-- Jul 10, 1899; Monday
Presidents Lorenzo Snow, George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith were at the office. Among the items of business transacted was the appropriation of $100 in favor of the Southern States Mission, to help pay a brother named Prebble for work done by him on a meeting house destroyed by incendiaries in Kentucky.
Bishop William B. Preston called and submitted a new form of tithing receipt, to take the place of the old form which omitted the word "tithing", left out by advice of the Church attorneys during the operations under the Edmunds law. The new form, with the word "tithing" added, received the sanction of the First Presidency. (1)
-- Jul 11, 1899
[A]ttended one Meeting with My Quorum at 2 P.M. [July 12, 1899; Journal History; Franklin D. Richards, Diary; John Henry Smith, Diary; Marriner Wood Merrill, Diary]
At 10 a.m. there was a meeting of the First Presidency and Apostles to consider the course best to be taken by President Angus M. Cannon, of Salt Lake Stake, in making his defense before the court to the charge of unlawful cohabitation, recently filed against him. All the quorum of the Twelve were present except Rudger Clawson. Attorneys [Franklin S.] Richards and Ferguson were also in attendance. After some talk President George Q. Cannon moved that Brother Angus, the defendant, instead of putting up any defense, thus making it necessary for his wife to be dragged into court and testify as to the parentage of the child, when cited to appear, acknowledge himself as the father. Brother Lyman seconded the motion, which had been made in order to get the sense of the meeting, and after further remarks, by the attorneys and others, it was carried unanimously.
Bishop Thomas Judd, just in from Nevada, where he has been called to preside, came to the office. He reported that most of the best land in his section of country had been taken up, but he thought other settlers would come in.
At 2 p.m. there was a meeting of the Grass Creek Coal Company.
Twelve met at President's office at 10. a.m. concluded best for Bro[ther] A[ngus]. M. Cannon to plead guilty to husband of M[artha]. H[ughes]. C[annon]. as his wife & her child his child.
Then 12 adjourned to Temple & had 2 meetings there.
P.M. I explained verses 36 37 of Sec[tion] 107 Doc[trine] & Cov[enants]. & some other verses of the Same section. Twelve all present except B[righam]. Y[oung]. [Jr.]
[Francis M.] Lyman [John Henry] Smith [Abraham Owen] Woodruff and [John W.] Taylor spoke freely about the Manifesto be a Revelation or not what to call it.
All of the Presidency and Apostles but Brigham Young [Jr.] and Rudger Clawson met at the Presidents Office with F[ranklin]. S. Richards, Barlow Furgeson and President Angus M Cannon met and talked over his affair. We agreed for him to plead guilty.
I attended Meeting with My Quorum and first Presidency at the Presidents Office at 10. A.M. Church attorneys also present it was decided that Pres[iden]t Angus M. Cannon better plead Guilty to unlawful Cohabitation and thereby save His wife & Brethern from going to Court. Our Quorum after adjournement Met at Our room in the Temple at 11 A.M. I Spoke Yesterday afternoon and Created Some Stir in the Minds of Some of the Brethern by Saying that the Manifesto was Not a revelation from God, and that Plural Children would always be Born in the Church of Christ from year to year for all time to come. [July 13, 1899; Journal History; Brigham Young Jr., Diary; Marriner Wood Merrill, Diary; J. Golden Kimball, Diary]
Salt Lake Temple 11 a.m. The First Presidency and the Apostles met in council. Present: Lorenzo Snow, George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith, Franklin D. Richards, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, George Teasdale, Heber J. Grant, John W. Taylor, Marriner W[ood]. Merrill, Anthon H. Lund, Matthias F. Cowley, Abraham O[wen]. Woodruff, Rudger Clawson. Absent: Brigham Young [Jr.], at Chicago [Illinois]. ...
The brethren composing the First Council of Seventies, who had been specially invited to attend this meeting, now came in, namely, Seymour B. Young, Christian Fjelsted, George Reynolds, Brigham H. Roberts, Jonathan G[olden]. Kimball, Rulon S. Wells and Joseph W. McMurrin.
President Snow, arising, addressed those assembled. He remarked that he and his counselors, with the Twelve Apostles, felt that they would like to have one meeting with these brethren of the Seventies, that they might partake of the sacrament together, and this feeling had prompted the invitation which had brought them here on this occasion. He took pleasure informing the invited guests that there was perfect unanimity in the Council of the First Presidency and Apostles, and he felt satisfied that this same feeling prevailed in the Council of the Seventies. He looked forward with hope and encouragement to see the purposes of the Lord accomplished through His united Priesthood.
President Snow then took his seat, but immediately arose again, saying that the Lord had revealed to him that it was his duty, and the duty of his brethren, to stir up the people from the bottom of their hearts, in relation to one of the laws of heaven, which they had failed to keep. Unless this law was obeyed the Church could not exist financially, nor could we exist as a people for the want of His blessing. He referred to the law of tithing. The Lord had promised that we should be preserved from our enemies if we observed this law, but if we rejected it we should be cursed. This was the word given to the Church in early days, and it applies to us to-day. If the Saints had observed this law, the land of Zion would have been sanctified, and their enemies could not have dispossessed them. The speaker referred to other sins that some called Saints were guilty of, such as fornication and adultery. But how often, he asked, do men commit such sins if they keep the law of tithing? Not more than fifteen out of a thousand, if that many. There was safety in strictly adhering to the Lord's commandments, and this applied to officers as well as to lay members of the Church.
Brother John Henry Smith suggested that the brethren, in talking to the Saints on the subject of tithing, do not enter into details, but refer to the revelation, which plainly requires one-tenth of our increase or interest annually, leaving the people to deal with their own consciences. He stated that this had been considered by the Apostles this morning, before the Presidency joined them; that it was the advice of President Richards, and he, the speaker, mentioned it now for the benefit of the brethren of the Seventies, that all might understand it alike.
President Richards reminded President Snow that the matter of filling the vacancy in the Presidency of Cache [Utah] Stake had been laid over until to-day, to be considered when Brother Merrill was present; whereupon President Snow invited Brother Merrill to express himself upon the subject.
Brother Merrill stated that he had considered the matter to some extent, but had not settled on any one. He would prefer that the Presidency have their choice, and would be pleased to support the man of their choice, and while there were some men quite prominent whom he would not choose because of their past record, if these were chosen by the Presidency he would sustain them. He thought that the men who preside in Cache Stake should be men in full harmony with the First Presidency and the Apostles. If the right man were chosen to preside, there would be a great revival throughout the Stake. The President of the Stake and his counselors should live in Logan. All things considered, Brother Merrill felt that Isaac Smith would fill the position of Stake President; his talk had always the right ring, he had always supported the First Presidency, and had traveled in all kinds of weather to keep his appointments. On being asked to name others, Brother Merrill named Joseph Morrell, who, he thought would make a strong counselor or a good president. Referring to the late President, Orson Smith, the speaker said that he had never sought his counsel upon anything, and while he did not take exception to this, he did think it would have been better had Brother Smith consulted with him, as an Apostle residing in his Stake, and consulted more than he did with his own counselors in the Stake Presidency.
President Snow: "We want a man who has two spirits in him, so to speak, that of the lion and that of the lamb; and whoever is chosen to preside in Cache Stake, it will be found that unless he possesses these two characteristics, he will fail to give satisfaction." President Snow knew Isaac Smith personally, and when it came to carrying out instructions of the First Presidency, he could be relied upon, but as to exercising the lamb-like spirit, bearing and forbearing, he feared Brother Isaac was lacking in that respect.
Brother Jonathan G[olden]. Kimball, having received permission to speak, said that he recognized in Brother Isaac Smith a good man, but the latter had admitted to him, in a personal way, that he was unfortunate in hurting people's feelings, and had often hurt the feelings of his own family without intending it. Brother Kimball offered this remark in confirmation of what President Snow had said. Asked about Joseph Morrell, Brother Kimball answered that he would make a better counselor than president.
President Smith remarked that Isaac Smith offended Moses Thatcher at the time of the division on party lines. Moses asked Isaac which side of the fence he intended to choose. Isaac's answer did not satisfy Moses, who replied that he was going to take care of his friends, and he had had his knife in Isaac ever since.
Brother Cowley said that he was the first to mention Brother Morrell's name. He was satisfied that he would make a most excellent president, and would be acceptable to all classes of people in Cache Stake; his past course having been such that he had not aroused the antagonism of his brethren. Brother Cowley also suggested the name of Heber Merrill as a suitable young man for counselor.
Brother Fjeldsted, being asked to express his opinion, said that Brother Morrell was a good level-headed man, and that Brother Isaac Smith was certainly a man full of zeal, very desirous of carrying out the mind of his file leaders. Experience would ripen him in wisdom.
Brother Grant said that he rather liked Brother Isaac for the enemies he had made, but did not think he was the man to preside over Cache Stake. From what had been said about Brother Morrell, the speaker felt that he could sustain him heartily.
On motion of Brother John W. Taylor the whole question was left with the First Presidency, to decide as they might feel led; the vote being unanimous.
The Sacrament was now partaken of, all the brethren present sitting at the table, and the prayer being offered by President Smith. After partaking of the Sacrament all arose, and President Richards offered the closing prayer.
The Council adjourned, all feeling that the time spent had been very enjoyable. Doc[ument]. Signed by Bro[ther]. [John R.] Winder etc appointing me agent for "Deseret Invest[ment]. Co[mpany]." struck me as a very peculiar doc[ocument]. And altogether caused me some anger, but I hope to recover the I am too angry to write Pres[ident]. [Lorenzo] Snow just how I feel.
Our Quorum adj[ourned] our Quarterly Meeting to Tuesday Oct[ober] 3rd 1899 at Our room in the Temple at 10 am. I went to my room with Bro[ther] [Matthias F.] Cowley to talk over Private affairs.
At 10.40 A.M. went to our room in the Temple fasting as our Council were invited by Pres[ident]. [Lorenzo] Snow to meet with the Presidency and Twelve Apostles at 12. noon.
At 12. noon we all assembled and were received very kindly by the Bretheren.
Pres[ident]. Snow, and others spoke on Tithing, and also some of the missions.
At 1 P.M. the tables were spread with bread and wine. A prayer was offered by Pres[ident]. Jos[eph]. F. Smith We then partook of the bread & wine until we were satisfied. All were happy and conversation took place.
While we were together the bretheren canvassed the name of several bretheren to ascertain who should be appointed Pres[ident] of Cache [Utah] Stake. No decision was reached, and the matter was left to the Pres[ident] of the Stake. the names of Isaac Smith, Joseph Morrell, M[arriner] W[ood] Merrill Jr and B[isho]p Lewis were mentioned. I raised an objection to Isaac Smith being the man, and was rather set upon by M[arriner]. W[ood]. Merrill. Believe I was right. Am surprised at mens judgement. Do not believe Smith will be appointed. Cannot believe the Lord would make so great mistake. I love the people of Cache Co[unty]. too much to ever desire his appointment. (2)
Endnotes:
1 - First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes
2 - Marriner Wood Merrill, Diary
LDS History Chronology: Lorenzo Snow
Mormon History Timeline: the life of Lorenzo Snow
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
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