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Home , Salt Lake Temple, The House of the Lord

Salt Lake Temple , , of America

The is located on a 10-acre plot in that has become known as . It is the first that the Saints began constructing after arriving in the . On July 28, 1847, pushed his cane into the ground and said, “Here we will build the Temple of our God.”1 Having been forced to abandon two other due to persecution, it was not long before the Saints fo- cused their attention on building another House of the Lord. The construction of the temple took a to- tal of forty years to complete, in which time three other temples were constructed in Utah. Work on The Salt Lake Temple the temple began with the dedication and ground- Photo courtesy of Derek J. Tangren breaking on February 14, 1853 presided over by President Young. Two months later, the corner- Woodruff and afterwards work began on complet- stones were laid. Workers hauled large blocks of ing the interior. The work was miraculously fin- granite from the quarry at Little Cottonwood can- ished in exactly one-year’s time. On April 6, 1893, yon and across the valley to the temple site. There, forty-years to the day since the placement of the the stones would be hewn, shaped and put into cornerstones, the Salt Lake Temple was dedicated place. It would sometimes take eight days to haul by President , the fourth Presi- 2 one stone from the canyon to the Temple Block. dent of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day The process of transporting the stone was labori- Saints. It is estimated that at least 75,000 people ous until the railroad came to Utah and a line was attended the dedication services which included built to the quarry in 1869. daily sessions between April 6-23.4 Work on the temple moved steadily ahead The Salt Lake Temple stands today a sym- until the approach of Johnston’s Army in 1857 bol of the faith and determination of the pioneer when the Saints buried the foundation of the tem- saints who worked to bring to pass Isaiah’s proph- ple to make the look like a plowed field. After esy “in the last days, that the mountain of the the army moved out of Salt Lake and established LORD’s house shall be established in the top of Camp Floyd near present-day Fairfield, work on the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; the temple resumed. However, upon uncovering and all nations shall flow unto it.”5 of the foundation, defects were discovered and the completed portions were removed and re- SOURCES done to ensure the highest quality and stability of 1 the temple. Brigham Young determined that this Susa Young Gates, The Life Story of Brigham Young (New York: temple would “stand through the millennium.”3 Macmillan, 1930), 104 - 105. 2 However, President Young did not live to see the Levi Edgar Young, “History—the Founding of Utah,” Improve- temple completed. ment Era, (November 1924). The capstone to the Salt Lake Temple 3 was placed on April 6, 1892 by President Wilford Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. (London: Latter-day Saints’ Book 2 Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America

Depot, 1854-1886), 11: 372. by the Hosannah Shout led by President Lorenzo 4 Snow. These services were repeated almost daily B. H. Roberts, A Comprehensive History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6 vols. (Salt Lake City: Press, until April 24. Thirty-one meetings were held, and 1930), 6: 236. a total of seventy-five thousand people had the privilege of attending. As a young man holding the 5 Isaiah 2:2. Aaronic Priesthood, it was my privilege to be pres- ent at the opening session. With others holding the Aaronic Priesthood I had a place in the gallery on Accounts of the the north side of the assembly room. I was greatly Temple Dedication impressed with the wonderful spirit of these exer- cises and have looked back to that day many times with deep feelings of satisfaction.” 1 Alice Minerva Richards Account SOURCES “I witnessed a ‘Heavenly Manifestation’ 1 at the time of the dedication of the Temple and Quoted in Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, Every Stone a Sermon (Salt heard beautiful music, beyond anything I have Lake City: Bookcraft, 1992), 75. heard elsewhere. I was only eight years old and saw 2 Quoted in Preston Nibley, The Presidents of the Church, 13th ed., angels on the ceiling. I have always been grateful rev. and enl. (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974), 131. for the privilege of attending on that sacred occa- 3 sion...I still thrill when I think of what I saw and Holzapfel, 80. 4 heard.” , “The Salt Lake Temple,” Improvement Era, Vol. 56, No. 4, (April 1953). Wilford Woodruff’s Account2 “I attended the dedication of the temple. The spirit and power of God rested upon us. The spirit of prophecy and revelation was upon us and Dedicatory Prayer1 the hearts of the people were melted and many things were unfolded to our understanding.” “Our Father in heaven, thou who hast cre- 3 Hans Jensen Hals’ Account ated the heavens and the earth, and all things that “I and [my] family and two hundred mem- are therein; thou most glorious One, perfect in bers of the Ward had the privilege to be at the mercy, love, and truth, we, thy children, come this dedication services and had a splendid time.… day before thee, and in this house which we have Rich instructions [came] from the authorities [of built to thy most holy name, humbly plead the the Church]. Angels of God were seen coming in atoning blood of thine Only Begotten Son, that the south-east window and sitting on the corners. our sins may be remembered no more against us Two of them moved across the large hall over the forever, but that our prayers may ascend unto thee people and went out the north window.” and have free access to thy throne, that we may be heard in thy holy habitation. And may it graciously Joseph Fielding Smith’s Account4 please thee to hearken unto our petitions, answer “On April 6, 1893 the temple was ready them according to thine infinite wisdom and love, for dedication. President Wilford Woodruff of- and grant that the blessings which we seek may be fered the dedicatory prayer which was followed bestowed upon us, even a hundred fold, inasmuch Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America 3 as we seek with purity of heart and fulness of pur- Thou hast called thy servants Wilford Wood- pose to do thy will and glorify thy name. ruff, George Q. Cannon, and Joseph F. Smith, to We thank thee, O thou Great Elohim, that hold the keys of the Presidency and Priesthood thou didst raise up thy servant, Joseph Smith, this day, and for these shepherds of thy flock we through the loins of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, feel to give thee thanksgiving and praise. Thy ser- and made him a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, vant Wilford is bound to acknowledge thy hand, and through the assistance and administrations O Father, in the preservation of his life from the of angels from heaven, thou didst enable him to hour of his birth to the present day. Nothing but bring forth the Book of Mormon,—the stick of thy power could have preserved him through that Joseph, in the hand of Ephraim,—in fulfilment which he has passed during the eighty-six years of the prophecies of Isaiah and other prophets, that thou hast granted him life on the earth. which record has been translated and published in For the raising up of the Twelve Apostles, many languages. We also thank thee, our Father in we also thank thee, our God, and for the perfect heaven, that thou didst inspire thy servant and give union which exists among us. him power on the earth to organize thy Church in We thank thee, O Lord, for the perfect or- this goodly land, in all its fulness, power and glory, ganizations of thy Church as they exist at the pres- with Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, and Teachers, ent time. with all the gifts and graces belonging thereto, and O Lord, we regard with intense and inde- all this by the power of the Aaronic and Melchi- scribable feelings the completion of this sacred sedek Priesthood, which thou didst bestow upon house. Deign to accept this the fourth temple him by the administration of holy angels, who held which thy covenant children have been assisted by that Priesthood in the days of the Savior. We thank thee in erecting in these mountains. In past ages thee, our God, that thou didst enable thy servant thou didst inspire with thy Holy Spirit thy servants, Joseph to build two temples, in which ordinances the prophets, to speak of a time in the latter days were administered for the living and the dead; that when the mountain of the Lord’s house should be he also lived to send the Gospel to the nations of established in the top of the mountains, and should the earth and to the islands of the sea, and labored be exalted above the hills. We thank thee that we exceedingly until he was martyred for the word of have had the glorious opportunity of contributing God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. to the fulfilment of these visions of thine ancient We also thank thee, O our Father in heav- seers, and that thou hast condescended to permit en, that thou didst raise up thy servant Brigham us to take part in the great work. And as this por- Young, who held the keys of thy Priesthood on tion of thy servants’ words has thus so marvelously the earth for many years, and who led thy people been brought to pass, we pray thee, with increased to these valleys of the mountains, and laid the cor- faith and renewed hope, that all their words with ner-stone of this great Temple and dedicated it regard to thy great work in gathering thine Israel unto thee, and who did direct the building of three and building up thy kingdom on earth in the last other temples in these Rocky Mountains which days may be as amply fulfilled, and that, O Lord, have been dedicated unto thy holy name, in which speedily. temples many thousands of the living have been We come before thee with joy and thanks- blessed and the dead redeemed. giving, with spirits jubilant and hearts filled with Our Father in heaven, we are also thankful praise, that thou hast permitted us to see this day to thee for thy servant John Taylor, who followed for which, during these forty years, we have hoped, in the footsteps of thy servant Brigham, until he and toiled, and prayed, when we can dedicate unto laid down his life in exile. thee this house which we have built to thy most 4 Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America glorious name. One year ago we set the capstone hangings, locks and fastenings, and multitudinous with shouts of Hosanna to God and the Lamb. other appliances and appurtenances found in and And today we dedicate the whole unto thee, with belonging to this Temple and its annexes, with all all that pertains unto it, that it may be holy in thy the work of ornamentation thereon, the painting sight; that it may be a house of prayer, a house and plastering, the gilding and bronzing, the fine of praise and of worship; that thy glory may rest work in wood and metal of every kind, the em- upon it; that thy holy presence may be continually broidery and needlework, the pictures and statuary, in it; that it may be the abode of thy Well-Beloved the carved work and canopies. Also the materials Son, our Savior; that the angels who stand before of which the buildings and their contents are made thy face may be the hallowed messengers who shall or composed—the rock, lime, mortar and plaster, visit it, bearing to us thy wishes and thy will, that the timbers and lath, the wood of various trees, the it may be sanctified and consecrated in all its parts gold and silver, the brass and iron, and all other holy unto thee, the God of Israel, the Almighty metals, the silk, wool, and cotton, the skins and Ruler of mankind. And we pray thee that all people furs, the glass, china, and precious stones, all these who may enter upon the threshold of this, thine and all else herein we humbly present for thine ac- house, may feel thy power and be constrained to ceptance and sanctifying blessing. acknowledge that thou hast sanctified it, that it is Our Father in heaven, we present before thy house, a place of thy holiness. thee the altars which we have prepared for thy We pray thee, Heavenly Father, to accept servants and handmaidens to receive their this building in all its parts from foundation to cap- blessings. We dedicate them in the name of the stone, with the statue that is on the latter placed, Lord Jesus Christ, unto thy most holy name, and and all the finials and other ornaments that adorn we ask thee to sanctify these altars, that those who its exterior. We pray thee to bless, that they decay come unto them may feel the power of the Holy not, all the walls, partitions, floors, ceilings, roofs, Ghost resting upon them, and realize the sacred- and bridging, the elevators, stairways, railings and ness of the covenants they enter into. And we pray steps, the frames, doors, windows, and other open- that our covenants and contracts which we make ings, all things connected with the lighting, heat- with thee and with each other may be directed by ing, and sanitary apparatus, the boilers, engines, thy Holy Spirit, be sacredly kept by us, and accept- and dynamos, the connecting pipes and wires, the ed by thee, and that all the blessings pronounced lamps and burners, and all utensils, furniture and may be realized by all thy Saints who come to these articles used in or connected with the holy ordi- altars, in the morning of the resurrection of the nances administered in this house, the veils and the just. altars, the and the oxen on which it rests, and all that pertains thereto, the baths, O Lord, we pray thee to bless and sanctify the washstands and basins. Also the safes and vaults in whole of this block or piece of ground on which which the records are preserved, with the records these buildings stand, with the surrounding walls themselves, and all books, documents, and papers and fences, the walks, paths, and ornamental beds, appertaining to the office of the recorder, likewise also the trees, plants, flowers and shrubbery that the library with all the books, maps, instruments, grow in its soil; may they bloom and blossom and etc., that may belong thereto. We also present be- become exceedingly beautiful and fragrant; and fore thee, for thine acceptance, all the additions and may thy Spirit dwell in the midst thereof, that this buildings not forming a part of the main edifice plot of ground may be a place of rest and peace, but being appendages thereto; and we pray thee for holy meditation and inspired thought. to bless all the furniture, seats, cushions, curtains, Preserve these buildings, we beseech thee, Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America 5 from injury or destruction by flood or fire; from the first resurrection, that we who dwell on earth the rage of the elements, the shafts of the vivid may be bound to those who dwell in heaven. We lightning, the overwhelming blasts of the hurri- thank thee for their sake who have finished their cane, the flames of consuming fire, and the up- work in mortality, as well as for our own, that the heavals of the earthquake, O Lord, protect them. prison doors have been opened that deliverance Bless, we pray thee, heavenly Father, all who has been proclaimed to the captive, and the bonds may be workers in this house. Remember continu- have been loosened from those who were bound. ally thy servant who shall be appointed to preside We praise thee that our fathers, from last to first, within its walls; endow him richly with the wisdom from now, back to the beginning, can be united of the Holy One, with the spirit of his calling, with with us in indissoluble links, welded by the holy the power of his Priesthood, and with the gift of Priesthood, and that as one great family united in discernment. Bless, according to their calling, his thee and cemented by thy power we shall together assistants and all who are associated with him in stand before thee, and by the power of the aton- the performance of the ordinances,—baptisms, ing blood of thy Son be delivered from all evil, confirmations, washings, anointings, sealings, en- be saved and sanctified, exalted and glorified. Wilt dowments, and ordinations which are performed thou also permit holy messengers to visit us within herein, that all that is done may be holy and ac- these sacred walls and make known unto us with ceptable unto thee, thou God of our salvation. regard to the work we should perform in behalf of Bless the recorders and copyists, that the records our dead. And, as thou hast inclined the hearts of of the Temple may be kept perfect, and without many who have not yet entered into covenant with omissions and errors, and that they may also be thee to search out their progenitors, and in so do- accepted of thee. Bless, in their several positions, ing they have traced the ancestry of many of thy the engineers, watchmen, guards, and all others Saints, we pray thee that thou wilt increase this de- who have duties to perform in connection with the sire in their bosoms, that they may in this way aid house, that they may perform them unto thee with in the accomplishment of their work. Bless them, an eye single to thy glory. we pray thee, in their labors that they may not fall Remember also in thy mercy all those who into errors in preparing their genealogies; and fur- have labored in the erection of this house, or who thermore, we ask thee to open before them new have, in any way, by their means or influence aided avenues of information, and place in their hands in its completion; may they in no wise lose their the records of the past that their work may not reward. only be correct but complete also. O thou God of our fathers, Abraham, O thou Great Father of the spirits of all Isaac, and Jacob, whose God thou delightest to be flesh, graciously bless and fully qualify those upon called, we thank thee with all the fervor of over- whom thou hast placed a portion of thine author- flowing gratitude that thou hast revealed the pow- ity, and who bear the responsibilities and powers ers by which the hearts of the children are being of the Priesthood which is after the order of thy turned to their fathers and the hearts of the fathers Son. Bless them all from first to last, from thy ser- to the children, that the sons of men, in all their vant who represents thee in all the world to the generations can be made partakers of the glories latest who has been ordained to the Deacon’s of- and joys of the kingdom of heaven. Confirm upon fice. Upon each and all confer the spirit of their us the spirit of Elijah, we pray thee, that we may calling, with a comprehension of its duties and a thus redeem our dead and also connect ourselves loving zeal to fulfil them. Endow them with faith, with our fathers who have passed behind the veil, patience and understanding. May their lives be and furthermore seal up our dead to come forth in strong in virtue and adorned with humility; may 6 Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America their ministrations be effectual, their prayers be With thy servants of the Twelve bless their availing, and their teachings the path of salvation. associates, the Seventies; may they be powerful in May they be united by the Spirit and power of God the preaching of thy word and in bearing it to the in all their labors, and in every thought, word and four quarters of the earth. May an ever-widening act may they glorify thy name and vindicate the way be opened before them until they shall have wisdom that has made them kings and priests unto raised the Gospel standard in every land and pro- thee. claimed its saving truths in every tongue, that all For thy servants of the First Presidency the islands and the continents may rejoice in the of the Church we first of all pray. Reveal, in great testimony of the great work thou art in these latter clearness, thy mind and will unto them in all things days performing on the earth. essential for the welfare of thy people; give them Bless abundantly, O Lord, the High Priests heavenly wisdom, abounding faith, and the pow- in all the varied duties and positions to which thou er and gifts necessary to enable them to preside hast called them. As standing ministers of thy word acceptably unto thee over the officers and mem- in the multiplying Stakes of Zion wilt thou endow bers of thy Church. Remember in love thy servant them richly with the spirit of their exalted callings. whom thou hast called to be a Prophet, Seer, and As Presidents, Counselors, Bishops, members of Revelator to all mankind, whose days have been High Councils, and in every other office which many upon the earth; yet lengthen out his span of their Priesthood gives them the right to fill, may mortal life, we pray thee, and grant unto him all they be righteous ministers of thy holy law, loving the powers and gifts, in their completeness, of the fathers of the people, and as judges in the midst office thou hast conferred upon him; and in like of the Saints may they deal out just and impartial manner bless his associates in the Presidency of judgment tempered with mercy and love. thy Church. So also, in their various callings, confer pre- Confer upon thy servants, the Twelve cious gifts of wisdom, faith and knowledge upon Apostles, a rich of thy Spirit. Under thy servants, the Elders, Priests, Teachers, and their guidance may the Gospel of the kingdom go Deacons, that all may diligently perform their part forth into all the world, to be preached to all na- in the glorious labors thou hast called thy Priest- tions, kindreds, tongues, and people, that the hon- hood to bear. est in heart in every land may hear the glad tidings Forget not, we beseech thee, thy servants of joy and salvation. Overrule, we pray thee, in the the missionaries, who are proclaiming the saving midst of the governments of the earth, that the truths that thou hast revealed for man’s redemp- barriers that now stand in the way of the spread tion to the millions who are now overshadowed of thy truths may be removed, and liberty of con- by deep spiritual darkness. Preserve them from all science be accorded to all peoples. evil, deliver them from mob violence, may they Remember in loving kindness thy servants, want no good thing, but be greatly blessed with the Patriarchs. May they be full of blessings for the gifts and powers of their ministry. Remember thy people Israel. May they bear with them the also their families, that they may be sustained and seeds of comfort and consolation, of encourage- comforted by thee and be cherished and cared for ment and blessing. Fill them with the Holy Spirit by thy Saints. of promise, and be graciously pleased to fulfil their We pray thee for the members of thy Holy words of prophecy, that thy name may be extolled Church throughout all the world, that thy people in the people of thy Church and their faith in thee may be so guided and governed of thee, that all and in the promises of thy ministering servants be who profess to be and call themselves Saints may increasingly strengthened. be preserved in the unity of the faith, in the way Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America 7 of truth, in the bonds of peace, and in holiness of their duties, and for the accomplishment of the life. Strengthen the weak, we pray thee, and impart purposes for which this Board was created. thy Spirit unto all. We also uphold before thee the Young Our Father, may peace abide in all the Men’s and Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement homes of thy Saints; may holy angels guard them; Associations, with all their officers, general and lo- may they be encompassed by thine arms of love; cal, and the members. May they be prospered of may prosperity shine upon them, and may the thee, their membership be enlarged, and the good tempter and the destroyer be removed far from that they accomplish increase with every succeed- them. May the days of thy covenant people be ing year. For the Primaries and Religion Classes we lengthened out in righteousness, and sickness and also seek thy constant blessing and guiding care; disease be rebuked from their midst. May the land may the spirit of instruction be poured out upon they inhabit be made fruitful by thy grace, may its the presidents and associate officers and teachers. waters be increased and the climate be tempered to May they keep pace with the rest of the educa- the comfort and need of thy people; may drought, tional establishments in thy Church; so that from devastating storms, cyclones, and hurricanes be their earliest years our children may be diligently kept afar off, and earthquakes never disturb the brought up in the ways of the Lord, and thy name land which thou hast given us. May locusts, cater- be magnified in their growth in virtue and intel- pillars and other insects not destroy our gardens ligence. and desolate our fields; but may we be a people Nor would we forget, O Lord, the normal blessed of thee in our bodies and spirits, in our training classes among the people, whether these homes and habitations, in our flocks and herds, classes be connected with the Church Schools, the in ourselves and our posterity, and in all that thou Improvement Associations, or the Sunday Schools. hast made us stewards over. Grant that these classes may be the means of Now pray we for the youth of Zion—the spreading true education throughout all the bor- children of thy people; endow them richly with the ders of the Saints by the creation of a body of spirit of faith and righteousness and with increas- teachers who will not only be possessed of rare ing love for thee and for thy law. Prosper all the intelligence but be filled also with the spirit of the institutions that thou hast established in our midst Gospel, and be powerful in the testimony of thy for their well-being. Give to our Church Schools truth and in implanting a love for thee and for thy an ever-increasing power for good. May thy Holy works in the hearts of all whom they instruct. Spirit dominate the teachings given therein and We would hold up before thee, O Lord, also control the hearts and illumine the minds of the Relief Societies, with all their members; and all the students. Bless marvelously thy servants, the those who preside in their midst according to their General Superintendent, and all the principals, callings and appointments, general or local. Bless teachers and other officers, and also those who the Teachers in their labors of mercy and charity, form the General Board of Education of thy who, as ministering angels, visit the homes of the Church. Remember likewise in thy loving kindness sick and the needy, bearing succor, consolation and the Sunday Schools, with all who, either as teachers comfort to the unfortunate and sorrowful. And or scholars, belong thereto; may the influence of bless, we beseech thee, most merciful Father, the the instruction given therein broaden and deepen, poor of thy people, that the cry of want and suf- to thy glory and the salvation of thy children, until fering may not ascend unto thee from the midst of the perfect day. Bless the members of the General thy Saints whom thou hast blessed so abundantly Board of the Deseret Sunday School Union with with the comforts of this world. Open up new av- the wisdom necessary for the proper fulfilment of enues by which the needy can obtain a livelihood 8 Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America by honest industry, and also incline the hearts of Bless the officers, both judicial and executive. Con- those blessed more abundantly, to give generously fer abundant favors upon the President, his Cabi- of their substance to their, in this respect, less fa- net, and Congress. Enlightened and guided by thy vored brethren and sisters, that thou mayest not Spirit may they maintain and uphold the glorious have reason to chide us for the neglect of even the principles of human liberty. Our hearts are filled least among thy covenant children. with gratitude to thee, our Father in heaven, for O God of Israel, turn thy face, we pray thy kindness unto us in softening the hearts of our thee, in loving kindness toward thy stricken peo- fellow citizens, the people of this nation, towards ple of the house of Judah. Oh, deliver them from us. That which thou hast done has been marvelous those that oppress them. Heal up their wounds, in our eyes. We thank thee that thou didst move comfort their hearts, strengthen their feet, and give upon the heart of the President of our nation to them ministers after thine own heart who shall lead issue a general amnesty; that thou hast removed them as of old, in thy way. May the days of their prejudice and misunderstanding from the minds tribulation soon cease, and they be planted by thee of many of the people concerning us and our pur- in the valleys and plains of their ancient home; poses, and they are disposed to treat us as fellow and may rejoice and Judea be glad for citizens, and not as enemies. In this holy house we the multitude of her sons and daughters, for the feel to give thee glory therefor, and we humbly ask sweet voices of children in her streets, and the rich thee to increase this feeling in their hearts. Enable outpouring of thy saving mercies upon them. May them to see us in our true light. Show unto them Israel no more bow the head, nor bend the neck to that we are their friends, that we love liberty, that the oppressor, but may his feet be made strong on we will join with them in upholding the rights of the everlasting hills, never more, by violence, to be the people, the Constitution and laws of our coun- banished therefrom, and the praise and the glory try; and give unto us and our children an increased shall be thine. disposition to always be loyal, and to do everything Remember in like pity the dwindling rem- in our power to maintain constitutional rights and nants of the house of Israel, descendants of thy the freedom of all within the confines of this great servant Lehi. Restore them, we pray thee, to thine Republic. ancient favor, fulfil in their completeness the Remember in mercy, O Lord, the kings, promises given to their fathers, and make of them and princes, the nobles, the rulers and governors, a white and delightsome race, a loved and holy peo- and the great ones of the earth, and likewise all ple as in former days. May the time also be nigh at the poor, the afflicted and the oppressed, and in- hand when thou wilt gather the dispersed of Israel deed, all people, that their hearts may be softened from the islands of the sea and from every land in when thy servants go forth to bear testimony of which thou hast scattered them, and the ten tribes thy name, that their prejudices may give way before of Jacob from their hiding place in the north, and the truth, and thy people find favor in their eyes. restore them to communion and fellowship with So control the affairs of the nations of the earth, their kinsmen of the seed of Abraham. that the way may be prepared for the ushering in We thank thee, O God of Israel, that thou of a reign of righteousness and truth. We desire to didst raise up patriotic men to lay the foundation see liberty spread throughout the earth, to see op- of this great American government. Thou didst pression cease, the yoke of the tyrant broken, and inspire them to frame a good Constitution and every despotic form of government overthrown laws which guarantee to all of the inhabitants of by which thy children are degraded and crushed, the land equal rights and privileges to worship thee and prevented from enjoying their share of the according to the dictates of their own consciences. blessings of the earth, which thou hast created for Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America 9 their habitation. thy Saints. Strengthen us by the memories of the O God, the Eternal Father, thou knowest glorious deliverances of the past, by the remem- all things. Thou seest the course thy people have brance of the sacred covenants that thou hast made been led to take in political matters. They have, in with us, so that, when evil overshadows us, when many instances, joined the two great national par- trouble encompasses us, when we pass through the ties. Campaigns have been entered upon, elections valley of humiliation, we may not falter, may not have been held, and much party feeling has been doubt, but in the strength of thy holy name may engendered. Many things have been said and done accomplish all thy righteous purposes with regard which have wounded the feelings of the humble to us, fill the measure of our creation, and triumph and the meek, and which have been a cause of of- gloriously, by thy grace, over every besetting sin, be fense. We beseech thee, in thine infinite mercy and redeemed from every evil, and be numbered in the goodness, to forgive thy people wherein they have kingdom of heaven amongst those who shall dwell sinned in this direction. Show them, O Father, in thy presence forever. their faults and their errors, that they may see the And now, our Father, we bless thee, we same in the light of the Holy Spirit, and repent tru- praise thee, we glorify thee, we worship thee, day ly and sincerely, and cultivate that spirit of affec- by day we magnify thee, and give thee thanks for tion and love which thou art desirous that all the thy great goodness towards us, thy children, and children of men should entertain one for another, we pray thee, in the name of thy Son Jesus Christ, and which thy Saints, above all others, should cher- our Savior, to hear these our humble petitions, and ish. Enable thy people hereafter to avoid bitterness answer us from heaven, thy holy dwelling place, and strife, and to refrain from words and acts in where thou sittest enthroned in glory, might, maj- political discussions that shall create feeling and esty, and dominion, and with an infinitude of pow- grieve thy Holy Spirit. er which we, thy mortal creatures, cannot imagine, Heavenly Father, when thy people shall not much less comprehend. Amen and Amen. have the opportunity of entering this holy house to offer their supplications unto thee, and they are SOURCES oppressed and in trouble, surrounded by difficul- 1 ties or assailed by temptation, and shall turn their James E. Talmage, [Salt Lake City: faces towards this thy holy house and ask thee for Deseret Book Co., 1968], 134-143. 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 compas- sion upon them, and listen to their cries. Or when Visitor Information 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 Address: promises to this holy Temple, and they shall cry 50 W North Temple unto thee from the depths of their affliction and Salt Lake City, Utah 84150 sorrow to extend relief and deliverance to them, we humbly entreat thee to turn thine ear in mer- Phone Number: cy to them; hearken to their cries, and grant unto • (801) 240-4872 them the blessings for which they ask. Almighty Father, increase within us the Hours of Operation : powers of that faith delivered to and possessed by 10 Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America

• Monday through Saturday Monument,’” Ensign, (Mar. 1993), 22. • 9 AM to 9 PM Joseph Fielding Smith, “The Salt Lake Temple,” Improvement Era, Vol. 56, (April 1953). Marvin E. Smith, “The Builder: Concerning Tru- Further Reading Resources man O. Angell, Salt Lake Temple Architect,” Im- provement Era, Vol. 14, No. 10, (October 1942). James E. Talmage, The House of the Lord: A Study of Holy Sanctuaries Ancient and Modern, 1912 “Temple Stones,” Contributor, 1885. Nelson B. Wadsworth, Set in Stone, Fixed in Glass: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The Great Mormon Temple and its Photographers, House of the Lord, 1893. 1992. C. Mark Hamilton, The Salt Lake Temple: A Monu- Albert L. Zobell, Jr. and E. O. Anderson, “The ment to a People, 1983. Salt Lake Temple Story,” Improvement Era, 1965. Marion D. Hanks, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 1-4 Albert L. Zobell, Jr., “Here and There In Salt vols., edited by Daniel H. Ludlow (New York: Lake Temple History,” Improvement Era, Vol. 16, Macmillan, 1992), 1253. No. 4, (April 1943). Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Salt Lake Temple,” En- Albert L. Zobell, Jr., “Building Stones for the sign, (March 1993), 2. Temple,” Improvement Era, 1968. Gordon B. Hinckley, “This Peaceful House of Dean R. Zimmerman, “The Salt Lake Temple,” God,” Ensign, (May 1993), 72. New Era, (June 1978), 33. Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, Every Stone a Sermon: The Magnificent Story of the Construction and Dedi- cation of the Salt Lake Temple (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1992). Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, “Every Window, Every Spire ‘Speaks of the Things of God,’” Ensign, (March 1993), 7. Duncan McNeil McAllister, A Description of the Great Temple, Salt Lake City, and A Statement Concerning the Purposes for Which it Has Been Built, 1904. William Mulder, “The Salt Lake Temple Jubilee,” Improvement Era, Vol. 16, No. 4, (April 1943). Henry W. Naisbitt, “Temple Building,” Contributor, 1892. Richard G. Oman, “Exterior Symbolism of the Salt Lake Temple: Reflecting the Faith that Called the Place into Being,” BYU Studies, 1996. Wallace Alan Raynor, The Everlasting Spires: A Story of the Salt Lake Temple, 1965. Paul C. Richards, “The Salt Lake Temple Infra- structure: Studying it out in Their Minds,” BYU Studies, 1996. Don L. Searle, “A ‘Magnificent and Enduring