-- Thursday, Oct 3, 1901
[Apostle Rudger Clawson Diary] Salt Lake City. Clear in morning; raining during afternoon. 10 a.m. Continuation of conference of the Twelve. Present: Apostles Brigham Young, Geo. Teasdale, Jno. W. Taylor, Marriner W. Merrill, Anthon H. Lund, Matthias F. Cowley, Abraham O. Woodruff, Rudger Clawson, and Reed Smoot, [and John H. Smith]. Song, "Away with Our Fears," Prayer by Apostle Cowley. Song, "For the Strength of the Hills We Bless Thee."
Apostle Smith was the first speaker and said he regretted his absence yesterday, which was occasioned by his attendance at court. He was in touch with his brethren and the Presidency. He had spent a fair share of his time from home during the past three months in the line of his duty. Spoke of the need of more elders in the Southern States. Also called attention to the friendship of many prominent men in the nation for the Latter-day Saints, and how the Lord was using them to accomplish his purposes.
Apostle Woodruff spoke of the necessity of something being done for the Maricopa Stake. A change should be made in the presidency. Apostle Taylor moved that we recommend to the Presidency the reorganization of the Maricopa Stake. Carried.
Apostle Clawson moved that it be the sense of the meeting that the committee who have the matter in hand should represent to the Presidency the necessity of getting out a cheap edition of the Book of Mormon. Carried.
11:30 a.m. Presidents Snow and Smith came in. Apostle Brigham Young submitted two recommendations, namely, the establishing of a mission in South America and the reorganization of the Maricopa Stake. Pres. Snow asked Brother Brigham as to whom the apostles would suggest to open a mission in South America. He replied that the Twelve had no recommendation to make, but every one of them was ready to respond to a call. Matter taken under advisement.
Apostle Cowley reported the following ordinations while on his trip south: Orson Wilkin, bishop of Nutrioso, Arizona; Leroy Gibbons, bp. of Concho, Arizona; Christopher I. Kempe, patriarch; Wm. Henry Solomon, patriarch, Snowflake Stake; David Weech, bishop of Pima, St. Joseph Stake; Joseph Taylor, patriarch, St. Joseph Stake; Edwin E. Thompson, bishop of Franklin, St. Joseph Stake; Lehi Larson, bishop of Matthews, St. Joseph Stake. These ordinations were approved by unanimous vote. Apostle Cowley also reported that Joseph Cluff of St. Joseph Stake had been preaching false doctrine and was in this way making considerable [trouble] for the brethren. They were on the point of handling him for his fellowship when Bro. Cowley left. Spoke of conditions in the Maricopa Stake as being very unfavorable.
Apostle Smith gave an account of conditions prevailing in the Maricopa Stake from the beginning. The heat of that country at times is intense, and many people cannot live there, but it is a fruitful land. The members of the church there have sold the controlling interest in the canal to a corporation from which bad results have followed. What is lacking today is a leader among our people there.
President Snow felt that the water should be resecured and a strong man sent there to preside. Action deferred until Pres. Hakes could be seen to furnish definite information concerning the water prospects.
The question of providing means for the giving of endowments to the saints living in Arizona and Mexico was discussed. Apostle Smith moved that an architect be employed to draft plans for an endowment [house] to cost $30,000 with a view of erecting said building in Arizona or Mexico, providing the people in that part of the country desired it and would bear the expense of its cost. Carried.
At this point the tables were spread for the sacrament, Apostle Young being mouth in offering the blessing. While at the table Pres. Snow made some allusions to the Prophet Joseph Smith and said that he did many things which tried the faith of the people, and some apostatized. He thought it likely that such might be the case in our day. Referred to the Elks Carnival and the part his daughter, Mabel, had taken as queen. This action on his part might try the faith of some of the people, perhaps some of the apostles, but it was right and would accomplish good. He felt assured of this.
After the Presidency had withdrawn, the minutes of the meeting were read and adopted. The brethren of the Twelve were unanimous in the opinion that the people in the south would not be satisfied with an endowment house, but would want a temple, though modest in appearance and cost. The thought was expressed that a temple sufficient to meet their wants would cost but little more than an endowment house. Apostle Young was delegated to bring this matter to the attention of the Presidency. Adjourned to Jan. 7th, 1902. (1)
-- Oct 3, 1901
President [Lorenzo] Snow presided at the meeting of the First Presidency and Apostles at the Temple today; at that meeting the following items were discussed. The condition of Maricopa [Arizona] Stake was talked of by the brethren some of whom had made recent visits there and had found a spirit of unrest among the people. Brother Hakes had become discouraged, having lost his property and our people have lost control of the water of that country hence their influence was gradually decreasing. The needs of the stake were talked over but it was decided to defer further consideration until after the General Conference when it is expected that President Hakes will be in Salt Lake City. The subject of an endowment house for Arizona was briefly considered, the sentiment being generally in favor of it, that the people of the south might be able to get the blessings of the house of the Lord without incurring the expense of coming to the Salt Lake or one of the other Temples. Brother [Marriner Wood] Merrill, who had been in the Bighorn country for the purpose of looking it over and seeing what had been done, suggested that a move be made to encourage our people to colonize that country. There was room in it he said for several stakes and it was good for settling purposes in all respects. President [Joseph F.] Smith reported that the officers of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations had agreed to make tobacco using, lack of reference for the authorities of the Priesthood, breaking of the Sabbath etc. subjects on which to talk to the young people. Elder Reed Smoot reported the need of special work being done among our young people at Panguitch [Utah], there being a very rough element in that locality. The following note from George F. Cortelyou, Secretary to President [Theodore] Roosevelt, dated Executive Mansion, Washington, September 28th, 1901, addressed to President Lorenzo Snow, was received at the president's office today: "The President appreciates your kind message of recent date, and requests me to thank you for your kindly expressions. Very truly yours." (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 - Journal History
LDS History Chronology: Lorenzo Snow
Mormon History Timeline: the life of Lorenzo Snow
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
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