Dreamed I was with R[ichard] R L[yman] in his car. ... Went to Temple at 2 10 of 12 Present Including R[ichard]. R. L[yman]. [Charles A.] Callis & [Ezra Taft] Benson absent. Charges admitted by Richard. A sad occasion He made no defense admitted more than known before. I am shocked and grieved. R[ichard]. R. seemed not to realize his wrong. All brethren in tears. Excommunicated R[ichard]. R. Decided to publish notice in [Deseret] News. Am feeling the effects of having 8 teeth extracted yesterday. I had a phone call from the office informing me of a special meeting of the Twelve, called for 3:00 P.M. in the Temple to-day. I answered that my gums are still bleeding and that I thought I better not attend. Later, Elder Jos. Fielding Smith phoned saying the meeting of the Twelve called to meet in the Temple was of great importance and it was desired that all the members be present, so I responded to the call. It was there that I learned that Richard R. Lyman was to be tried for his standing charged with immoral conduct. Evidence showed that he had been discovered in bed with a woman not his wife, this by officers of the law and certain brethren accompanying them. He confessed his guilt and stated that it had been carried on for ten years or more, and that he had similar associations with other women before he was made an Apostle. As senior apostle next to the President of the quorum I felt it my duty to make the motion for excommunication which I did between sobs of sorrow. The motion was as follows: I move that Richard R. Lyman be excommunicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for Unchristian like and immoral conduct. The motion was seconded by Elder Jos. Fielding Smith and carried unanimously. Elders Callis & Benson not present. Elder Harold B. Lee and I presented to the First Presidency and President George Albert Smith of the Council of the Twelve, an accusation against Richard R. Lyman and asked that a trial be held. At three p.m. the council was called together and the charges against Richard R. Lyman were presented and sustained. He admiting [sic] the charge as being true which was in our complaint. The council took action and Richard R. Lyman was excommunicated by the Council, in the midst of sadness and heavy hearts. Two of the members of the Council, Elders Charles A. Callis and Ezra T. Benson were absent and excused. Brother Callis was returning from the East Central States mission and Elder Benson was on leave in Washington, D.C. It was a terrible experience that came to me today. I think I can never forget the scene. We were called to a special meeting of the Council of the Twelve Apostles. Earlier in the day when I asked Bro[ther]. Lee if it was a report meeting he solemnly told me that it was not and that I should get my feet firmly on the ground anticipating it. The next two hours were filled with wonder and fear. ... The slow, deliberate and saddened approach of some of the brethren as they came to the Temple presaged something ominous was ahead of us. As soon as we were all seated the meeting was called to order and announcement was made by Pres[ident]. George Albert Smith who was almost overcome, that there was a very serious charge against one of our brethren. He then directed that the charge be read. Our hearts stood still as we heard that Richard R. Lyman, for 26 years a member of the Council of the Twelve was accused of immorality. His written confession was read and he being present did not deny the accusation nor the confession. He told also of the situations. He had little to say. He was as pale as could be. He minimized his act and seemed to feel that it should be overlooked but showed no repentance and no expressed sorrow for his sin. He tried to link his sin with polygamy but the evidence gave no corroboration to the story. It was a terrible ordeal. To see great men such as the members of this quorum all in tears, some sobbing, all shocked, stunned by the impact was an unforgettable sight! No tears from him but plenty from the rest of us and what a heart- rending experience. After considerable discussion a motion was made, seconded and we voted unanimously to excommunicate him from the Church. When he retired he said goodbye and shook hands with each of us and left the Temple, his quorum, his Church. Still stunned almost beyond recovery, the members seemed to be yet unable to believe the terrible truth.
[Source: George Albert Smith, Diary; George F. Richards, Diary; Joseph Fielding Smith, Diary; Spencer W. Kimball, Diary]
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