Salt Lake City, Utah,

Wednesday, January 4th, 1922.

Woke at two o'clock and spent the time until five dictating letters.

Reached my office at 9:15.

At 10:30 the First Presidency and Apostles and members of the First Council of Seventy met in the office of the Presidency and we listened to a long paper asking questions regarding the Book of Mormon, which paper was read by Bro. B. H. Roberts.

At 12:30 the meeting adjourned, and I had lunch at the Lion House with Bros. George Albert Smith and David O. McKay.

Called at the Deseret Gymnasium and played volley ball for an hour.

At 4:30 the First Presidency, Apostles and First Council of Seventy met again and listened to another long paper by Bro. Roberts. The meeting lasted until six p.m.

I had written some books for members of the family of Geo. W. John Dern who died recently, also for the family of those brothers who died in the mission field.

It was after 9 o'clock when I left the office. I signed a lot of letters after the meeting. Today has been a strenuous one.

Salt Lake City,

Thursday, January 5th, 1922.

Woke again at two o'clock. Wrote an open letter to Mr. George H. Dern, spent the time reading and dictating letters to my dictaphone for nearly two hours. I then had a nap of nearly two hours and a half, which was very restful, felt fine after that. Dictated some more letters to my machine and reached the office shortly after nine.

Was busy until after ten when I met with the brethren in the temple. I was late on account of calling up Bro. Charles W. Penrose, who is not feeling well this morning and his request that I assist in revising the temple.

We were at the temple until 3:30, listening to another article prepared by Brother Roberts giving arguments against the Book of Mormon and questions asked, and in listening to different members who were present express their views regarding the matter.

At 3:30 attended directors meeting of Zion's Savings Bank and Trust Company. The annual statement of condition was read showing the bank to be in most excellent condition, with good earning capacity, earning 16.4% on the capital. As the stock fell to very little less than 200. it is better than <most> any investment<s> at the present market price.

After the bank meeting, signed a lot of mail.

From 5 until 7:30 met in the Presidency's office with the First Presidency, Apostles and First Council of Seventy and we still further discussed the Book of Mormon problems that had been presented yesterday and this morning by Bro. Roberts. I appointed Bros. A. W. Ivins, James E. Talmage and John A. Widtsoe as a committee to assist Bro. Roberts in formulating answers to the questions that had been propounded to him by Bro. Riter in response to requests for information by <a> gentleman in the east who claims to be anxious to learn regarding the languages of the people described in the Book of Mormon and regarding the domestic animals reported to have been discovered in this country, and other items. I am impressed that the gentleman propounding these questions is not a seeker after truth but is a man who is anxious to discredit the Book of Mormon. Each and every one of the brethren in their talks today testified of their perfect and absolute faith in the divinity of the book of Mormon and the truthfulness of the record, and the brethren expressed themselves that they felt sure that in the providences of the Lord evidences could be adduced sufficient to sustain the Book of Mormon from archaeological and other investigations for every honest seeker after truth. I testified to the inspiration and testimony that came to me as a boy of about fifteen of the divinity of the Book of Mormon when I read it carefully and prayerfully at that time. Our meetings have been intensely interesting to me, and I feel that they have been profitable. Yesterday and today I believe will be counted as memorable days by all of the brethren who had the privilege of being present at our meetings.

It was after eight o'clock before I reached my home.

Today has been a very strenuous one for me.

I had copies of the letter written to Mr. Dern this morning before getting out of bed <made> for his brother and his three sisters. I sent a copy of volume one of "Heart Throbs" and "The Prince of Peace" to Mr. George H. Dern, his brother and three sisters as an expression of my sympathy for them on account of the death of their father and of my esteem for the late John Dern. I looked upon him as one of our most substantial and splendid citizens. He has never joined in any anti-Mormon propaganda, and has always been a friend to the people of Utah, a man of integrity and fair to those who differed with him politically and religiously as stated in my letter to his son George. I have a high opinion of George H. Dern, I am not personally acquainted with his brother or sisters.