120 years ago today - Nov 2, 1899; Thursday

President Snow inquired why prayer circles had ceased with the Council. No reason was assigned for their discontinuance, except that it had become inconvenient for President [Wilford] Woodruff to clothe, and the custom had gradually been laid aside. President Snow thought that the Council should resume its prayer circle, and it was the feeling of all present that this should be done. ...

It was now decided to resume the Council prayer circle on the first Thursday in December.

Brother John Henry Smith remarked that a man named Samuelson had approached him, saying that he had given some thought to the subject of the Godhead. It was represented in one place, in the Prophet Joseph [Smith]'s lecture on the subject, that the Father is a personage of spirit, and in another place that he has a body of flesh and bones, also the Son. The speaker thought it would be a good thing for young theological students if there could be a reconciliation of these two statements.

President Snow believed that the best thing to do with such matters was to let them alone. He thought it proper to make necessary explanations when it was wise to do so, but there were some things that could not be reconciled to man's present finite understanding. The President then referred to the subject of the Holy Ghost and invited the brethren who had definite ideas regarding it to express themselves. In confirming members of the Church, it was customary to say to them "Receive Ye the Holy Ghost". And yet we are told that the Holy Ghost rested upon Jesus in the form of a dove. Speaking of his own experience when confirmed, President Snow said that he felt a burning sensation running from his head to his feet, and he now asked the brethren if they thought that was a personage of spirit that was resting upon him.

Brother Lyman answered, "No, that it was the power and spirit of the Holy Ghost," and Brother Lund added that when a person received the Holy Ghost, it was its power that he received, even the spirit of light and truth. ...

[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]

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