Comments on: J. Golden Kimball, in His Own Words

By: Lucy

Lucy — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 20:43:20 +0000

J. Golden Kimball set my father apart as a missionary. He was a giant of a man. Whether or not he said all that he said is of no importance. He was a man of his times; he was a staunch member of the Church and loved it dearly. He would have fought for it. What does it matter if he said a few things. A speaker recently said he ‘apologized in advance for speaking of J. Golden Kimball’ and then went into something he said. I told him afterwards to never apologize for J. Golden Kimball. He is/was bigger than all of us…both then and now.

By: BruceC

BruceC — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:41:39 +0000

This is a glimpse into the reality of WOW observance prior to HJG.

Makes you wonder if sometime in the future there will be other changes in how we observe the commandments. The current trend is to less specificity. But that could change. Any thoughts on what future changes might be?

By: S.Faux

S.Faux — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:34:47 +0000

J. Golden’s personality seeps through pages now over 122 years old. The last lines read (the best I can discern):

“At once commenced keeping the Word of Wisdom and was sick all day.
Was set apart as a Seventy. Bro. Alred acting as mouth.”

It is a blessing to have colorful people in this Church to whom the imperfect can relate. Hmmm, I guess that would be all of us.

By: Stephen M (Ethesis)

Stephen M (Ethesis) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 01:18:10 +0000

J. Golden Kimball was a muleskinner as a young man, on the project of building the temple. He learned to use some terms of language as he learned to breath, and was as aware of his speech, sometimes, as he was breathing.

Interesting how Spencer W. Kimball learned to think about profanity.

By: bbell

bbell — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:33:58 +0000

This is a glimpse into the reality of WOW observance prior to HJG. Thanks for the look Ardis!!!

By: Jon W.

Jon W. — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:59:17 +0000

Wow that was perfectly awesome!

By: Michelle Glauser

Michelle Glauser — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 08:47:28 +0000

I commenced keeping the Word of Wisdom. So cool. This is why I’m studying diaries. They’re such a delightful honest insight into people.

By: m&m

m&m — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:18:45 +0000

I don’t know which is more fun — reading the words or seeing the handwriting. There is nothing quite like an original journal page.

And the fact that he was frugally using an old journal is priceless as well.

By: The Right Trousers

The Right Trousers — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 05:29:51 +0000

Thanks for transcribing it, Ardis. I had stopped at what I read as “Bro. Headcrab”… which would be awesome, if a little anachronistic.

By: Brian Duffin

Brian Duffin — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:59:03 +0000

Wonderful post, Ardis! I am a huge fan of J. Golden Kimball. I would that more GA’s were like Elder Kimball.