-- Jan 1, 1877
[Apostle Brigham Young Jr. Diary] Temple dedication. People assembled in the font room and basement rooms] Bro[ther] Wilford Woodruff kneeled near the top of west steps, and read a lengthy prayer time 24 minutes. He expressed a hope that it would not weaken the faith of any to hear or see him read his prayer from manuscript. All very good, and Satisfactory. [adjourned to main upper room, Bro[ther]s Woodruff, Snow and I sat on lower Melchisideck [Melchizedek] stand in front of which B[righam] Y[oung] sat, and L. Snow read his prayer. Thereafter B[righam] Y[oung] Jr read the dedicatory prayer for B[righam] Y[oung].] Returned to main room-- Bro[ther]s W[oodruff] and S[now] spoke a few words. Pres[iden]t B[righam] Y[oung] leaning on his cane and one crutch [came into the lower Melch. stand] He said, the saints may be satisfied with this dedication & [?] it was good, But he would never be satisfied until he had whipped the devils and driven them off this earth, bringing his cane down on the Stand front making three dents which will remain as long as the board remains ... Elders Woodruff Snow and myself set Bro[ther]s. Woodbury and J. Gales Jr. apart to mission to Sandwich Island. (1)
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] Jan 1 This is a vary important day to the Church and Kingdom of God on the Earth. President Brigham Young, The Apostles Wilford Woodruff, Erastus Snow, Brigham Young jr with some two Thousand Saints assembled within the walls of the Temple of our God, built in St George, for the purpose of Dedicating Certain Portions of it unto God that we might be prepared to Commence giving Endowments and Blessings and sealings unto the Saints.
At 30 Minuts past 12 oclok Elder W. Woodruff stood on the upper step of the font and Called the attention of the people and said we are this day blessed with a privilege that but few since the days of Adam have Ever Enjoyed. But few of the sons of Adam have Ever had the privilege of Entering into a Temple built By the Commandment of God in which to administer ordinances both for the living and the dead.
We have now assembled to dedicate portions of this Temple unto God, and I have a request to make of all the saints who are present and I suppose all who are profesed [to] be saints for none others should be here. I realize that this assembly Cannot bow the knee in these Crouded Condition. But you Can bow your heads and your hearts unto God and this I want you to do this day. And those who offer up Prayers in the dedication of this Temple I want their words repeated in secret by this assembly befor the Lord that our prayers may assend into the Ears of the Lord of Sabath that they may be answerd upon our heads. The saints do not prize as they should the blessings they Enjoy.
At the Clo[ths?] of thes remarks The following Hymn was sung: The spirit of God like a fire is burning. Then Erastus Snow anounced that Elder Wilford Woodruff would Offer the dedication Prayer. The dedication Prayer by Elder Wilford Woodruff:
O God our Heavenly Father, the Father of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob Thou who hast created the Heavens the Earth the Seas and the fountains of living waters and all things that dwell therein except of the gratitude of our hearts and the Thanksgiving of thy people that Thou hast Preserved our lives to again enter into another Temple which hath been built by thy Saints in these vallies of the mountains in which to organize the Holy Priesthood and to administer the ordinances of the gospel of the Son of God both for the living and the dead.
O our God we thy sons and daughters have assembled to gether in the Name of thy Son Jesus Christ within the walls of this Temple this day for the Purpose of dedicating and Consecrating a portion of this house unto the Lord Our God that it may be Holy and acceptable in thy sight. May the prayers of thy People ascend into thine ears O Lord, and be heard and answerd upon their heads.
We now dedicate this Temple Block, the Land, the water tank, the fencing, and all appertaining thereto that it may be Holy in thy sight. We dedicate and Consecrate the foundation upon which this Temple Stands that it may be Holy unto the Lord our God. This foundation has been Created through much labor and diligence of thy servants, and we Pray O God that thy blessing may rest upon it that it may remain as firm as the foundation of the Everlasting Hills that it may not be moved to the injury of this Temple which is built upon its foundation.
We dedicate the outer walls of this Temple unto thy name O Lord that they may be Holy and all the materials of which they are Composed the rock, the mortar, the sand, the lime, the plastering inside and out and every material that is used in their Construction that it may be sanctified unto the Lord. We dedicate all the windows belonging to this Basement Story, the sills, the frames, the sash, the glass, the Putty, the weights, the Cords the fastnings the paints and all the material of which they are Composed that they may be Holy unto the Lord. We dedicate all the outer stepts or stairways leading to the Temple, with the railings the Stone wood Iron, lead and all materials of which they are Composed. We dedicate unto the Lord all the inner walls of the Temple with all the materials of which they are Composed that they may be Holy. We dedicate all the doors of the basemet unto the Lord with the frames bolts screws locks and all fastnings that they may be Holy.
We dedicate unto thy most Holy Name the font which thy people have Erected for the ordinance of Baptism for the living and the dead. We dedicate the flaging, the foundation upon which the font stands unto the Lord. We dedicate the Twelve oxen that bear up the font that they may be Holy. We dedicate the font itself with the Steps leading to it and the railing and all materials of which they are Composed the Casting, the Iron, Stone or wood and we pray that they may be acceptable unto the O Lord Our God. We dedicate the Boiler the Engine, and the pipes leading to the font, and washing baths for the washing of thy People unto thee O Lord that they may be Holy. We dedicate the railing that surrounds the font unto thee.
We dedicate unto the Lord Our God the rooms which will be used by thy people for the Creation, the Garden, the Telestial the Terrestrial and for the washing and anointing of thy people and all other rooms the water tank, and all belonging to this basement Story of this Temple of the Lord Our God. We dedicate and Consecrate all the materials of which these rooms are Composed The timbers, the Joist, the flooring, and the nails that they may be Holy unto the Lord. We dedicate all the frame petitions with the Curtains and doors thereoff that they may be Holy and acceptable unto the Lord.
We dedicate all the Carpeting which is laid upon the floors unto the Lord Our God, that the labor of the Mothers and Daughters of Zion may be acceptable in the sight of all Heaven. We dedicate all the Altars with their Covering and trimings which are used in these rooms unto the Lord our God praying that they may be acceptable unto thee.
We dedicate unto the Lord all the Chairs Benches and all materials which Shall be used in the seating of thy People in the rooms of this house. We dedicate unto the Lord all the furniture made use of in the rooms of this house the desks, stands, Stoves, pipes, wood Boxes and all materials that they may be Holy unto the Lord.
We dedicate all the pillars and beems resting upon the pillars erected in the lower rooms of this Temple for the support of the upper rooms that they may be Holy unto the Lord.
We dedicate all the Stairways leading from the basement to the upper rooms with the stairs and railing and all materials made use of in their Construction that they may be Holy and we dedicate all the white washing and painting and Plastering inside and out, and any material not heretofore named made use off in the Construction of this Temple that it may be Holy unto the Lord Our God.
And we ask thee our Father in heaven in the Name of thy Son Jesus Christ that thou wilt accept of this Temple at the Hands of thy Saints both Male and females who have built it unto thy Holy Name, and may no unclean thing be permitted to Enter therein. Wilt thou Bless all of thy servants and handmadens with the spirit and power of God who shall administer in any of the ordinances of life and Salvation within the walls of this House. And all thy People who Enter the threshhold of this Temple may they feel thy power and be constrained to acknowledge that the Power of God rests upon it.
And we ask in the name of Jesus Christ the son of the living God that the prayer offerd up in the further dedications of other parts of this house this day or at any future time in the dedication of this house by those holding the Apostleship or Holy Priesthood that there prayers may enter into the Ears of the Lord of Sabaoth and be answered upon the heads of thy people.
O Lord be not angry with thy Servants while we Continue our supplications befor thee in this the Temple of our God. Thou has said that thou would take unto thyself them whom thou woulds take and preserve in life them whom thou wouldst preserve. Thou has taken unto thyself thine aged servant Joseph Smith the Patriarch, and his Sons Joseph, Hiram, Carloss & Samuel and many others of thy Servants. But thou hast raised up unto thyself thy Servant Brigham Young as a Lawgiver unto Israel and a leader of thy People. Thou has taken unto thyself his Councellors Willard, Jedediah, Heber and George A. Yet thou hast sustained thy servant Brigham for a generation as men Count time by the right hand of thy power. He has been with thy people through all their afflictions and persecutions and led them to these mountains of Israel and guided and directed the settlements of thy saints and all the affairs of Zion as inspired by the power of God in this the last dispensation and fulness of times in the which thou hast said thou wouldst Esstablish thy kingdom to be thrown down no more forever.
Therefore O Lord our God we pray that thou wilt give thy people faith that we may Claim this blessing of thee the Lord of Hosts that thou wilt lay thy hand upon thy servant Brigham unto the renewal of his body and the healing of his infirmities and the lengthning out of his days and years. Yea O Lord may he live to behold the inhabitants of Zion united and enter into the Holy Order of God, and keep the Celestial Law that they may be justified before Thee.
May he live to behold Zion redeemed and successfully fight the devils visible or invisible that make war upon thy Saints. May he live to behold other Temple built and dedicated unto thy name and accepted of Thee O Lord our God and we pray thee our Father in heaven in the name of Jesus Christ if it Can be Consistent to thy will that thy servant Brigham may stand in the flesh to Behold the Nation who now occupies the land upon which thou O Lord hast said the Zion of God should stand in the Latter Day That Nation who hast shed the Blood of Prophets and Saints which Cry unto God day and night for vengance The Nation who are making war against God and his Christ, That Nation whose Sins wickedness and abominations are assending up before God and the heavenly Hosts which Causes all Eternity to be pained and the Heavens to weep like the falling rain yea O Lord that He may live to see that Nation (if they will not repent and serve God) broaken in peaces like a potters vessel and swept from off the face of the Earth as with the besom of destruction as were the Jaredites and Nephites that the land of Zion may scease to groan under the wickedness and abominations of those who now Cumber the ground.
And we pray thee O God that thou wilt bless all the Councillors to thy servant Brigham. Bless thy servant John W Young his first Councillor that he may be Clothed upon with the power of God that He may be a polished shaft in thy quiver in the defence of Zion and her Cause. May he Comfort the heart of his Father and have the Blessing of God and thy people upon his head.
Bless the household of thy servant Brigham his wives and Children and all appertaining unto him. May his posterity remain upon the Earth in righteousness untill the Coming of the Messiah and through the Millennium.
Bless thy servant Daniel H. Wells with the spirit and power of God and all his houshold. Bless all Councillors to thy servant Brigham with their wives and Children and all appertaining unto them.
Bless O Lord thine Apostles that the spirit and Power of the Apostleship may rest upon them. Bless their wives and Children with Salvation and Eternal life and may all the apostles of the Lamb of the last dispensation and fullness of times realize their responsibilities before God Angels & men and magnify their Calling in that way and manner that they will be satisfied at the End of their labor.
Bless O Lord thy servant George Q Cannon who is Our deligate appointed to represent us in the Capital of our Nation. Cloth him with thy power O God and Enable him to do thy will that his garments may be Clean of the Blood of this Nation that they may be left without excuse in the day of thy judgments upon them for thou knowest O Lord that their destruction is at the door.
O Lord Bless all the Patriarchs whom thou has appointed. May they have power to Bless the people by inspiration as did the Ancients that their blessings may be fulfilled upon the heads of the Saints. Bless their families and all appertaining unto them.
We pray thee O Lord to Bless the High Priest Quorum throughout the land of Zion. May the power of the Priesthood rest upon them that they may magnify their Calling and have power to build up the Zion of God on the Earth. Bless their wives and Children and all appertaining unto them.
We pray thee Our Heavenly Father to Bless the Quorums of seventies with their Presidents. They are Called to be special Messengers to the Nations of the Earth. Bless them With the Testimony of Jesus Christ. We pray thee that they may bring many souls unto Christ and be prepared to assist in binding the Law, and sealing the Testimony among the Gentiles in thine own due time. Bless their wives Children and all their households. May the Blessings of God rest upon all the Elders of Israel in all the world with their families.
O our Father in Heaven we pray thee to remember in Mercy the Aaronic Priesthood with their Bishops, Priests, Teachers, and Deacons who are appointed to be standing Ministers unto the Church. Cloth them with the Power of God Salvation and Eternal Life with their wives and Children.
Bless we pray thee thine aged Servant Edward Hunter who is Called to preside over the Bishopprick. Thou hast seen his labor and knowest the integrity of his heart. Cloth him with thy Holy Spirit. Fill him with the spirit of Council and Consolation to his brethren and preserve him in the flesh as long as he shall desire life. And when he shall sleep with his Fathers may he rest in peace and the works of righteousness follow him.
Bless all the organizations of the Church and kingdom. May thy people accomplish the work unto which they are ordained, build up the Zion of God, and prepare the Earth for the Coming of the Son of man. Bless the female relief Society throughout the land of Zion. May they fully accomplish the object of their organization by thy servant Joseph. May they influence the daughters of Zion to deeds of virtue, Holiness, Righteouness and truth. May thy Blessings of Sarah, Huldah, Hannah, Anna, & Mary the Ancient Prophetess and Holy women rest upon them.
O God of Abram Isaac, & Jacob, we ask thee in the name of Jesus Christ thy Son that thou wilt Remember thy Covenants which thou hast made with the whole house of Israel. Remember them in all their abidings in these last days. We Pray thee in this the Temple of our God that thou wilt make bare thine arm of power in the preservation and Salvation of the small remnant of the Laminites that are left in the land. Deliver them O God from the hand of the gentiles who seek to annihilate them from off the Earth. Inspire their hearts with thy spirits to receive the Gospel of the Son of God that they may be prepared to build up Zion and fulfill the Covenants and promises made unto them by their forefathers who inherited this land.
Remember O Lord thy Covenant people in the North Country. Hasten the day when they shall Come in rememberance before Thee, when their Prophets shall smite the rocks, and the mountains of Ice shall flow down before them. May the highway spedily be cast up in the midst of the great deep, that they may Come over dry shod. May the Everlasting hills tremble at their Presence and their Enemies become a prey unto them. May they Come forth unto Zion and bow the knee that they may be Crowned in Zion under the hands of Ephraim thy Servants.
We also pray thee O God that thou wilt remember in Mercy the sons of Judah upon whose heads the Blood of Jesus Christ has rested for Eighteen hundred years. They have been trampled under the feet of the gentiles and been made a hiss and A by word in fulfillment of the words of Moses their lawgiver and of Jesus of Nazareth. And we pray thee O Thou Great Eloheem that the past may suffise. Inspire their hearts to return home to Jerrusalem the land of their Fathers and rebuild their City and Temple that they may be prepared for the Coming of Shilo their king. O Hear, O Hear us O Lord in these our petitions and answer us from heaven thine Holy habitation and we will ascribe all honor glory and Thanksgiving unto God and the Lamb both now and forever Amen and Amen.
- = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
A Dedication Song was then sung Composed by Brother C L Walker. The assembly was then requested to repair to the next main room over the font. After the people got seated President Young and the Twelve occupied the East Stand. Then we Sung This house we dedicate to Thee. Then Elder Erastus Snow offered the following Prayer:
O God Our Eternal Father Creator of all things who raised up the Prophet Joseph Smith, to organize the Holy Priesthood after the order of thy Son, and lay the foundations of Zion and Esstablish thy Church and Kingdom among men upon the Earth, We thy servants and people appear before thee in this Holy house which we have built unto thy name and stretch forth our hands unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and in his name we beseech Thee to hear the Prayer of thy Servant Wilford Woodruff which has been this day offered up in the font room of this House, and answer it upon this house and people. We implore thy blessing upon thy people and upon this House which we dedicate and Consecrate unto the Most High.
This room esspecially we Hallow unto Thee and beseech thee to accept it as the Offering of thy people and sanctify it to their use for Sacred and Holy purposes and to thine own Glory it being the principle room on the first floor over the font and above the basement together with its adjoining Vestery, Halls Entry ways and outer Steps leading up into the Same also the Stair Cases Closets and Every thing appertaining to this room and its surroundings Even the foundations on which it rests the pillars and timbers laid on them with the Joists the floor the base boards the Columns Supporting the upper floor with their base and Capitols, the walls with the rock morter the inner and outer plastering and all the material of which they are Composed the platforms with their foundations on which the several Pulpits are built together with the stands or pulpits even those in the Eastern End appointed for the use of the Melchesidek Priesthood and its appendiges with their seats and doors their aisles stepts railings banisters and Newel posts together with the platforms and Seats on Either side prepared for the use of the Elders and High Priests and the visiting Apostles and seventies with the aisles and railing thereunto belonging, also the platforms with the several pulpits in the western End for the use of the Aaronic Priesthood namly the Bishoppric or presidency of the Aaronic Priesthood, the presidency of the Priest Quorum, the Presidency of the Teachers Quorum, and the presidency of the Deacons Quorum, and all seats, doors, aisles, railings, and banisters with the sides seats arranged for visiting Bishops and for the Priests Teachers and Deacons.
Also the Ceilings and Cornices the arch and its Centre peaces its Cornices above the Columns with the guilded Stars and other devices and ornamentation thereof, also the windows with the frames sash glass pully and fastnings that they may afford light in this appartment. Also the inner and outer doors with all their hangings locks and fastnings, the Seats dressing rooms partitions Curtains and Veil, the Stove, utensils and all things to be used herein with all wood Iron Brass Nails screws bolts paints and all materials made use of That all may be sanctified unto the most Holy Name and be preserved from fire and all the Elements that might injure and destroy the Same from all wicked and ungodly men, from all defilement within and without that thy Holy Spirit may dwell herein and thine Angels minister unto thy servants and thy Law with thy Judgments and Statues be made known unto thy people and be Ever reveared herein, that it may be a place of prayer, meditation and sacred instruction that all who Come herein may feel thy presens and sanctifying influence, uncover their heads and loose the shoes from off their feet and Reverence thy Holy Name.
We Beseech thee Holy Father in the Name of thy Son to look down upon thy servants and people in great Mercy and forgive their sins and follies. We thank thee for thy Care and protection over thy servants and handmadens who have labored to gather the material and to build this house. And not withstanding the difficulties and dangers the accidents and snares that beset them the Enemy has not had power to Slay them nor has limb been broaken or blood shed upon this building or these grounds Consecrated unto thee. Let thy Choice blessings Continue upon thy people who have labored upon or Contributed to build this House. Inasmuch as they have done it in faith, may they and their generations after them and through them the Fathers before them enjoy the blessings and Exaltation which flow through the ordinances of thy House and the administration of thy Holy Priesthood.
Bles esspecially thy servant Brigham Young whom thou hast given us for a leader and Presidet over all thy People by whose hand thou didst lead them unto this land and plant their feet in the Tops of the Mountains and inspired him to build this house unto thee with all the appartments and appointments thereof. Comfort him in his old age. Heal up his body, relieve him of his akes and pains, fill him with the revelations of thy spirit that he may be able to speak thy word unto the people and to order all things in this thine house and among thy people as thou wilt. Bless also his wives and Children and all thou hast given him.
Bless in like manner his Councillers John W. Young and Daniel H Wells and the assistant Councillors with all the Apostles their wives and Children Houses lands flocks & herds. Strengthen them in body and spirit to Enable them to over Come the world and magnify their Callings unto the End. Preserve their offspring from wickedness from unbelief and rebellion from pride worldly mindedness and folly from apostacy and the second death. If any have gone astray chasten them in thy Mercy and restore them into thy fold. Enable them to walk in the footsteps of their fathers and become shining lights throughout the world that in them all Nations may be blessed.
Remember thy servants laboring in thy vineyard throughout the Earth. Raise up friends to minister unto their necessities. Make their Testimony powerful unto all people gathering out the righteous and ripening the wicked for the Consumption decreed.
Hasten the redemption of the Lamanites and the gathering of Israel from England to esstablish Zion and rebuild Jerrusalem. Preserve the remnants of Joseph from destruction. Open their Ears and hearts to receive the record of their fathers and thy ministering servants sent among them. Visit them in dreams and Visions and show them the way of Life and unite them for good over all the land that they may be able to build Zion even the New Jerrusalem upon this land of their Fathers.
Confound thine Enemies and all who fight against Zion. Let those who will not repent be wasted away when their Cup of iniquity is full. Cloth thy Saints with Salvation as with a garment. Lead them in paths of rightousness and peace. Let them triumph gloriously for thine is the kingdom Power and Glory forever. Amen.
Redeemer of Israel was then sung. The Congregation was then requested to remain seated while the Presidet Member of the Twelve and a few others of the Priesthood repaired above to the sealing room. Then some Twenty went up to the Sealing room when a Hymn was sung (Come let us renew). Then Elder Brigham Young Jr offered up the following Prayer:
O Lord God of Israel Thou who showest Mercy unto those who walk uprightly before thee according to the light in them to thee we bow in humble Reverence and Call upon thy Holy Name on this occasion of Dedicating portion of this Temple Created for Holy purposes dispensing the ordinances of thy House unto this generation their progenitors and posterity. Hear and Answer the Prayers offerd by thine Apostles Wilford Woodruff and Erastus Snow that they may penetrate the Ears of the Lord Sabbaoth that the blessings of God may rest upon and in this building from the foundation to the Towers thereof.
And now our Father we have assembled in this upper room wharein we anticipate performing the ordinances of sealing women to Men Children to their Parents and man to his fellow man that the bond may reach unto heaven thy dwelling place and when we attain to that hapPY State and rise with the just in the morning of the first resurrection that we may legally claim the Relationship of Husbands and wives parents and Children and be Crowned Sons and Daughters of God and joint heirs with Jesus our Elder Brother.
We dedicate this room unto thee, the Circular stairs leading to it the board [nails?] and paint which Compose the stairs the Timbers upon which they rest the Studing, Lath, plastering and nailes with the several parts thereof. And we dedicate this room unto the O Our Father the walls and the Stones of which they are built, with the sand and lime and all timber which rest in the walls the Joist and their Bridging and the double floors which rest upon the Joist and the nails and fastnings thereof and the plaster upon the walls and the ornamental Cornice and the Centre ornament and the materials of which they are Composed and the Stove and fixtures within this room together with the windows their Casings weights and Cords sash glass and paint.
We ask thy Blessing upon the Altar which stands within this room, which we dedicate and Consecrate unto thee the Lord our God for the performance of the Cealing ordinance that the hearts of the fathers may be turned to the Children and the hearts of the Children to the fathers. Sanctify to this purpose the boards nails and fastnings and paint and the Cushions upon this Altar and the materials of which they are Composed. All these things severally and Collectively we dedicate unto the fulfilling of thy glorious purposes in the Earth.
Bless those who have labored upon this building and those who shall administer the Ordinances herein. Bless thine aged Servant Presidet Brigham Young with strength to labor in this building as seemeth good unto thee Righteous Father. And now we dedicate and Consecrate ourselves our families all we have with this Congregation unto Thee O God in the name of Jesus Our Redeemer Amen.
At the Close of the prayer we returned to the Lower Court when Elder Snow /and Woodruff/ made a few remarks pertaining to the workings in the Temple Calling upon all who desired to Come forth and attend to the ordinances for themselves and their dead After which President Brigham Young who had been so lame through the day with Rheumatism in his feet had been Carried through the house in a Chair by 3 men but upon this occasion he arose and walked into the lower Stand and made the following remarks:
I Cannot Consent in my feelings to retire from this house without exercising my strength the strength of my Lungs stomach and speaking organs in speaking to this people. I hardly dare to say what is in my heart to say to this people. Perhaps it will not be prudent but I will say a few encouraging things to the Latter Day Saints that is they ought to be incouraging.
We that are here are enjoying a privilege that we have no knowledge of any other people Enjoying since the days of Adam. Brethren and Sisters do you understand this? It seems a great many of the people know nothing about it. It is true that Solomon built a Temple for the purpose of Giving Endowments but from what we Can learn of the History of that time they gave vary few if any Endowmets and one of the High Priest was murdered by wicked and Corrupt men who had already began to apostitize because he would not reveal those things appertaining to the Priesthood that was forbidden for him to reveal untill he Came to the proper place.
I will not say but what Enoch had Temples and officiated in them but we have no account of it. We know that he raised up a people so pure and holy that they were not permitted to remain with the wicked inhabitants of the Earth but were taken to another place.
We as Latter Day Saints have been laboring for over forty years and the revelations given us in the first were to esstablish the kingdom by gathering the Saints, Building Temples, and organizing the people as the family of heaven here on the Earth. We reared up a Temple in Kirtland but we had no basement in it nor a font or preparations to give Endowments for the living or the dead. It was left by the Saints they going to Missouri.
Joseph Located the site for the Temple in Jackson Co Mo. and pointed out the South East Cornor of the Temple in the year Eighteen hundred Thirty one Also laid the Cornor Stone for a Temple in Far west Caldwell County Mo. But these temple were not built. We built one in Nauvoo. I could pick out several before me now that were there when it was built and know just how much was finished and what was done. It is true we left Brethren there with instructions to finish it and they got it nearly Completed before it was burned but the Saints did not Enjoy it.
Now we have a Temple which will all be finished in a few days and of which their is enough Completed to Commence work therein which has not been done since the days of Adam that we have any knowledge of. Now those that Can see the spiritual Atmosphere Can see that many of the Saints are Still glued to this Earth and lusting and Longing after the thing of this world in which there is no profit.
It is true we should look after the things of this world and devote all to the building up of the Kingdom of God. According to the present feeling of many of our Brethren they would arogate to themselves this world and all that pertains to it, and cease not day nor night to see that it was devoted to the building up of the kingdom of the Devil and if they had the power they would build a railroad to Carry it to hell and esstablish themselves there. Whare are the Eyes and hearts of this people? Whare is their interest for their own salvation and that of their fore fathers? We Enjoy privileges that are Enjoyed by no one Els on the face of the Earth. Supposing we were awake to this thing namly the salvation of the human family this house would be Crouded as we hope it will be from Monday morning untill Saturday night.
This House was built here in this place purposely whare it is warm and plesant in the winter time and Comfortable to work also for the Lamanites and all those Coming from the South to receive their Endowments and other Blessings.
What do you suppose the fathers would say if they Could speak from the dead? Would they not say we "have lain here thousand of years here in this prision House waiting for this dispensation to Come. Here we are bound and fettered in the association of those who are filthy." What would they whisper in our Ears? Why if they had the power the vary thunders of heaven would be in our Ears if we Could but realize the importance of the work we are ingaged in. All the Angels in heaven are looking at this little handful of people. So also are the devils in hell looking at this people too and trying to overthrow us and the people are still shaking hands with the devil instead of sanctifying themselves and Calling upon the Lord and doing his work which He has Commanded us and put into our hands to do. When I think upon this subject I want the Tongues of sev[ere?] thunders to wake up the people. Can the Fathers be saved without us? No. Can we be saved without them? No. And if we do not wake up and scease to long after the things of this Earth we will find that we as individuals will go down to Hell although the Lord will preserve a people unto himself.
Now we are ready to give Endowments. Do you have any feelings for those who have died without hearing the gospel? The spirit was awakened in the people in the North when we gave the word that we should do no more work in the Endowment House they Came to us Crying and pleading to be baptized for their dead. What Els Could they do? They Can Come here and do the work for their dead and put these poor prisioners on the ground whare they will be free. Do we realize this? As long as we tarry here we are subjet to the world, but now go to like men and women and say we will Embrace the Truth and Enter into the Covenants of God and Carry them out. Then the bonds are broaken and the Harts of the people are united in the Father.
Perhaps Brethren and Sisters you will not get my meaning but now go to work and let those infernal holes in the ground alone, and let the Gentiles alone who would destroy us if they had the power. You are running after them and /some of/ our Brethren are putting their wives and daughters into their society and will go to the devil with them to if they do not look out. I would not have a dollar on the Earth if I had to get it there. It has been the kingdom of God with me and what I have I have got in this kingdom. Well now some of the Elders are running after these holes in the ground and I see men here before me in this house that have no right to be here. They are as Corrupt in their harts as they Can be and we take them by the Hand and Call them Brother. You will go to Hell lots of you unless you repent. You may think this is plain talk. It is not as plain as you will find by and By. You will go to the gates of Heaven and Jesus will say I never knew you. While you have been saying your prayers and going to your Meeting and [are] as Corrupt in your hearts as man Can be you had better stop now and repent of your sins and sin no more while their is yet time and before the doors are Closed against you. I want to awake you up and if I had the power to lift the veil from your Eyes and let you see things as they are you would be asstonished not but what there are a great many of the people as good as they know how to be.
Now I will say Bless the people that they may do better. But show some of the Elders of Israel according to their present Conduct a dollar on one side and Eternal Life on the other and I fear they would Chuse the Dollar. We are now prepared to attend to Baptizing and giving Endowments and shall appoint Tuesdays and wednesdays for Baptisms and Thursdays and Fridays for Endowments and sealings as a standing appointment for the present. God Bless you. Amen.
I do not know whether the people are satisfied With the services of the dedication of the Temple or not. I am not half satisfied and I never Expect to be satisfied untill the devil is whiped and driven from off the face of the Earth.
In the last remark the Presidet made he struck the pulpit with a hickery Cane filled with knots With such power that he buried three of the knots into the solid wood that they may remain there for a generation if they are not filled up. His feet began to amend from the time he made his speech.
Thus I have recorded in my Journal 20 Pages of the Prayers and procedings of the dedication of this the Temple of the Lord in St George.
- = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
The Quire sang a hymn glorious things of the are spoken The Assembly passing out at the front doors The services having Continued three hours.
- = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = (2)
Footnotes:
1 - Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
2 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
LDS History Chronology: Unconventional Baptisms
Mormon History Timeline: Forms of Rebaptism in LDS History
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
