90 years ago today - Jan 2, 1931

[James E. Talmage]

Attended a 9:30 a.m. meeting of the Council of the Twelve hld in President Rudger Clawson's office. The purpose of this gathering was to consider a protest made by Elder Brigham H. Roberts, senior president of the First Council of Seventy against a discourse delivered by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith of the Council of the Twelve at a genealogical conference held in April last. The main point at issue is the affirmation by Elder Smith that prior to the Fall there was no death of either plants or animals upon the earth. At today's meeting Elder Roberts responded to an invitation and made an oral and extemporaneous address, supporting his protest. It should be said that what is herein called a 'protest' was simply a letter addressed to the First Presidency, later referred by them to the Twelve, asking whether the utterances of Elder Smith were to be considered as expressions of personal opinion or as authoritative statements sustained by the First Presidency and Twelve. By common consent and agreement Brother Roberts is to present his views in writing.

[James E. Talmage Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]