Elder Sutton took this photo of JC Garland at his home in Millers Cove in 1917.

“In the spring of 1893 I, [William Lehi Hayes], was called to go on a mission to the Southern States. It was no easy task to leave my little baby girl for two years. (My diary kept during my mission will give a history of that 30 months spent in Tennessee and North Carolina). After my release on June 10, 1895, I came down with malaria fever and could not start for home until [the] latter part of August and reached home on [the] evening of Aug[ust] 31. I was at the home of some good friends during this sickness, Bro[ther] and Sister Jos[eph John Calvin (JC)] Garland in Blount Co[unty], Tenn[essee]. I shall never forget their kindness. In 1909 I persuaded them to visit Utah and have their temple work done, which they did and were very happy over their visit and its results. During my two months violent illness I was watched over by day and night by my lifelong friend John R[oland] Halliday. Without his constant watch care the final outcome of my illness may have been written up in another way entirely. I always feel that l owe him a debt of gratitude which I have been free to express.”

-Elder William Lehi Hayes

[Monday] – 24 December [1894] Reading and in forenoon. Played harpsichord in the PM. Spent day inside. At night we played “Santa Clause” to the family putting an orange and an apple in each sock or stocking with rocks chips (sic) and sundry other articles for amusement. Bro[ther John Calvin (JC)] Garland undressed and went to bed and left his trousers within reach so we put a gnat[ty] big pumpkin (or punkin) in them and sewed them up, legs and all, and retired for the night.

[Tuesday] – 25 December [1894] A Merry Christmas to all! We are awoken by the children’s jolly cheers. The best fun came when Bro[ther John Calvin (JC)] Garland went to put on his pants. He [illegible] on Elders [Thomas Watts] Sloan, [John Roland] Halliday and [illegible] to my surprise. Santa came to me, bought a nice celuford (sic) soap box. Congenial old Mr. R. he shall never be forgotten. All day was spent in games of various kinds, chiefly Fox and Geese. All night we had a hilarious old time. Played “Brother I’m [illegible] Panorama” and we finished a trap for Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] G[arland] by hanging a bucket of bran just over the door so that when he pushed the door open it tipped the bucket up and spilled the bran down his neck. Elder [John Roland] Halliday and I skipped into the dark and Bro[ther John Calvin (JC)] G[arland] threw bran all over Elder [Thomas Watts] Sloan. In all the day was a jolly one, though we often thought and spoke of home and loved ones and wondered how the little ones were spending the day. How beautiful are the serene thoughts of Zion with her hills surrounded. We also had a concert in the evening. Each one having either to sing or speak. We shall never forget the happy hours spent under this old moss-covered roof. Perhaps next year will be spent under our own vine and our own fig tree with those who render life so sweet.

This photo is of Elder Sutton and JC Garland at his home in Millers Cove in 1917.

“Elder Edgar Osguthorpe and J[ohn] H[enry] Shaw, laboring in Washington Co[ounty], were prevented from baptizing a man last Sunday by threats of mob violence.

Elder [George] Henry Erickson and H[eber] J[ohn] Smith write from Blount Co[unty]: Held a meeting at Pine Grove Church on June 2nd, it rained and only [a] few men came out, but we preached. Left an appointment for Monday, June 7th. Went back there and found an anonymous letter on the pulpit warning us that if we preached there any more, there would be a “gospel” ball shot into us, as big as a wash tub shot into us. Of course, we didn’t know what they meant, so we paid no attention to it and held a meeting with about forty people present. There was no disturbance.

-Elder W[allace] H[unt] Larson, Pres[ident of the East Tennessee Conference]“

[Friday] – 25 January [1895] We went over into Happy Valley today in company with Bro[ther Joseph John Calvin (JC)] Garland. Had dinner on the way with Green Buchanan in head of Millers Cove, then crossed the Chilhowee Mountain, reached Uncle Thomas Hear[o]n‘s about 3 PM. It had been just 16 months since I had been there or seen them, but they knew me “on sight” and said they would know my hide in the tan yard or could tell my voice in the dark. Bless their good kind hearts, what a pity they do not get initiated into the fold of Christ that they may be fully rewarded for their many acts of kindness to our elders. We had a grand conversation until a late hour.

[Saturday] – 26 January [1895] Today was so cold and windy that we remained under cover all day, which with the forepart of the night was spent in discussing scripture. Uncle Tom [Hearon] is a jewel.

This stone plaque, with the photo and narrative of the life of Charles Callis, sits in St Audoen’s park near the centre of Dublin. Elder Callis is the only person born in the Emerald Isle to become a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in this dispensation. His service in the Apostleship lasted from 1933 until his death in 1947.

The plaque tells of some of the events of his early life:

The second child of John Callis and Susannah Charlotte Quilliam…at the death of his Father, and while Charles was still a small boy, his mother moved the family to Liverpool, where they became Latter-day Saints. In 1875, the family emigrated… and joined the main body of the Church in Utah.

The plaque goes on to describe Charles Callis’ ‘distinguished professional life, practising law and serving in several political positions, including… city councilman and county attorney in Coalville, Utah.’

However, his formal working life began in the coal mines at age 16 and his later success was due to the determined course of self-education undertaken in his spare time, focusing particularly on the law.

From 1893 he served for two years in the British Mission, spending most of his time as president of the Irish conference. In 1902 he married Grace Pack, and four years later she accompanied him when he was called to serve in the southern United States. He would serve as Mission President there for twenty-five years. The Church was still very unpopular in the southern states at the time, but through his eloquence and knowledge of the law Callis was able to win great respect for the Church in that region.

Charles Callis testified:

From my earliest recollections to the present time I have always had an abiding and intense love for my Savior. I cannot read the story of His sufferings and crucifixion without shedding tears.

The memorial plaque in Dublin was dedicated by Elder Neal A. Maxwell in 1989.