The Diaries of Charles Ora Card, The Canadian Years, 1886-1903
Godfrey, Donald G.
Salt Lake City
University of Utah Press
1993
26 December 1885 to 9 July 1903. Under threat of being arrested for polygamy, Card explores some of Alberta, Canada. Card visits church leaders in the area but is lonely and greatly comforted by his wives. He returns to Logan, Utah and recruits settlers for LDS settlements in Alberta. Card and Apostle John W. Taylor go to Ottawa and petition the Canadian government for permission to purchase land to colonize. Card settles Cardston, Canada and helps organize the Church there. He sends a letter to Lord Stanley of Preston, Viceroy of Canada about the settlement of Mormons. Card travels to Salt Lake City to visit with Church officials. Wilford Woodruff calls Card to the Presidency of the Canadian mission. Card goes to court over a divorce, and faces persecution for polygamy in Canada as well. The Saints found Aetna, Canada, and Card travels repeatedly to Utah, as well as Canadian settlements. During the snowy seasons, he describes what he reads. He also describes Church meetings, and keeps particularly detailed notes on General Conferences in Salt Lake City. The Alberta, Canada Stake is organized, with Card as president. He creates a Chamber of Commerce to work with the Church stores in Alberta and supervises the construction of a major irrigation canal for the region. Members of the LDS First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve Apostles visit Card in Alberta. Cardston is incorporated by the Canadian Government and Card helps found cities, branches and a sugar factory. Card begins to dictate his diaries and is released as stake president of the Alberta Stake as his health deteriorates.