Diary Excerpts of Henry Ballard

August 4, A Prayer Circle was organized with Bro. E. T. Benson as President. It was held in an upper room in Bro. Hezekiah Thatcher's house. I was priveleged to be a member of the same.

August 4, 1867

September 8, W. Woodruff spoke upon the follies of many that left the Church in an early day, also now Pres. Young spoke upon the order of the Priesthood and the causes of some leaving the Church and of Oliver Cowdrey putting in the chapter upon marriage in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants and not Joseph Smith's wish. G. A. Smith spoke upon home manufacture. E. Snow, G. Q. Cannon and T. B. H. Stenhouse bore their testimonies.

September 8, 1867

In the evening J. F. Smith gave a lecture upon the history of Joseph Smith the Prophet. He said in 15 years the time would be up when the Lord told Joseph that he should see him, but it must be by him going to him in the spirit world.

January 15, 1876

May 5, Bro. F. D. Richards spoke upon the duties of the Saints in attending to their prayers. Bro. J. F. Smith bore a powerful testimony upon the principle of Celestial Marriage; said it was obligatory upon the Saints to fulfill that law, for it was revealed from God for the exultation of the Latter-day Saints, but it would damn those that practiced it for a lustful desire, but the Lord would bless those that obeyed it in righteousness. Pres. J. Taylor spoke at great length upon the order of the Priesthood; said that men must magnify it or give it up;

May 5, 1878

At the evening meeting Apostle F. M. Lyman spoke at great length upon the duties of the Priesthood; said men should not be ordained to the higher when they had not done their duty in the Lessor, and said all the Quorums should be kept busy at work. Pres. J. F. Smith followed upon the same strain, also said when a young couple were not worthy to go to the Temple to get married. The Bishop should counsel them to get married by the Bishop, and let them prove themselves as worthy first.

January 28, 1894

Pres. Snow then stated the object of the meeting, namely the law of tithing which had been so much neglected in the past by this people which the Lord was now requiring them to observe, but was willing to forgive the past neglect. Pres. Snow read 106 sec. in D. & C., also 85 sec., made some comments upon them; said the Saints would be called to Jackson Co., in 10 or 15 years to build up the Center Stake of Zion; also read 119 sec. in D & C explaining what the Lord wanted as a tithing. Said that in 12 years we had robbed the Lord $10,000,000, read 86 sec. in D & C commencing at 6 verse. Presiding Bp. Wm. B. Preston spoke, said one-quarter of the L.D.S. did not pay their tithing; said they cut themselves off from the Church and their names should not be found upon its records. Apostle John H. Smith said missionaries should not baptize new members without first teaching them the law of tithing and sacrifice. Apostle M. F. Lyman said Bishops should bear the burden of the word of the Lord to the people. It is too much for the Presidency and Apostles. Said tithing is not enough alone, but we should obey this law first; said the time had come when people wishing to get their blessings in the House of the Lord must comply with that law before getting a recommend to get the blessing. They must go upon their merits the same as earning the money before making a purchase. The Holy City will be built by the law of consecration. Prepare yourselves for the redemption of Zion and the Coming of the Son of Man.

July 2, 1899

March 4, Bro. Samuel Roskelly, president of the High Priests' Quorum of the Stake organized our prayer circle in the second ward, and I was in attendance and the brethren administered to me. We had a good time enjoying much of the Spirit of the Lord in the dedication of the room and in the order of prayer, together with much good instruction. There were 21 in attendance. We concluded to hold it the first Sunday of each month at noon.

March 4, 1900

January 28, Bro. Cowley spoke very plain upon the duties of the Saints honoring the laws of God as they were not changed, although the nation deprived us of living some of them. He said no one should be sustained to hold an office in the Church that would not honor it.

January 28, 1901

Bro. Samuel Roskelly met with us in our prayer circle and dedicated a new room that we had just got finished. We got a good company together and had a good time.

February 2, 1901