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TEMPLES, 1849.
1849: 4 Jan.: Reward offered for arrest of arsonist of Temple.
“The citizens of Nauvoo have offered a reward of $641 for the apprehension and conviction of the villain who fired the Mormon Temple.” (The Davenport [Iowa] Gazette 8(17):2, 4 Jan., 1849; Snider Collection)
27 Jan.: White stones and new names.
“Having asked counsel from the council of the branch, I was permitted to form a Child’s Ladder, whereby theyi may ascend to a greater height than their progenitors, in the scale of intelligence and truth. . . .
Q.–What is your name? A.–A. B.
Who gave you that name? My father.
When did he give you that name? When he gave me up to be blessed by the elders of the church.
How long will you retain the name you now have? Until I receive a new one.
When will you receive a new name? When once I have proved myself a child of God.
Can you prove it? Yes. Rev. ii., 17. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name.
Hath God given to any man a new name on earth? Yes.
To whom did he give a new name? To Jacob.
Can you prove it? Yes. Gen. xxxv., 10. And God said unto him, thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name.”
(David Moffatt, Huddersfield Branch [England], to Orson Pratt, editor; MS 11(5):74, 1 Mar., 1849)
3 Feb.: Temple to be built at Great Salt Lake.
“We predict that future historians will jot down the year 1850 as pre-eminently remarkable for the great variety of momentous events which are clustering about it. The downfall of monarchy in most, if not all of, the principle nations of the earth–the complete annihilation of the tactics, organization and power of the Roman Catholic church–the complete triumph of human philosophy, not only over time and space, but most of the great impossibilities of all former times–the total destruction of the French national independence,–the building of the most magnificent edifice that ever graced the earth–the return of the Jews to the Holy Land–rebuilding of the temple, etc.
Connected with the last three items, is a somewhat novel consideration. The Jews, it is known, have received permission to rebuild their temple, at Jerusalem, and are now soliciting assistance throughout the world to enable them to get it up in something like its ancient grandeur.–Ladened with rich donations, they are hurrying home from all quarters of the earth, and will commence their mark during the present year. Simultaneously with the rebuilding of the temple at Jerusalem, another, of equal grandeur and magnificence, almost directly opposite on the globe, will be erected. We refer to the Mormons, at the Great Salt Lake–their present location being within eight degrees of latitude and five of longitude of being precisely antipodal to that of Jerusalem, measuring, not through the earth’s centre, but following a latitudinal range. The facilities they there possess–the abundance of every variety of building materials, the precious metals, &c.–subjected to their indominable perseverance and object devotion, will certainly produce something superb, grand and imposing.
In default of news, we like to amuse our readers with odd ideas, of which the foregoing may be taken as a sample.” (The Bloomington [Iowa] Herald 4(14):2, 3 Feb., 1849; Snider collection)
28 Apr.: Description of future Salt Lake Temple.
“The Bunswicker gives it as a story that a Mormon Temple is about to be erected at Salt Lake of a stone resembling the Cornelian.–The Ground, seventeen miles long, by twelve miles wide, to be enclosed by a mud wall eight feet high, and to contain four cities, has been laid out.” (Iowa Democratic Enquirer 1(42):1, 28 Apr., 1849; Snider Collection)
29 Apr.: Brigham’s cosmology/views on female sexuality.
“Pres. Young in conversation with his counsellors and the Twelve, gave it as his opinion that the earth did not now dwell in the sphere in which it did when it was created, but that it was banished from its more glorious state or orbit of revolution for man’s sake. Also that he did not think the tides were by the influence of the moon, but as the beating of a man’s heart, the earth being a living body.
Elder Parley P. Pratt inquired what was strictly right as to the association and connection of a man with his wife. Pres. Young replied that if we had not been brough up in Gentile superstition, it would have been right for us to associate equally with all our wives, or as we chose about it. But now it was wisdom to not forsake the wives of our youth, who dwelt in our bosoms while we and they knew not the things of God’s more perfect law; for the others, who never enjoyed that constant society, could better endure the distant association than if they had enjoyed the greater familiarities, and better than the first wives could, to many of whom it would be worse than death for their husbands to withdraw from them. As to connection with them, I thought to be strictly right would be to not unite with a woman, in view of impregnation till seven days after the cessation of the menstrual discharge, in order for the most healthy procreation of our species. Also, that after childbirth, if delivered of a son, the woman should continue forty days in her purification, and if of a daughter she should be seventy days separated as unclean for a man. As to sexual connection during pregnancy, just as they please about that, they could suit themselves. I also said there were things which I must teach the females, to prepare them for the presence of God, when I could get a place to do it in.” (JH 29 Apr., 1849)
2 May: Sale of Temple to Mr. Cabet.
“NAUVOO TEMPLE. We stated in our last that the walls of this edifice had been purchased by Mons. Cabet for the use of his association of French Communists.–We learn from a gentleman who resides in Nauvoo that Cabet paid $3,000 and the citizens $1,000 for the Temple and arsenal, together with about eleven acres of ground–the title being vested solely in Mons. Cabet. He has commenced rebuilding the temple, and employs the labor of three hundred men upon the work. Much of the interest that has hitherto attached to this edifice will not be dissipated, for it will no longer wear the proud name of ‘TEMPLE,’ but in future it will be knwon as the ‘MONSTER BOARDING-HOUSE.’ The basement story is to be laid off in kitchens, the first floor will be converted into a dining room capable of accommodating a thousand persons, and the remainder of the building will be fitted up for school rooms, offices, and sleeping apartments for five hundred people. Sic transit gloria Templi!” (The Oquawka [Ill.] Spectator 2(13):2, 2 May, 1849; Snider Collection)
3 May: Description of future Salt Lake Temple.
“THE MORMON TEMPLE.–By a letter received from our brother, P. W. Cook, who was one that left Council Bluffs last spring for the Salt Lake, dated Aug. 2d, written while encamped on the Sweet Water River at the South Pass, (in sight of Fremon’s Peak) we gather some information which may not be uninteresting to our readers.–The new Mormon Temple at the Salt Lake is to be a splendid building. They enclose a lot 17 miles long and 12 miles wide, with a mud wall 8 feet high and four feet thick. There are to be four cities inside.–They have discovered mountain rock that resembles Cornelian stone, which the writer says is beautiful for temples and pillars. The size of the temple is not stated, but its highest point is to be 600 feet, and can be seen eighty miles either way. . . .–Niles Republican.” (Weekly Miners’ Express [Iowa] 8(29):1, 20 Mar., 1849; Davenport [Iowa] Gazette 8(34):4, 3 May, 1849; Snider Collection)
11 May: Rebuilding of Nauvoo Temple.
“Mons. Cabet, a French Communist, who, with a few hundred followers, emigrated to the United States some months since, and settled in Nauvoo, is now rebuilding the famous Mormon Temple, with a view of converting it into a boarding house for the accomadation of his people. The basement story is to be laid off into kitchens; the first floor will be used as a dining room; and the remainder of the edifice will be fitted up for school rooms, offices, and sleeping apartments for five hundred persons. Three hundred men are at work upon the building.” (Alton Telegraph & Democratic Review 14(19):2, 11 May, 1849; Snider Collection)
“NAUVOO TEMPLE.–We stated in our last that the walls of this edifice had been purchased by Mons. Cabet for the use of his assuration of French Communists. We learn from a gentleman who resides in Nauvoo that Cabet paid $3,000 and the citizens $1,000 for the Temple and arsenal, together with about eleven acres of ground–the title being vested solely in Mons. Cabet.–He has commenced re-building the Temple and employs the labor of three hundred men upon the work. Much of the interest that has hitherto attached to this edifice will now be dissipated, for it will no longer wear the proud name of ‘Temple,’ but in future it will be known as the ‘Monster Boarding House.’ The basement story is to be laid off into kitchens, the first floor will be converted into a dining room capable of accomodating a thousand persons, and the remainder of the building will be fitted up for school rooms, offices, and sleeping apartments for five hundred people. Sic transit gloris Templi!–Oquawka Spectator.” (The Davenport [Iowa] Gazette 8(39):3, 7 Jun., 1849; Snider Collection)
19 Jul.: Will the Mormons abandon baptisms for the dead?
“What will be the condition of this people in 1900? . . .
We believe that Mormonism will exist hereafter, perhaps, for an unlimited period of time. Gradually the wild fanaticism which have been witnessed in our day as connected with it, will be dropped and abandoned as men shall appreciate virtue and the best good of society–such as spiritual wifeism, baptism for the dead, and talking in unknown tongues–and Mormonism, shorn of its peculiarities as it has existed among us, and adopting the evangelical religious doctrines of the present day, will become a great church–an numerous people–and probably evidencing no more hostility to other sects than is exhibited among religious communities at the present day.” (Illinois Journal 18(50):4, 18 Jul., 1849; Snider Collection)
21 Jul.: Endowment on Ensign Peak.
“Addison Pratt received his endowments on Ensign Hill, the place being consecrated for the purpose. Pres. Young and Elders Isaac Morley, P. P. Pratt, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Show, Charles C. Rich, Franklin D. Richards, Levi W. Hancock, Henry Herrison, and Jededah M. Grant being present. Pres. Heber C. Kimball, Bishop N. K. Whitney and Elder John Taylor came after the ordinances were attended to. Elders Charles C. Rich and Addison Pratt were blessed by all, President Kimball being mouth.” (Manuscript History of Brigham Young, Book 4, Ms. p. 107. Brigham Young speaking; 21 Jul., 1849. See also CHC III:386-87; Jenson, Church Chronology, p. 37)
“Addison Pratt received his endowments on Ensign Hill, the place being consecrated for the purpose. Pres. Young and Elders Isaac Morley, Parley P. Pratt, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Charles C. Rich, Franklin D. Richards, Levi W. Hancock, Henry Harriman, and Jedediah M. Grant being present. President Heber C. Kimball, Bishop Newel K. Whitney and Elder John Taylor came after the ordinances were attended to. Elders Charles C. Rich and Addison Pratt were blessed by all, President Kimball being mouth. (Orig. min. of meeting on file.)” (JH 21 Jul., 1849)
2 Aug.: Van Deusen pamphlet in Liverpool.
“Pamphlets of lies are becoming quite numerous, and some are written by church of England clergymen; some two or three contain each of them eight wood cuts, illustrative of the various processes and ordinances performed in the endowment, as they declare, and purporting to have been obtained of–Vanduesen. All helps to keep business stirring.” (“Extract from a letter of elder Franklin D. Richards, dated, 15 Wilton street, Liverpool, August 2, 185[4]9, to his wife in this city,” DN 1(22):171, 14 Dec., 1850)
26 Aug.: Strangites begin baptisms for dead.
“Attended Conference. In the forenoon Pres. Strang made some remaks concerning the Order of Enoch, after which Pres Adams preached on the subject of salvation and baptism for the dead. In the afternoon appoinments and ordinations were attended to, after which baptisms both for the dead and the living were administred. It being the first time baptisms for the dead were ever administred in Voree.” (Gilbert Watson Journal, 26 Aug., 1849. RLDS Archives, F11/P19)
6 Oct.: Temple covenant to help poor gather to Zion.
“President H. C. Kimball then made some excellent remarks upon the importance of the Saints going to with their might, to fulfil the covenant made in the temple of the Lord in Nauvoo, that they would not cease their exertions until the poor were gathered to this safe and quiet resting place; and the importance of the elders bearing forth the gospel to the nations, that the honest in heart in all the world might have the opportunity of participating with us in the blessings, light, and liberty of the gospel.” (6 Oct., 1849; “A Summary of the Business Transacted at the General Conference, Held at the Great Salt Lake City, Oct. 6th and 7th, 1849,” MS 12(8):122-123, 15 Apr., 1850)
“President H. C. Kimball rose to present some items of business, the first of which is, to raise funds to bring the poor to this place. Most of you are aware of the covenant made by the Saints in the Temple in Nauvoo, that we would not cease our exertions until we had brought the poor to this valley, or those that wanted to come. We are hear, and are healthy and have plenty to eat, drink and to do, and I prophesy you shall never have less while you live. Shall we fulfil that covenant, or shall we not? The vote was unanimous to fulfil that covenant. Now let every man and woman take hold, and do not send your agent to the states with less than ten thousand dollars, and then you will cause a day of rejoicing among the poor in Illinois.” (6 Oct., 1849; “Minutes of the General Conference, Held at the Great Salt Lake City, From the Frontier Guardian,” MS 12(9):132, 1 May, 1850)
2 Nov.: You will receive endowments in Jackson Co. Temple
“Thou shalt gather thousands of the remnants and bring them to Zion; cause many of the Lamanites to receive the truth; shall have an inheritance in the Land of Zion; have a companion and a posterity that shall be great in the house of Israel; have power to work miracles in the name of the Lord; possess riches until thou are satisfied; live if you desire it with a perfect heart to see the redemption of Zion and the glory of the Lord rest upon the Temple that shall be built in the place appointed before all of this generation shall pass away, and thou shalt receive an endowment in that Temple and shalt inherit the Latter-day glory with all thy father’s house. Inasmuch as thou are faithful, these words shall not fail, Even so, Amen.” (Patriarchal blessing given to Albert King Thurber by John Smith, SLC, 2 Nov., 1849; in Treasures of Pioneer History 3:273-274, 1954)
21 Nov.: Oath of vengeance.
“He [William Smith] furnishes a copy of an oath, which he says is taken by the emigrants to the Salt Lake, the amount of which is that they and their descendants will ever be deadly enemies of the United States government.” (The Oquawka [Ill.] Spectator 2(42):2, 21 Nov., 1849; Snider Collection)
22 Dec.: Oath of vengeance.
“In this connexion may be mentioned another statement, made by Wm. Smith, brother of the Prophet, and now the self-styled head of the Church. In a late communication to one of the Cincinnatti papers he asserts that the Salt Lake Mormons will be content with nothing less than a free and independent government; and further, that all those elected or appointed as officers for the State have taken the following treasonable oath:
You do solemnly swear in the presence of Almighty God, his holy angels, and these witnesses, that you will avenge the blood of Joseph Smith on this nation, and teach the same to your children; and that you will, from this time, henceforth and forever, begin and carry out hostilities against the nation, and to keep the same intent a profound secret now and forever. So help you God.”
(Iowa Democratic Enquirer 2(24):3, 22 Dec., 1849; Snider Collection)
Waiting list for adoptions to Brigham.
“Between 1849 and 1854 the ‘waiting list’ of those desiring to join Brigham Young’s family increased by 175 names.” (Gordon Irving, “The Law of Adoption,” BYU Studies 14(3):304, Spring, 1974; referenced to “Nauvoo Sealings and Adoptions, 1846-1857, Bk A, pp. 794-800)