Monday, Dec. 10/66 I resume my writing in my Journal, after a stoppage of nearly 12 months. In reading what I have written it is very interesting, and I now regret that I have not kept up the practice regularly; my only excuse for this neglect is the press of business. I have been very busy indeed. My duties in the Office and writing for and publishing the Juvenile Instructor.

This day the Legislature convened. Being a member of the Council I met with it. Geo. A. Smith was elected President of the Council; Patrick Lynch was elected Secretary and Cha’s. W. Stayner, Assistant Secretary; John Smith, Patriarch, was elected Sergeant-at-Arms; Frank H’y. Hyde, son of Orson, was chosen Messenger and Joseph Beesley, Foreman.

Tuesday, Dec. 11th/66 Met in Council and then in Joint session where we listened to Governor Durkee’s Message – a pretty good document for such a man – a Gentile – to deliver. Bro. Rob’t. L. Campbell, Chief Clerk of the House read it.

Wednesday, Dec. 12/66. Busy at Office and at the Council

Thursday, Dec. 13/66. At the Endowment House and at the Office and Council.

Friday, Dec. 14/66. At the Office during the forenoon and at 1 p.m. met with the Council. Busy at the Office until between 9 and 10 p.m.

Saturday, 15th/66. At the Office and then the Endowment House.

Sunday <16th> and through the week busy as usual.

Sunday, Dec. 23/66. Pres H C Kimball spoke in the morning, and I met between meetings with the Circle with which I was connected and over which I presided. In the afternoon Pres. B. Young spoke respecting our dealings with the Merchants. The counsel has been given of late to the people to deal with their friends and especially with our own brethren in preference to doing business with any body else. Some of the brethren in their zeal in talking to the people on this subject had counselled them to not deal with any Gentile, and if they did, they would be disfellowshipped. This had made a great stir among the Gentiles, and they had come out with a card signed by 23 houses, offering to sell out their goods and other property and improvements at a cash valuation, with a deduction of 25 per cent; but all their outstanding accounts must also <be> paid. They sent a copy of the Card to Pres. B. Young and another for publication as an advertisement to the Telegraph. Bro. Brigham wished me to write a reply to the Card, which I did on Friday, the 21st. He thought He told me how he wanted it written, and it was handed to the Telegraph for publication and appeared on Saturday, the 22^nd, over his signature. This had an excellent effect.

Attended Council after the afternoon meeting, the subject of the [two words redacted relating to a temple ordinance] was alluded to, and the President said that he was desirous that they this ordinance should be attended to. In the evening went with Bro. C C Rich, at his request, to the 15th Ward meeting. Bro. <Edward> Stevenson was speaking when we went in. Bro. Rich followed, and then I spoke for about half-an-hour.

Monday, Dec. 24/66. Met in the Council and attended to the business of legislation. Also busily employed at the office.

Tuesday, Dec. 25/66 At the Office in the former part of the day. Had Bishop Hoagland and his wife (my father-in-law and mother-in-law) Bro. Cha^s Lambert and his wife (my sister Mary Alice) Lucas Hoagland (my wife Elizabeth’s brother) his wife; my Uncle <Elder John Taylor>[,] and [2 illegible words] Uncle John Taylor Leonora and Bro. Rall and his two wives at dinner and spent the evening at home.

Wednesday, Dec. 26/66. 42 [blank]

[written at a later time:] Virgen city came out to meet 80 scholars Sunday School

Bro. [blank] Jepson Superintendent

sing a song