-- October 1901
Matthias F. Cowley, recalled "hearing President Lorenzo Snow say on more than one occasion how determined Lyman E. Johnson was to see an angel from the Lord. He plead [sic] with and teased the Lord to send an angel to him, until he saw an angel; but President Snow said that the trouble with him was that he saw an angel one day and saw the devil the next day, and finally the devil got away with him." (1)
-- Tuesday, Oct 1, 1901
[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] Salt Lake City
Brigham Young, Myself, George Teasdale, John W. Taylor, Marfiner W. Merrill, Anthon H. Lund, Abraham O. Woodruff and Rudger Clawson met in council in the Temple.
Brigham Young asked what we thought of the church doing something for President Lorenzo Snows Wives when he was dead. We voted we were willing some provision should be made. (2)
[Apostle Rudger Clawson Diary] Salt Lake City. Clear and warm. 10 a.m. Quarterly conference of the Twelve at the temple. Present: Apostles Brigham Young, Jno. H. Smith, Geo. Teasdale, Jno. W. Taylor, Marriner W. Merrill, Anthon H. Lund, Abraham O. Woodruff, and Rudger Clawson. Song, "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief." Prayer by Apostle Woodruff. Song, "Praise to the Man Who Communed with Jehovah."
Apostle Young was the first speaker and said in substance that he had good reason to believe that if Pres. Snow should pass away suddenly, he would die a poor man financially and his family would be left in need. He felt that Pres. Snow should take steps, while living, to provide for his family that they might be made comfortable in a time to come. If the brethren approved of it, he would like so to express himself to President Snow, and he believed that the President would appreciate the good feelings of his brethren.
Apostle Smith expressed his approval of the suggestion and said it would be in harmony with the course taken by Presidents Brigham Young, Jno. Taylor, and Wilford Woodruff, who each in his time provided for their families while yet they were with us. If we were living in the United Order, these matters would be properly adjusted. The families of our leaders--especially their widows--should be cared for within reason, but of course they should be frugal and industrious. He also felt to endorse the idea and proposition that if any wife of an apostle (be the apostle alive or dead) be found lacking in those things needful for her comfort, provision should be made in such case that it shall not be necessary for her to call upon the bishop each week of her life.
Apostle Teasdale said that he was in harmony with the views expressed. He felt that there was no need for a wife of the President or an apostle to suffer for the necessities of life.
Apostle Taylor felt that Brother Brigham's suggestion was inspired of the Lord, and it, therefore, had his hearty approval. Apostle Lund said that he felt to be one with his brethren in this matter. Apostle Merrill felt that Brother Brigham's suggestion came as an inspiration. Apostle Woodruff said that he felt that the wives of our leading men should not be left to suffer for the common necessities of life.
Apostle Clawson read from the Book of Covenants, as follows: Sec. 7, verses 12 to 15; Sec. 24, verses 1 to 10, and Sec. 26, verses 3 to 9. He said he felt to endorse the suggestions made and believed it to be in harmony with the revelations of God as read. Apostle Young said that he would submit the matter to President Snow.
Apostle Woodruff called attention to the fact that Elder [John E.] Magleby, president of the New Zealand Mission, and Elder [Walter C.] Lyman, president of the Northern States Mission, had been a long time absent from home and felt that we ought to recommend their release to return home. No formal action taken.
Apostle Young said that in all probability Pres. Snow would consult the brethren as to the successor of the late Thos. E. Ricks, president of Fremont Stake. He asked the brethren to be thinking about this matter. Spoke in reference to the duty of the Twelve in opening the door of the gospel to the nations of the earth. Said that President Snow's mind of late had been impressed with the importance of this obligation which rested upon his brethren, and he had several times within a recent period expressed a wish that they should take the subject into consideration. Brother Brigham felt that the question we should now seek to answer is this: where are the nations, not already visited, to whom the gospel might be carried by the Twelve? His mind, he said, had rested upon South America, and possibly fields might be opened up in Brazil, the Argentine Republic, La Plata, Montevideo, and other places. It was thought that at the close of the war South Africa would be a good field.
Apostle Smith said that he would feel a little chary about recommending himself or any member of the quorum for a mission, as he conceded that this right belonged to the First Presidency. The apostles are here and are ready to go to the ends of the earth at their bidding.
Apostle Young explained that President Snow did not expect the apostles to call themselves to fill missions, but simply desired them to suggest new fields for missionary work. Upon the recommendation of Apostle Taylor, it was decided that an atlas be secured for reference and that a goodly portion of the time tomorrow be devoted to this subject.
Minutes read and approved. Benediction by Apostle Smith. The meeting was adjourned until 10 a.m. Wednesday to give the brethren an opportunity to attend the opening of the fair. (3)
Endnotes:
1 - Conference Report
2 - Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith
3 - 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
LDS History Chronology: Lorenzo Snow
Mormon History Timeline: the life of Lorenzo Snow
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
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