A meeting of the Apostles was held
at 10 o'clock this morning in the Temple; all present, including Geo. Q. Cannon
and Joseph F. Smith. These two brethren, by unanimous vote of the Council of
the Twelve (now presiding over the Church in lieu of the First Presidency just
dissolved) were received back as members of that body, and too their seats in
the Council according to the order of ordination, with President Lorenzo Snow
presiding. President Snow, by the action of the Council, was placed in charge
of all Church affairs until the First Presidency should again be organized.
Brothers Cannon and Smith were presented with the desks they had occupied in
the President's Office, and Bro. A. O. Woodruff was presented with the desk
that his deceased father had occupied, and they were authorized to take them
away from the office. A new desk was purchased for the use of President Snow.
At the above meeting, President
Snow spoke, referring solemnly to the absence of Pres. Woodruff, whose death
had disorganized the first quorum of the Church. He suggested the possible presence
with them on this occasion of Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford
Woodruff, and other departed leaders, and spoke of the great responsibility
which had now fallen upon the quorum of the Twelve. He felt thankful beyond
expression for the union that existed in the Council of the Apostles, and he
believed, and in fact knew, that by each one laboring unselfishly for the cause
of Zion, their labors would be crowned with success, and they would triumph. He
exhorted the brethren to be charitable to each other, and to accept their new
duties and responsibilities in all humility as servants of the Lord Jesus
Christ. He offered to vacate his position as President of the Twelve, and
thus give place to any one else who might be the unanimous choice of the
Council.
Jos. F. Smith moved, and several
of the brethren seconded and it was voted heartily and unanimously that Lorenzo
Snow be sustained in his position as President of the Council of the Twelve
Apostles. (Journal
History, September 9, 1898, 2)
