-- Tuesday, Jul 24, 1900
[Apostle Rudger Clawson Diary] Salt Lake City. Clear and mild. Pioneer Day. The ceremonies connected with the unveiling of the Brigham Young Statue at the head of Main Street took place at 10 a.m. The statue and pedestal were draped with American flags and a platform was built around them for the accommodation of the speakers and prominent people. A large crowd had gathered around the stand. The following program was carried out, to wit:
The assembly was called to order by Hon. Jas. Sharp. Address, Pres. Geo. Q. Cannon. He recited the achievements of Brigham Young and the pioneers. Dwelt upon the hardships of early days. Spoke of the incident whereby the people were saved from starvation by the sea gulls, which came in myriads, and destroyed the crickets, and thus saved the crops. Spoke of the gold fever that in early days took possession of the people, and how that Brigham Young counseled them to remain and develop the resources of the country and let the gold fields alone. Spoke of his wise counsels and timely instructions in all the trying situations of pioneer days. Said that the story of the emigration to and peopling of these valleys of the mountains should live in the minds of our children. This statue and monument will serve to remind them of these things.
An address, introducing C[yrus] E. Dallin, sculptor, through whose genius the statue of Brigham Young was brought forth, [by] Hon. Jas. T. Hammond. Address, [by] C. E. Dallin, sculptor.
The statue was unveiled at 11 a.m., the ceremony being performed by Margaret Young, great granddaughter of Brigham Young. In addition to the statue of Brigham Young, which rested upon the top of the pedestal, there were two figures and a group in bronze just finished and put in place for the unveiling. One of the figures represented a trapper and the other an Indian. The group represented a family of pioneers. The entire monument as now completed and unveiled is very fine.
Lydia and myself and the children spent the afternoon at Liberty Park. We took picnic with us, which added something of interest to the outing.
I have often said that if I were a wealthy man, I would set aside a portion of my means to be used in the temple for the salvation of the dead. There are many good people in the church who can be employed to work for the dead, and I have ascertained that it will cost from 75c to $1.00 for each dead person who is baptized for and endowed, which work, if accepted by them, means salvation to their souls; and Pres. Lorenzo Snow says that in nine cases out of ten the work will be accepted, so that, it might be said, there is very little risk connected with an investment of this kind. How beautiful it is in cases where men have means, but little or no time to spend in missionary work or to labor themselves in the temple that they should devote a portion of that means for the salvation of the dead, rather than to leave a great lot of means for their children to quarrel over. Now, I am not a man of means, but to show forth the sincerity of my desire, I have decided to set aside a
small part of my monthly income for the purpose above explained and shall start the fund with $4.00. I hope in the future to accomplish much good, under the blessing of the Lord, from this very small beginning. (1)
-- Jul 25, 1900; Wednesday
President [Lorenzo] Snow came to the office this morning and remained a short time. When he came in President [George Q.] Cannon was talking with Brother Anthon H. Lund, informing him of the selection which had been made of himself to take charge of the Historian's Office. The President then joined in the conversation. The Presidency, he said, have felt for a long time that the Historian's office is greatly in need of executive guidance and system, and they impressed Brother Lund with this idea. Two letters were now read, one of which President Snow had heard before, one of these was from Brother Martin S. Lindsay, and the other from Brother S. P. Neve, and both reflected on Brother Andrew Jenson personally. These letters were handed to Elder Lund for his consideration.
President [Joseph F.] Smith came to the office at 12:30 today.
Brother Anthony W. Ivins was telegraphed to on Friday as to the whereabouts of the [Brigham Young] Academy Expedition. His answer came today as follows: "Expedition either at Nogales or between that point and Juarez; expected here about the first."
Brother Guy Wilson and wife, who are about to return to Mexico, were blessed under the hands of Presidents Cannon and Smith and Elder John Henry Smith.
Word was sent from the office to Elder Seymour B. Young in Parley's Canyon informing him that he had been selected to accompany President Joseph F. Smith to Mexico. (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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