjoy. Never disobeyed counsel, he said, but once. It was in Kirtland 60 years ago. In asking counsel of Pres. [Sidney] Rigdon about going to college, the latter advised him to go. However, he got the spirit of the gospel, he said, and went out preaching instead. Gave an account of his early experience in preaching. In conclusion, he said, be humble and simple and do not try to be great until the Lord brings greatness upon you.
At 1 p.m. a program was given in the assembly room, the visitors and same 500 or 600 students being present. Pres. Cannon made brief remarks alluding to Pres. Snow's 85th birthday. Showed how greatly blessed of the Lord we are in having a man of his great experience to be our president. Spoke of his (Pres. Cannon's) early experience in the Church. His greatest desire at the age of 12 was to become an elder and preach the gospel. Warned the young people against being over-ambitious. Be humble, trust the Lord, and he will bring you forward. Listen to counsel—a man that fails to do this will not succeed. Said there were two things to guard against: namely, impurity and rebellion.
A young lady, dressed in white, entered and in a neat speech presented a basket of flowers to the president. The basket also contained the names of all the students in attendance at the academy.
Pres. Snow expressed feelings of gratitude for what he had witnessed. He then made brief closing remarks upon the principle of obedience. The party returned to Salt Lake at 4:10 p.m. .... (1)
-- Apr 1, 1899; Saturday
... President Snow gave permission for the Tabernacle to be used to-morrow for religious services by the famous Evangelist Dwight L. Moody. (2)
Endnotes:
1 - Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson
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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