Lorenzo Snow, Dec 21, 1899; Thursday

-- Dec 21, 1899; Thursday
Presidents Lorenzo Snow, George Q. Cannon, and Joseph F. Smith were at the office.

President Cannon informed President Snow that he desired to pay a certain amount on account of tithing, but he did not have the money, and therefore proposed to pay it in Grand Central Mining stock at six dollars a share.

President Snow hesitated, for the reason that he did not know the value of such stock.

President Cannon remarked that he did not have to pay it, perhaps, but in order to satisfy his feelings he felt that he ought to do so.

President Snow answered that he did not see why President Cannon should pay tithing unless it was a tenth of his income.

President Cannon explained that his practice had been, whenever he was in a tight place, to overpay his tithing, and he had found that in doing this he had been prospered.

President Snow: "Then, President Cannon, you make the Lord your debtor, and obligated to you".

President Cannon: "No, not in that light."

After further talk on the subject President Snow said that he should leave such matters to President Cannon himself, as he knew what to do, and did not need any counsel from him.

President Smith, however, saw no reason why the Church should not receive President Cannon's tithing in this stock.

Salt Lake Temple, 11 A.M. Present: Lorenzo Snow, George Q. Cannon, Joseph F. Smith, Brigham Young [Jr.], Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, Heber J. Grant, John W. Taylor, Anthon H. Lund, Matthias F. Cowley, and Rudger Clawson. ...

A letter was read from the Presidency of the European

Mission, dated at Glasgow, Scotland, on the 5th inst., containing the information that among the missionaries who recently arrived at Liverpool [England], was one Harold Eldredge, a son of the late Horace S. Eldredge, holding a missionary certificate with an appointment to the German Mission. The brethren who crossed the sea in company with this young man reported that his conduct was disgraceful; that he indulged in smoking and drinking to excess, was guilty of profanity and obscenity, and openly admitted associating with lewd women in New York City. The letter went on to say that the German Mission had suffered almost irreparable injury of late, through the presence of such corrupt men.

President Platte D. Lyman asked for instruction, as to what should be done in these cases. He said that he had instructed the Presidency of the German Mission to take up Brother Eldredge's credentials, and to inform the Saints there that he is not in fellowship with the Church.

President Smith explained that this young man was given a missionary certificate while he (President Smith) was in Canada, and that it was given upon the recommendation of Bishop Nelson A. Empey and the young man's brother, Ben B. Eldredge; the understanding being that Harold was going to Germany to study music. President Smith moved that the action taken by President Lyman be approved.

President Cannon suggested that the Presidency of the European Mission take further action in the case, to the extent of excommunication, if the evidence warranted.

The motion was then seconded and carried. ...

A part of the letter from President Platte D. Lyman conveyed the information that in consequence of the strong anti-Mormon feeling in Bristol [England], the Elders could not rent a building there. There was for sale, however, in a respectable part of the town, a building in good condition, well furnished and fitted up with stand, seats, light and water, also a font for baptism, with a seating capacity for one hundred and seventy-five persons, and this property could be purchased, with a perpetual title, so long as the ground rent of five pounds a year was paid, for the sum of three hundred pounds. The brethren and the saints in Bristol asked that the Church advance the money, with the understanding that the title go to the Church, while they pay for it at the rate of twenty-five pounds a year, keep it in good repair, and also pay the ground rent.

Brother Lund suggested that they be helped in the amount of fifty pounds, leaving them to raise the balance, which could be borrowed at a low rate of interest.

Brother John Henry Smith favored this, and also suggested that steps be taken to establish meeting houses in all the large towns of the British Mission, thereby uplifting the character of our people in the estimation of religious people generally.

On motion of Brother Clawson it was decided that the Presidency of the European Mission should be written to, in order to ascertain further facts in relation to the building at Bristol, the material of which it is composed, the number of recent

baptisms there, and the prospects for future increase. ...

Brother Abraham O[wen]. Woodruff reported his visit to the Mexican colonies. At Dublan John S. Robinson was ordained Bishop, to preside at that place. At Oaxaca he found some young people who wished to be sealed in marriage, and as it would cost them $1,000 in Mexican money to take each couple to the nearest Temple, he had sealed them. He now asked for authority to perform sealings in that country.

President Cannon expressed himself in favor of authorizing the Apostles to perform sealings in that country, and he stated that this had been done in the life time of President Woodruff.

Brother John Henry Smith remarked that he had sealed a great many couples in that region, and he thought this authority ought to be delegated each time to the Apostle or Apostles who might visit those parts, they to report the same for record purposes in the Temple.

President Snow remarked that it was perfectly clear to his mind that the Apostles should have this authority, and if there was no objection, this understanding would prevail.

Brother Clawson moved that the action of Brother Woodruff be approved, and that the Apostles visiting that country hereafter be authorized to perform such sealings.

Whereupon President Cannon observed, addressing himself to Brother Clawson, that he did not believe in such motions in this Council, that is, motions whereby the members of the Council gave the President authority to do things for which he already had the authority. This disposed of the motion. ... (1)


-- Dec 22, 1899; Friday
Presidents Lorenzo Snow, George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith were at the office.

The sums of $30 and $100 were appropriated, the former in favor of the St. George [Utah] Indians, and the latter in favor of Lees Ferry. (1)

Endnotes:
1 - 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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