Chapter I: Preface

{iii} Among the numerous sects and churches of the present day, the Latter-day Saints are distinguished as builders of Temples. In this respect they resemble Israel of olden time. It is not surprising that great and widespread interest is manifest respecting this peculiarity of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, nor that questions are continually arising as to the purpose and motive behind this great labor, and the nature of the ordinances administered in these modern Houses of the Lord. To answer some of these questions, and to place within the reach of earnest inquirers authentic information concerning the doctrine and practise of Temple ministration, this book has been written.

By way of affording means of easy comparison between the Temple-building achievements of past and those of current time, a brief treatment of the sanctuaries of earlier dispensations has been included. While detailed information pertaining to ancient Temples and related sanctuaries is accessible to all, through cyclopedias, Bible dictionaries and works of more special scope, but little concerning the Temples of today and the sacred service therein rendered has been published in separate form. The official "History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" contains abundant data on the subject; but the information is distributed through many tomes, and is of access to comparatively few.

Among the special publications in this field, most of which are primarily devoted to the history and description of the Temple at Salt Lake City, are the following:

{iv} "Temples: Descriptive and historical sketches of ancient and modern sacred edifices," a pamphlet of 28 pages, by J. M. Sjodahl, Salt Lake City, 1892. This covers the history of the Salt Lake City Temple to the time of the laying of the capstone, April, 1892. The pamphlet contains outline drawings.

"The Salt Lake Temple," an article by James H. Anderson, published in "The Contributor," Vol. XIV, No. 6, April, 1893, 60 pages with numerous illustrations of the Temple at different stages, together with details of construction, and portraits of Church officials and others connected with the erection of the great structure.

"Historical and descriptive sketch of the Salt Lake Temple," an illustrated pamphlet of 36 pages published by the Deseret News, Salt Lake City, April, 1893.

"A Description of the Great Temple, Salt Lake City, and a statement concerning the purposes for which it has been built," a pamphlet of 40 pages, by D. M. McAllister, Salt Lake City, 1912. This contains half-tone engravings of both exterior and interior views.

In the present undertaking the author has been the recipient of many courtesies and much assistance from the officials of the several Temples, the Church Historian and his assistants, the general authorities of the Church, and many others. To all who have assisted in the pleasing labor his obligations are respectfully acknowledged.

The photographs showing interior views of the Salt Lake City Temple are the work of the C. R. Savage Company, to whom thanks are tendered for liberal, courteous, and efficient service.

James E. Talmage

Salt Lake City, Utah, September 21, 1912.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I.
A PRE-VIEW OF THE SUBJECT.
A general view of sanctuaries of ancient and modern times.

CHAPTER II.
SANCTUARIES IN EARLIER DISPENSATIONS.
The "Testimony."--Provisional Tabernacle.--Third Tabernacle.--Temple
of Solomon.--Temple of Ezekiel's vision.--Temple of
Zerubbabel.--Temple of Herod.

CHAPTER III.
NEED OF TEMPLES IN THE PRESENT DISPENSATION.
Necessity of obedience to the laws and ordinances of the
Gospel.--Authority to labor in behalf of the dead.--Temples
required for vicarious service.

CHAPTER IV.
MODERN TEMPLE ORDINANCES.
Baptism for the dead.--Ordination and endowment.--Salvation and
exaltation.--Degrees of glory.--Sealing in marriage.--Other
sealing ordinances.

CHAPTER V.
MODERN DAY TEMPLES.
Temple-site at Independence, Missouri.--Kirtland Temple.--Temple-site
at Far West, Missouri.--Nauvoo Temple.

CHAPTER VI.
THE GREAT TEMPLE AT SALT LAKE CITY--HISTORICAL.
Beginning of the work.--Early description.--Laying of
the capstone.--Completion of the building and its
dedication.--Dedicatory Prayer.

{vi}
CHAPTER VII.
THE GREAT TEMPLE AT SALT LAKE CITY--EXTERIOR.
Architectural style.--General description.--Emblematical stones.

CHAPTER VIII.
THE GREAT TEMPLE AT SALT LAKE CITY--INTERIOR.
The Annex.--Corridors and rooms of the Temple.

CHAPTER IX.
TEMPLE BLOCK.
The Old Tabernacle.--The Tabernacle.--General Service Plant

CHAPTER X.
OTHER UTAH TEMPLES.
St. George Temple.--Logan Temple.--Manti Temple.

CHAPTER XI.
CONCLUSION.
The Lesser or Aaronic Priesthood operative in ancient Temples.--The
Higher or Melchisedek Priesthood operative in Temples of today.

PLATES.
Illustrations of Modern Temples.