Chapter VI: The Great Temple at Salt Lake City, Utah--Historical (2)

"We come before thee with joy and thanksgiving, with spirits
jubilant and hearts filled with praise, that thou hast permitted
us to see this day for which, during these forty years, we have
hoped, and toiled, and prayed, when we can dedicate unto thee this
house which we have built to thy most glorious name. One year ago
we set the capstone with shouts of Hosanna to God and the Lamb. And
today we dedicate the whole unto thee, with {163} all that pertains
unto it, that it may be holy in thy sight; that it may be a house
of prayer, a house of praise and of worship; that thy glory may
rest upon it; that thy holy presence may be continually in it; that
it may be the abode of thy Well-Beloved Son, our Savior; that the
angels who stand before thy face may be the hallowed messengers who
shall visit it, bearing to us thy wishes and thy will, that it may
be sanctified and consecrated in all its parts holy unto thee, the
God of Israel, the Almighty Ruler of mankind. And we pray thee that
all people who may enter upon the threshold of this, thine house,
may feel thy power and be constrained to acknowledge that thou hast
sanctified it, that it is thy house, a place of thy holiness.

"We pray thee, Heavenly Father, to accept this building in all
its parts from foundation to capstone, with the statue that is
on the latter placed, and all the finials and other ornaments
that adorn its exterior. We pray thee to bless, that they decay
not, all the walls, partitions, floors, ceilings, roofs, and
bridging, the elevators, stairways, railings and steps, the
frames, doors, windows, and other openings, all things connected
with the lighting, heating, and sanitary apparatus, the boilers,
engines, and dynamos, the connecting pipes and wires, the lamps
and burners, and all utensils, furniture and articles used in or
connected with the holy ordinances administered in this house, the
veils and the altars, the baptismal font and the oxen on which
it rests, and all that pertains thereto, the baths, washstands
and basins. Also the safes and vaults in which the records are
preserved, with the records themselves, and all books, documents,
and papers appertaining to the office of the recorder, likewise
the library with all the books, maps, instruments, etc., that may
belong thereto. We also present before thee, for thine acceptance,
all the additions and buildings not forming a part of the main
edifice but being appendages thereto; and we pray thee to bless
all the furniture, seats, cushions, curtains, hangings, locks and
fastenings, and multitudinous other appliances and appurtenances
found in and belonging to this Temple and its annexes, with all
the work of ornamentation thereon, the painting and plastering,
the gilding and bronzing, the fine work in wood and metal of every
kind, the embroidery and needlework, the pictures and statuary, the
carved work and canopies. Also the materials of which the buildings
and their contents are made or composed--the rock, lime, mortar
and plaster, the timbers and lath, the wood of various trees, the
gold and silver, the brass and iron, and all other metals, the
silk, wool, and cotton, the skins and furs, the glass, china, and
precious stones, all these and all else herein we humbly present
for thine acceptance and sanctifying blessing.

"Our Father in heaven, we present before thee the altars which we
have prepared for thy servants and handmaidens to {164} receive
their sealing blessings. We dedicate them in the name of the Lord
Jesus Christ, unto thy most holy name, and we ask thee to sanctify
these altars, that those who come unto them may feel the power
of the Holy Ghost resting upon them, and realize the sacredness
of the covenants they enter into. And we pray that our covenants
and contracts which we make with thee and with each other may be
directed by thy Holy Spirit, be sacredly kept by us, and accepted
by thee, and that all the blessings pronounced may be realized by
all thy Saints who come to these altars, in the morning of the
resurrection of the just.

"O Lord, we pray thee to bless and sanctify the whole of this
block or piece of ground on which these buildings stand, with the
surrounding walls and fences, the walks, paths, and ornamental
beds, also the trees, plants, flowers and shrubbery that grow
in its soil; may they bloom and blossom and become exceedingly
beautiful and fragrant; and may thy Spirit dwell in the midst
thereof, that this plot of ground may be a place of rest and peace,
for holy meditation and inspired thought.

"Preserve these buildings, we beseech thee, from injury or
destruction by flood or fire; from the rage of the elements, the
shafts of the vivid lightning, the overwhelming blasts of the
hurricane, the flames of consuming fire, and the upheavals of the
earthquake, O Lord, protect them.

"Bless, we pray thee, heavenly Father, all who may be workers in
this house. Remember continually thy servant who shall be appointed
to preside within its walls; endow him richly with the wisdom of
the Holy One, with the spirit of his calling, with the power of his
Priesthood, and with the gift of discernment. Bless, according to
their calling, his assistants and all who are associated with him
in the performance of the ordinances,--baptisms, confirmations,
washings, anointings, sealings, endowments, and ordinations
which are performed herein, that all that is done may be holy
and acceptable unto thee, thou God of our salvation. Bless the
recorders and copyists, that the records of the Temple may be
kept perfect, and without omissions and errors, and that they may
also be accepted of thee. Bless, in their several positions, the
engineers, watchmen, guards, and all others who have duties to
perform in connection with the house, that they may perform them
unto thee with an eye single to thy glory.

"Remember also in thy mercy all those who have labored in the
erection of this house, or who have, in any way, by their means or
influence aided in its completion; may they in no wise lose their
reward.

"O thou God of our fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, whose God
thou delightest to be called, we thank thee with all the fervor of
overflowing gratitude that thou hast revealed the powers by which
the hearts of the children are being turned to {165} their fathers
and the hearts of the fathers to the children, that the sons of
men, in all their generations can be made partakers of the glories
and joys of the kingdom of heaven. Confirm upon us the spirit of
Elijah, we pray thee, that we may thus redeem our dead and also
connect ourselves with our fathers who have passed behind the
veil, and furthermore seal up our dead to come forth in the first
resurrection, that we who dwell on earth may be bound to those who
dwell in heaven. We thank thee for their sake who have finished
their work in mortality, as well as for our own, that the prison
doors have been opened that deliverance has been proclaimed to
the captive, and the bonds have been loosened from those who were
bound. We praise thee that our fathers, from last to first, from
now, back to the beginning, can be united with us in indissoluble
links, welded by the holy Priesthood, and that as one great family
united in thee and cemented by thy power we shall together stand
before thee, and by the power of the atoning blood of thy Son be
delivered from all evil, be saved and sanctified, exalted and
glorified. Wilt thou also permit holy messengers to visit us within
these sacred walls and make known unto us with regard to the work
we should perform in behalf of our dead. And, as thou hast inclined
the hearts of many who have not yet entered into covenant with thee
to search out their progenitors, and in so doing they have traced
the ancestry of many of thy Saints, we pray thee that thou wilt
increase this desire in their bosoms, that they may in this way aid
in the accomplishment of their work. Bless them, we pray thee, in
their labors that they may not fall into errors in preparing their
genealogies; and furthermore, we ask thee to open before them new
avenues of information, and place in their hands the records of the
past that their work may not only be correct but complete also.

"O thou Great Father of the spirits of all flesh, graciously bless
and fully qualify those upon whom thou hast placed a portion of
thine authority, and who bear the responsibilities and powers of
the Priesthood which is after the order of thy Son. Bless them all
from first to last, from thy servant who represents thee in all the
world to the latest who has been ordained to the Deacon's office.
Upon each and all confer the spirit of their calling, with a
comprehension of its duties and a loving zeal to fulfil them. Endow
them with faith, patience and understanding. May their lives be
strong in virtue and adorned with humility; may their ministrations
be effectual, their prayers be availing, and their teachings the
path of salvation. May they be united by the Spirit and power of
God in all their labors, and in every thought, word and act may
they glorify thy name and vindicate the wisdom that has made them
kings and priests unto thee.

"For thy servants of the First Presidency of the Church we {166}
first of all pray. Reveal, in great clearness, thy mind and will
unto them in all things essential for the welfare of thy people;
give them heavenly wisdom, abounding faith, and the power and gifts
necessary to enable them to preside acceptably unto thee over the
officers and members of thy Church. Remember in love thy servant
whom thou hast called to be a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator to all
mankind, whose days have been many upon the earth; yet lengthen out
his span of mortal life, we pray thee, and grant unto him all the
powers and gifts, in their completeness, of the office thou hast
conferred upon him; and in like manner bless his associates in the
Presidency of thy Church.

"Confer upon thy servants, the Twelve Apostles, a rich endowment of
thy Spirit. Under their guidance may the Gospel of the kingdom go
forth into all the world, to be preached to all nations, kindreds,
tongues, and people, that the honest in heart in every land may
hear the glad tidings of joy and salvation. Overrule, we pray thee,
in the midst of the governments of the earth, that the barriers
that now stand in the way of the spread of thy truths may be
removed, and liberty of conscience be accorded to all peoples.

"Remember in loving kindness thy servants, the Patriarchs. May
they be full of blessings for thy people Israel. May they bear
with them the seeds of comfort and consolation, of encouragement
and blessing. Fill them with the Holy Spirit of promise, and be
graciously pleased to fulfil their words of prophecy, that thy name
may be extolled in the people of thy Church and their faith in thee
and in the promises of thy ministering servants be increasingly
strengthened.

"With thy servants of the Twelve bless their associates, the
Seventies; may they be powerful in the preaching of thy word and in
bearing it to the four quarters of the earth. May an ever-widening
way be opened before them until they shall have raised the Gospel
standard in every land and proclaimed its saving truths in every
tongue, that all the islands and the continents may rejoice in
the testimony of the great work thou art in these latter days
performing on the earth.

"Bless abundantly, O Lord, the High Priests in all the varied
duties and positions to which thou hast called them. As standing
ministers of thy word in the multiplying Stakes of Zion wilt thou
endow them richly with the spirit of their exalted callings. As
Presidents, Counselors, Bishops, members of High Councils, and in
every other office which their Priesthood gives them the right
to fill, may they be righteous ministers of thy holy law, loving
fathers of the people, and as judges in the midst of the Saints may
they deal out just and impartial judgment tempered with mercy and
love.

"So also, in their various callings, confer precious gifts of
wisdom, faith and knowledge upon thy servants, the Elders, {167}
Priests, Teachers, and Deacons, that all may diligently perform
their part in the glorious labors thou hast called thy Priesthood
to bear.

"Forget not, we beseech thee, thy servants the missionaries, who
are proclaiming the saving truths that thou hast revealed for
man's redemption to the millions who are now overshadowed by deep
spiritual darkness. Preserve them from all evil, deliver them from
mob violence, may they want no good thing, but be greatly blessed
with the gifts and powers of their ministry. Remember also their
families, that they may be sustained and comforted by thee and be
cherished and cared for by thy Saints.

"We pray thee for the members of thy Holy Church throughout all the
world, that thy people may be so guided and governed of thee, that
all who profess to be and call themselves Saints may be preserved
in the unity of the faith, in the way of truth, in the bonds of
peace, and in holiness of life. Strengthen the weak, we pray thee,
and impart thy Spirit unto all.

"Our Father, may peace abide in all the homes of thy Saints; may
holy angels guard them; may they be encompassed by thine arms of
love; may prosperity shine upon them, and may the tempter and the
destroyer be removed far from them. May the days of thy covenant
people be lengthened out in righteousness, and sickness and disease
be rebuked from their midst. May the land they inhabit be made
fruitful by thy grace, may its waters be increased and the climate
be tempered to the comfort and need of thy people; may drought,
devastating storms, cyclones, and hurricanes be kept afar off, and
earthquakes never disturb the land which thou hast given us. May
locusts, caterpillars and other insects not destroy our gardens and
desolate our fields; but may we be a people blessed of thee in our
bodies and spirits, in our homes and habitations, in our flocks and
herds, in ourselves and our posterity, and in all that thou hast
made us stewards over.

"Now pray we for the youth of Zion--the children of thy people;
endow them richly with the spirit of faith and righteousness and
with increasing love for thee and for thy law. Prosper all the
institutions that thou hast established in our midst for their
well-being. Give to our Church Schools an ever-increasing power for
good. May thy Holy Spirit dominate the teachings given therein and
also control the hearts and illumine the minds of the students.
Bless marvelously thy servants, the General Superintendent, and
all the principals, teachers and other officers, and also those
who form the General Board of Education of thy Church. Remember
likewise in thy loving kindness the Sunday Schools, with all who,
either as teachers or scholars, belong thereto; may the influence
of the instruction given therein broaden and deepen, to thy glory
and the salvation of thy children, until the perfect day. Bless the
members of the General {168} Board of the Deseret Sunday School
Union with the wisdom necessary for the proper fulfilment of their
duties, and for the accomplishment of the purposes for which this
Board was created.

"We also uphold before thee the Young Men's and Young Ladies'
Mutual Improvement Associations, with all their officers, general
and local, and the members. May they be prospered of thee, their
membership be enlarged, and the good that they accomplish increase
with every succeeding year. For the Primaries and Religion Classes
we also seek thy constant blessing and guiding care; may the spirit
of instruction be poured out upon the presidents and associate
officers and teachers. May they keep pace with the rest of the
educational establishments in thy Church; so that from their
earliest years our children may be diligently brought up in the
ways of the Lord, and thy name be magnified in their growth in
virtue and intelligence.

"Nor would we forget, O Lord, the normal training classes among
the people, whether these classes be connected with the Church
Schools, the Improvement Associations, or the Sunday Schools. Grant
that these classes may be the means of spreading true education
throughout all the borders of the Saints by the creation of a body
of teachers who will not only be possessed of rare intelligence but
be filled also with the spirit of the Gospel, and be powerful in
the testimony of thy truth and in implanting a love for thee and
for thy works in the hearts of all whom they instruct.

"We would hold up before thee, O Lord, the Relief Societies,
with all their members; and all those who preside in their midst
according to their callings and appointments, general or local.
Bless the Teachers in their labors of mercy and charity, who, as
ministering angels, visit the homes of the sick and the needy,
bearing succor, consolation and comfort to the unfortunate and
sorrowful. And bless, we beseech thee, most merciful Father, the
poor of thy people, that the cry of want and suffering may not
ascend unto thee from the midst of thy Saints whom thou hast
blessed so abundantly with the comforts of this world. Open up
new avenues by which the needy can obtain a livelihood by honest
industry, and also incline the hearts of those blessed more
abundantly, to give generously of their substance to their, in this
respect, less favored brethren and sisters, that thou mayest not
have reason to chide us for the neglect of even the least among thy
covenant children.

"O God of Israel, turn thy face, we pray thee, in loving kindness
toward thy stricken people of the house of Judah. Oh, deliver them
from those that oppress them. Heal up their wounds, comfort their
hearts, strengthen their feet, and give them ministers after thine
own heart who shall lead them as of old, in thy way. May the days
of their tribulation soon cease, and they be planted by thee in the
valleys and plains of their {169} ancient home; and may Jerusalem
rejoice and Judea be glad for the multitude of her sons and
daughters, for the sweet voices of children in her streets, and the
rich outpouring of thy saving mercies upon them. May Israel no more
bow the head, nor bend the neck to the oppressor, but may his feet
be made strong on the everlasting hills, never more, by violence,
to be banished therefrom, and the praise and the glory shall be
thine.

"Remember in like pity the dwindling remnants of the house of
Israel, descendants of thy servant Lehi. Restore them, we pray
thee, to thine ancient favor, fulfil in their completeness the
promises given to their fathers, and make of them a white and
delightsome race, a loved and holy people as in former days. May
the time also be nigh at hand when thou wilt gather the dispersed
of Israel from the islands of the sea and from every land in which
thou hast scattered them, and the ten tribes of Jacob from their
hiding place in the north, and restore them to communion and
fellowship with their kinsmen of the seed of Abraham.

"We thank thee, O God of Israel, that thou didst raise up patriotic
men to lay the foundation of this great American government. Thou
didst inspire them to frame a good Constitution and laws which
guarantee to all of the inhabitants of the land equal rights and
privileges to worship thee according to the dictates of their own
consciences. Bless the officers, both judicial and executive.
Confer abundant favors upon the President, his Cabinet, and
Congress. Enlightened and guided by thy Spirit may they maintain
and uphold the glorious principles of human liberty. Our hearts
are filled with gratitude to thee, our Father in heaven, for thy
kindness unto us in softening the hearts of our fellow citizens,
the people of this nation, towards us. That which thou hast done
has been marvelous in our eyes. We thank thee that thou didst move
upon the heart of the President of our nation to issue a general
amnesty; that thou hast removed prejudice and misunderstanding from
the minds of many of the people concerning us and our purposes,
and they are disposed to treat us as fellow citizens, and not as
enemies. In this holy house we feel to give thee glory therefor,
and we humbly ask thee to increase this feeling in their hearts.
Enable them to see us in our true light. Show unto them that we
are their friends, that we love liberty, that we will join with
them in upholding the rights of the people, the Constitution and
laws of our country; and give unto us and our children an increased
disposition to always be loyal, and to do everything in our power
to maintain constitutional rights and the freedom of all within the
confines of this great Republic.

"Remember in mercy, O Lord, the kings, and princes, the nobles, the
rulers and governors, and the great ones of the earth, and likewise
all the poor, the afflicted and the oppressed, and indeed, all
people, that their hearts may be softened when thy {170} servants
go forth to bear testimony of thy name, that their prejudices may
give way before the truth, and thy people find favor in their eyes.
So control the affairs of the nations of the earth, that the way
may be prepared for the ushering in of a reign of righteousness
and truth. We desire to see liberty spread throughout the earth,
to see oppression cease, the yoke of the tyrant broken, and every
despotic form of government overthrown by which thy children are
degraded and crushed, and prevented from enjoying their share of
the blessings of the earth, which thou hast created for their
habitation.

"O God, the Eternal Father, thou knowest all things. Thou seest the
course thy people have been led to take in political matters. They
have, in many instances, joined the two great national parties.
Campaigns have been entered upon, elections have been held, and
much party feeling has been engendered. Many things have been said
and done which have wounded the feelings of the humble and the
meek, and which have been a cause of offense. We beseech thee, in
thine infinite mercy and goodness, to forgive thy people wherein
they have sinned in this direction. Show them, O Father, their
faults and their errors, that they may see the same in the light
of the Holy Spirit, and repent truly and sincerely, and cultivate
that spirit of affection and love which thou art desirous that all
the children of men should entertain one for another, and which
thy Saints, above all others, should cherish. Enable thy people
hereafter to avoid bitterness and strife, and to refrain from words
and acts in political discussions that shall create feeling and
grieve thy Holy Spirit.

"Heavenly Father, when thy people shall not have the opportunity of
entering this holy house to offer their supplications unto thee,
and they are oppressed and in trouble, surrounded by difficulties
or assailed by temptation, and shall turn their faces towards this
thy holy house and ask thee for deliverance, for help, for thy
power to be extended in their behalf, we beseech thee to look down
from thy holy habitation in mercy and tender compassion upon them,
and listen to their cries. Or when the children of thy people, in
years to come, shall be separated, through any cause, from this
place, and their hearts shall turn in remembrance of thy promises
to this holy Temple, and they shall cry unto thee from the depths
of their affliction and sorrow to extend relief and deliverance to
them, we humbly entreat thee to turn thine ear in mercy to them;
hearken to their cries, and grant unto them the blessings for which
they ask.

"Almighty Father, increase within us the powers of that faith
delivered to and possessed by thy Saints. Strengthen us by
the memories of the glorious deliverances of the past, by the
remembrance of the sacred covenants that thou hast made with us, so
that, when evil overshadows us, when trouble encompasses us, when
we pass through the valley of humiliation, we may not {171} falter,
may not doubt, but in the strength of thy holy name may accomplish
all thy righteous purposes with regard to us, fill the measure of
our creation, and triumph gloriously, by thy grace, over every
besetting sin, be redeemed from every evil, and be numbered in the
kingdom of heaven amongst those who shall dwell in thy presence
forever.

"And now, our Father, we bless thee, we praise thee, we glorify
thee, we worship thee, day by day we magnify thee, and give thee
thanks for thy great goodness towards us, thy children, and we
pray thee, in the name of thy Son Jesus Christ, our Savior, to
hear these our humble petitions, and answer us from heaven, thy
holy dwelling place, where thou sittest enthroned in glory, might,
majesty, and dominion, and with an infinitude of power which we,
thy mortal creatures, cannot imagine, much less comprehend. Amen
and Amen."

All who attended the dedicatory services on the morning of the 6th of April, 1893, remember the impressiveness of the day. The sky was overcast and lowering, and shortly before the hour of beginning, a strong wind set in from the north-west. This wind increased to a veritable hurricane and throughout the morning session it seemed indeed, that the prince of the air was in full control; but the peace and serenity of the assembly was rendered the more impressive by contrast with the turmoil and storm without.

A large pipe-organ had been set up in the assembly room, and served as an accompaniment to the choir of selected voices, by whom the anthems and hymns, specially composed for the occasion, were rendered. The essential and characteristic feature of the service was, of course, the offering of the dedicatory prayer; and to this were added brief addresses by officials of the Church. At the first session, each of the First Presidency delivered an address, replete with promise and prophecy. Throughout the service, ran the solemn refrain, which was voiced in anthem, sermon, and prayer:

"_The House of the Lord is completed_."

FOOTNOTES

1. See Contributor, Vol. XIV: No. 6; April, 1893; p. 248.

2. See Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, Book XV, 11:3.

3. See the author's "The Story of Mormonism," pp. 63-81.

4. For description of this feature of early enterprise, see an admirable article, "The Salt Lake Temple," by James H. Anderson, in "The Contributor," Vol. XIV, No. 6, April, 1893. The article gives much detailed information concerning the work of erecting the Great Temple.

5. See "Deseret News," Salt Lake City, August 17, 1854.

6. See "Millennial Star," Liverpool, Vol. 16, p. 753. "The Illustrated London News" of June 13, 1857, contains an article, "Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City," in which are given many specifications of construction. In connection with the text appears a large woodcut of the great building in perspective; and this picture is a true representation of the finished structure except as to details of spires and finials.

7. As an instance of these separate assignments, and as an example of direct appeal to the various organizations within the Church, see the circular letter, issued in 1876 by the authority of the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles, addressed to Elders, Seventies, and High Priests; this appears in "Contributor," Vol. XIV, pp. 267-8.

8. See Revelation 14:6, 7; also Pearl of Great Price, Writings of Joseph Smith II, 30-48.

9. See Book of Mormon, I Nephi 3:7.

10. For the epistle in full, see "Contributor," Vol. XIV, pp. 280-281.