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George F. Richards in 1927 in a painting by Lee Greene Richards, courtesy of the Church History Museum, courtesy of Church News.All rights reserved.This story appears here courtesy of TheChurchNews.com. It is not for use by other media.
By Trent Toone, Church News
Three additional volumes of the journal of George F. Richards, who served as an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1906 to 1950, have been published online through the Church Historian’s Press.
The release of the new volumes was announced in a news release on December 17.
With the publication of the new volumes, 17 of Elder Richards’ planned 24 volumes are now available to view at churchhistorianspress.org.
3 New Volumes
The newly released volumes span four years, from August 1911 to February 1915, and document Elder Richards’s travels and activities as a Latter-day Saint Apostle, including many family and personal developments. The trio of volumes also provide his observations on the sinking of the Titanic and World War I.
(Note: Quotations from the cited journal entries used in this article have been modernized and updated for spelling and grammar.)
The Titanic
On April 18, 1912, Elder Richards wrote about the loss of the Titanic and many of its passengers after the steam liner struck an iceberg and sank in the Atlantic Ocean. He called it “one of the catastrophes of this century.”
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A panoramic vintage photo of the Titanic, a British passenger liner that struck an iceberg and sank, shows a gash in the hull from an iceberg. The salvage firm that has plucked artifacts from the sunken Titanic over the decades is seeking a judge’s permission to rescue more items from the rapidly deteriorating wreck. 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.World War I
After war had broken out throughout much of Europe on September 8, 1914, Elder Richards wrote, “The war news of Europe claims a part of my time each day though I scarcely ever mention it in my diary.”
Less than 20 days later, however, he wrote about the growing crisis in Europe: “The war in France between the allies, French, English and the Germans is being waged with continued fierceness. Also, the Russians and Austrians are doing bloody work. Other nations are also at war, and Mexico is just in the throes of another revolution, which may, however, be averted by the kind offices of the United States government. Surely, there never was so far as I have heard of such a battle of world powers. The casualties are reported by the thousands almost daily.”
On September 28, 1914, Elder Richards read a newspaper and wrote: “Today’s paper announces that Siberia has declared war against Austria and Germany in sympathy with Russia. The war news indicates bloody fighting on an enormous scale both in Austria and France, with thousands laying down their lives every day and many thousands wounded daily. I think of the widows and fatherless, of parents, sisters and others in mourning, and the poverty and distress and pestilence to follow. May the Lord overrule all for good and strengthen those who are tried for their trials. I thank the Lord for peace here and pray its extension.”
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Apostle George F. Richards’ journal, January 1914 to March 1915, photo by Tyler Thorsted, courtesy of Church Historian’s Press, courtesy of Church News.All rights reserved.Elder Richards wrote faithfully to his son, LeGrand Richards, who was called to preside over the Church’s Netherlands Mission in 1913. On September 25, 1914, he wrote, “My son LeGrand is still in Holland presiding over the Netherlands Mission.” LeGrand Richards later served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from 1952 until his death in 1983.
On October 1, 1914, Elder Richards wrote that the Church’s First Presidency received a “cable gram” providing word of the safe arrival in England of the missionaries from the Swiss and German mission and reporting that “all Continental missionaries released: All well.” Elder Richards interpreted that message “to include Holland so suppose LeGrand and family will soon be leaving Holland for home or some other mission.”
Two weeks later, on October 13, 1914, Elder Richards summarized a letter from his son stating that his son’s wife, Ina Jane, was “not in a condition to make the journey home and that they will be obliged to remain in Holland or England for some time.” Ina Jane Richards was in the final stages of her pregnancy.
Two and half months later, on December 28, 1914, Richards noted, “A letter from our son LeGrand now in Holland dated December 9 announces the birth of a fine baby girl on the 8th.”
On December 1, 1914, Elder Richards wrote that he “sent to LeGrand in Holland $20 to distribute among the poor. Also mailed to him a copy of the Oct[ober] Con[ference] pamphlet at his request.”
How to Read George F. Richards’ Journals
Elder Richards’ journal is a valuable source for early 20th-century Church history. The transcripts of the journal are available at churchhistorianspress.org/george-f-richards.
