Below you will find Prince’s research excerpts titled, “Temples, 1852.” You can view other years here.
Search the content below for specific dates, names, and keywords using the keyboard shortcut Command + F on a Mac or Control + F on Windows.
TEMPLES, 1852
1852: 1 Jan.: Plans for SL Temple.
“When Israel had arrived in the promised Canaan, it became a national consideration to build a Temple unto the God of Jacob in Jerusalem, from which the whole Gentile world have caught the idea of having places peculiarly adapted to their modes of worship. In this Temple the Lord deigned to let his cloud rest down, as upon the Tabernacle, and give revelations to their ministers and prophets. While the people obeyed the holy precepts they prospered, till they became the head of all the surrounding nations in wisdom, in wealth, in strength and in glory. So important was this with them, that when the reward for their transgressions, their captivity in Babylon was expiring, their first favourite object was to return and build again the House of the Lord. The erection of a Temple seemed indispensable to their existence as a people. In the days of their penitence they deemed it of the greatest moment to establish the name of God in their midst; with this they felt safe from all surounding evils; without it they felt alone and without God in the world. So sacred and reverend was their Holy Temple unto them, that in all parts of the land they prahed with their faces toward it; and perhaps no single circumstance will better declare the high estimation in which it was held with them, than the fact that in after times, when Titus with his army had broken into Jerusalem, the inhabitants crowded into, and filled every apartment of the Temple to overflowing, confidently believing that the beloved Temple was invulnerable by the power of God, to the attacks of their enemies; but alas! the blood of Prophets, Apostles, and of the Saviour bore witness against them; and the horrid imprecation, ‘let his blood be upon us and our children,’ brought down the wrath of heaven upon them, His Name was no longer there, the glory had departed, and they were left to realize that He would no longer own their Temple or preserve them in it; for it was burnt to the ground almost a living mass of human beings. But why was it that they had such confidence in the Temple, that they should flee into it for safety in the hour of danger, that when they offered up their orisons their faces were turned towards it? Why did the whole nation bring their tytyes and offerings to it continually? why did their kings refuse to build themselves palaces till there was a place prepared for the Lord of Hosts to dwell? why was it that the Priests, Levites, and Nethiniums carried about that vast Tabernacle upon their shoulders through the wilderness from place to place in all their journeyings and encampments, the novelty of which challenges all the oddities of the Latter-day Saints for a parallel; It was because in those holy places which He had commanded them to build God revealed himself to them–there He made known his ordinances–there He confirmed promises upon the righteous and their generations for ever–there He established his Name, and there He conferred power upon his servants to execute his will on the earth, and against that power none could prevail; God being with them none could prevail against them.
As the ancient worthies appreciated the ordinances, the revelations, the ministrations, and the powers of the Lord’s House in their midst, so do the Saints of Latter-days. As in the Tabernacle, a portion of the Priesthood was bestowed, so in the Temple at Kirtland was a measure given. As in the Temple at Jerusalem, a great portion was bestowed, so also in the Holy Temple of the city of Joseph were made known the wonderful purposes of Jehovah concerning the past, the present and the future generations of man, both of the living and of the dead. Hundreds have secured unto themselves and their posterity the glorious promise of Eternal Life, and have obtained power to build up the Kingdom of God in the earth, and become Saviours upon Mount Zion. Having thus made their calling and election sure, they labor with increasing assiduity, that all the faithful may become partakers of the same glory, and this must be effected by the same means, viz., in an House built unto the Lord. Therefore Saints in the British Isles, let us arise and build!
As was anticipated in our Epistle of the last No. of the STAR, the word of instruction from the First Presidency has arrived, and it becomes our duty to send up our tythes and offerings to move on the great works of the Church, and rear up a Temple to the name of the Most High. In this the Saints are all interested, and in nothing can we be better engaged at the commencement of the New Year, than in devising how we may execute this high and holy purpose of the Lord concerning the exaltation of his people. Let the Saints of the British Conferences, both rich and poor, ministers and people, prepare themselves by removing all obstacles from the way, to engage with decision and energy in producing an acceptable offering unto the Lord.
You may except [expect?] to hear further from us upon this subject in our next.” (F. D. Richards, Editor; MS 14(1):9-10, 1 Jan., 1852)
15 Jan.: Tithing necessary for endowment.
“It is time that the Saints understood, and it is the duty of all Elders and officers, and especially the Bishops, to instruct the Saints, that the paying of their tithing is a prominent portion of the labour which is allotted to them, by which they are to secure a future residence in the heaven they are seeking after. To be prepared for a Celestial Heaven, they want the blessings of a Terrestrial Temple, builded to the name of Israel’s God, and without these blessings they cannot be prepared for the greatest glory; and should any one succeed in passing through the Temple, and receive all the blessings and endowments offered to any, that person never having tithed for the building of the Temple, or other public good, would have to hear the words of Jesus–enter in at the door, and he that entereth not in at the door, but dclimbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and robber; and the House of the Lord is the door to those who help to build it, but those who have the opportunity and do it not, the words of the Saviour remain true, if they enter therein; and from henceforth the living may not expect the blessings of the Temple unless they help to build it. Your tithing we value not, only as it affects your salvation, and the salvation of the dead.” (“Sixth General Epistle of the Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” MS 14(2):18, 15 Jan., 1852)
19 Jan.: Largest endowment company yet.
“The brethren finished giving endowments for the day at 6:30 p.m., the day witnessed the largest company that has yet gone through.” (JH 19 Jan., 1852)
27 Jan.: “Temple Room” in Council House.
“Pres. B. Young, Heber C. Kimball and Geo. D. Watts spent part of the day in the temple rooms.” (JH 27 Jan., 1852)
7 Feb.: 8 1/2 hours for endowment + sealings.
“Thos. Bullock engaged with the endowments. Orson Spencer, Thos. Bullock, Wm. C. Staines, Wm. W. Phelps, Geo. A. Smith, Samuel L. Sprague, Albert Carrington officiating. A very crowded room. Heber C. Kimball preached and afterwards sealed 16 couples. It took from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.” (JH 7 Feb., 1852)
15 Feb.: Hidden mysteries to be revealed in Temple.
“Within the Temple’s sacred walls
The Priesthood’s pow’r is seen,
There ‘hidden myst’ries’ are reveal’d
Without a veil between.”
(John Jaques, “Shall We Build a Temple Unto the Lord Our God?,” MS 14(4):63, 15 Feb., 1852)
22 Feb.: I bid gentiles come in door by adoption.
“We are here as Latter-day Saints; we cannot mingle with the world; if we do, we cease to be Saints. I say it just as the Lord has revealed it to me. The day the Latter-day Saints will say to the people in the world, ‘We love you, we will intermarry with you, we will give our daughters unto you for wives, and be one with you;’ that day, the curse comes upon this people as in days of old. You may see it in those who become partners of life, they are not joined by the Lord, neither is it sanctioned by the Angel of the Lord. And on that day it may be said, good bye to the road that leads to the Celestial Gate, and when you get to where you supposed it was, you will find it is not there. I will just say to every man and woman in this Kingdom, I will bid every Gentile to come in the door by Adoption, and after they have been adopted into the Family of Heaven; this is the House of Israel; and the tribe of Judah and the half tribe of Benjamin whom we call the Jews and others, we know nothing of them. We hear that Ephraim through Joseph was set above all of his brethren. We hear they have mingled with the nations of the Earth. Jacob put his right hand on Ephraim and blessed him and his seed are now scattered among the nations of the Earth, and wherever there may be even the smallest particle of the blood of Abraham to go to a child, you may depend upon it that this net will catch it, wherever it is. The greater part of this people are of the pure blood of Abraham, and only let this people mix with the Gentiles and your Priesthood would be taken from you.” (Brigham Young, 22 Feb., 1852; Collier, TPBY 3:59-60)
22 Feb.: Endowed with the power of the Gods.
“My Eldership is more honor to me than the honor and the power of the crowned heads; the comparison between the two is so wanting that there is no comparing it. It doesn’t weigh in the scale of eternity; when you reflect for a short time upon being crowned and endowed with the power of Gods and having made a few worlds like this, and set up some Kingdoms and pulled down others, it would be meager to you; you don’t know anything about it; it is that that explains the importance of an Eldership.” (Brigham Young, 22 Feb., 1852; Collier, TPJS 3:61-62)
25 Feb.: Taught in context of prayer circle.
“In the evening met with the prayer circle. Heber [C. Kimball ?] was present and taught us till 11 o’c.” (Hosea Stout diary, 25 Feb., 1852)
1 Mar.: Power to stand and overcome all things.
“And as it is through the ordinances of God that the power of God is made manifest to men in the flesh for their salvation, these ordinances must be accessible to every creature that is saved, and a fulness of salvation and glory cannot be had without a fulness of the ordinances of God’s house, which are only revealed in a Temple to which He can come, as it is written of Him, ‘The Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his temple,’ and shall sit as a refiner and purifier, and cause the sons of Jacob to return to His ordinances from which they have gone astray. Therefore the watchmen whom God has placed over His people are looking forward to the evil day that is fast approaching, when the hour of retribution shall come, and God’s judgment shall be given unto men in the day of His fierce anger, as a recompense for all their iniquity. They are seeking to impart unto the faithful those ordinances which shall clothe them with power to stand and overcome all things. Hence the Saints are now called upon to go to with their might and build a Temple unto the Lord, that all thigns may be prepared to which the Saints can be welcomed home, not only to enjoy the blessings and liberty of earthly institutions under wise and just administrations, but to enjoy the liberty of the Gospel, the intelligence, the ordinances, and through them the power of God unto Eternal Life, which is the greatest gift of heaven; and I am happy to learn that this call is appreciated by the Saints in these Islands, and responded to, both in word and in deed.” (Samuel W. Richards, MS 14(5):68, 1 Mar., 1852)
4 Mar.: Hosannah shout in Legislature.
“The Govornor President of the Council Speaker of the house with All the members of Both Branches of the Legislature Assembled with their ladies At the Council House & Legislative Hall & partook of an excellent fest And had an excellent social party. The Govorner gave an interesting Addressin the evening which closed with a shout of Hosannah.” (Wilford Woodruff diary, 4 Mar., 1852)
8 Mar.: Received endowments; sealed to eternal lives.
“in November of 1851 I was ordained a Seventy and joined the 8th quorum[.] in March of 1852 I received my endowments allso my wife received hers and we were sealed up to Eternal lives.” (John D. T. McAllister diary, 1851-52. Photocopy of holograph, Bergera notes)
“On the 8th of March [1852] my wife and I recived our endowments and Sealing ordinances.” (John Daniel Thompson McAllister Journal No. 1, 1853-1857. Photocopy of holograph, Huntington Library, p. 2)
20 Mar.: Tithing certificate for House of the Lord.
“It is the duty of all bishops and agents to make a full report of the tithing in their respective wards and districts on or before the first day of April, to the general office, that a general report may be prepared therefrom, to present to the General Conference, on the sixth of April; and similar reports will be wanted of all bishops on the first day of the month in which the semi-annual fall Conference shall be held.
When any person comes to the general office, to make a final annual settlement, or a settlement in full for the purpose of getting his certificate, which will entitle him to the privileges of the House of the Lord and his bishop has not previously rendered his account to the office by book or bill, the person so coming must bring a certified bill from his bishop.” (DN 20 Mar., 1852)
23 Mar.: When endowments prove a curse.
“The most of those present have received their endowments, their washings and anointings and have made covenants to their God and their brethren, before witness, that they would be faithful, that they would be true, that they would listen to all the counsels of the Lord’s servants, and cease to do evil. All who have done this have been pronounced clean, and will they then go and pollute themselves with the wicked? I am sorry to say that a few are unwise enough to do so.
Both men and women have also covenanted that they will have no unlawful intercourse with each other. After all this, do any of you make a practice of speaking evil one of another, of cheating one another, of lying and deceiving? Yes, some who are under the covenants just named actually indulge in those evil practices, and I say to all such that if they do not repent of their follies and sins, their washings and anointings will prove a curse instead of a blessing, and will expedite their condemnation.
If a man sins to that degree that he is cut off from the Church, he forfeits the blessings promised on condition of keeping his covenants. When a man loses his membership in this Church, he also loses his Priesthood, and of course the blessings of his endowments. Do not flatter yourself that you can retain the blessings of the Gospel, and at the same time pursue a wicked course, for you cannot do it.” (Heber C. Kimball, 23 Mar., 1852; JD 3:269)
1-3 Apr.: Re-washing and re-anointing?
“The Presidency & Twelve & those that Had been at work in the Council House assisted in the En[dowments?] were washed & annointed. I did not get word of it & was not present.” (Wilford Woodruff diary, 1-3 Apr., 1852)
8/9 Apr.: Concerning endowments.
[Collier note, TPBY 3:71:
Originally this discourse was published under the date of April 8th, 1852; however, the journal of Wilford Woodruff as well as the minutes of the meeting as given above, indicate that this discourse was actually given on April 9th, 1852.]
“There is a goodly portion of this congregation that have received their endowments. I am disposed to speak upon this subject, hinting at the privileges and the blessings of the children of the kingdom, though I will bear testimony in the first place, especially to some of the last remarks of my brother Phineas–I know them to be true, and assuredly the case. A perfect example of it you may see in your children when they have plenty to eat; when all they can eat, they will eat, until they are uneasy and unhappy, and still they will cry for more. Now this is truly the case with the children of the kingdom. When they are filled full to overflowing, so that they are at a loss to know what to do with what they have got, they will whine and complain, and thirst for more. This is the weakness of man; they want a proper understanding to know when they receive blessings, how to appreciate and improve upon them.
The condition of this people, in a temporal point of view, may truly be compared to that of a family who are blessed with the luxuries of life, with everything they can desire, with every variety of sweet meats, with every variety of beautiful gardens, walks, orchards, yards and streets, or parks, and summer houses, and every variety of earthly possession their hearts can wish or the brain of man can imagine to have devoted to their comfort; they have nothing to do but seek pleasure–ride, walk, meditate, contemplate, and yet they are as unhappy as any people can be.
This, however, does not apply to all. There are individuals in this community who have, in comparison, comparing heavenly things with earthly things, everything they can desire. Then they are rich, they have nothing to do but to put forth their hands, and pluck what they please, but they must do it according to the laws and government of heaven, must pluck systematically, so as not to infringe upon any law of God’s kingdom. All is before them; they have nothing to do but enjoy themselves, and yet their spirits are unhappy, uneasy, and discontented; they want more, and are inclined to retain what they do have, unlawfully; they wish to retain it in some other way than that pointed out in the laws of the celestial kingdom. I say, I bear witness to this. Brethren, let us not be children all the days of our lives, but let us increase, to a great extent, our capacities, that we may become men and women before the Lord.
Now, brethren, to you I desire to speak a few words, that is, to the Saints, incorporating in the first place those who have received their endowments, and those who have not received their endowments. It is necessary to state the facts as they are, with regard to our privileges. It is very difficult to give the people their endowments, not having a proper place where we can do it. Let us inquire of ourselves, is it not necessary that we should have a temple? Now, brethren, if you can believe it, I will reveal the truth to you. It is absolutely necessary that this people should build a temple to the Most High God. ‘What for?’ it may be inquired. ‘To worship the Lord in?’ Yes. ‘To assemble the congregation in?’ No! Absolutely this is the fact. ‘Have we not heretofore built temples, and commenced others?’ And when these were built, they were built for the assembly of the people, and for the public worship of God, but this was by permission, that is all. A temple that is built for the Priests of the Most High, is built to be occupied by that Priesthood, by those who have the oracles of that Priesthood. But it may be inquired–‘Are they not built to assemble the congregation in to confess their sins, to confess their faults, and to exhort each other, and partake of the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, &c.?’ That is not the design of a temple, though it may be done in it. The tabernacle is for the congregation, and the temple is for the Priests of the Most High to enter in, and be as pillars, and there administer in the name of Israel’s God, and for the salvation of the living and the dead; that is what temples are for. For instance, let me ask the question here of the Elders of Israel–Are we now in circumstances to go forth and redeem our fathers, and our forefathers–to act in their behalf? Now the congregation are lost at this very reflection, they don’t know anything about it; but if I reveal the facts in the case to you, then you will know.
Were we to inquire, Where is your baptismal font to begin the operation? It is to be built for the express purpose of going down into it to be baptized for your forefathers, for the remission of their sins; and without this, not the first step can be taken. If we cannot take the first step, it would be altogether improper in undertaking to take the last step. This would be just like a man standing at the bottom of a ladder, all the time reaching to the top round, without coming to it in the regular way by stepping on the first, second, &c. You have got to begin at the beginning. Although we are giving endowments here, yet if we had enjoyed the privilege that we should have enjoyed in the land of our nativity, and had had the privilege of building temples, and dedicating them, and of occupying them, there is not an act of ours but what would have been legal. If the inquiry should arise, if it is now by the right authority we act, I will tell you, it is by the authority of permission; and if we had not a house here, and were disposed to take the trouble of going on these mountains, and there give the endowment, the Lord would own it, and acknowledge those endowed, and all hell could not prevail against them.
Now these are the facts in the case–if this people wish to be exalted, it is often told to you by my brethren, brother Heber in particular often reminds us of the necessity of making our own heaven–if you wish your endowments and exaltations, you must go to work and exert yourselves.
An inquiry may arise again–‘Can we do this of ourselves, independent of the power of God?’ I answer, no. I can say to every person in this house, we cannot do the first thing towards it in and of ourselves; but can we not be co-workers with those who give power and authority? We can. Now I am far from believing, and so are you, that the Lord will give us our endowments, and prepare us for a celestial kingdom, without our doing it. I will say further, the Lord could not save us, unless we save ourselves.
That is the order of heaven, and of all the heavens that are; and surely it is the order which has been given to us. We are made intelligent beings; God has placed intelligence in every person, to a greater or less degree; that intelligence must be improved; you must act upon that which is given to you, in order for the principles of intelligence to expand within the person, that they may increase and grow, that they may receive, and continue to receive, until you see as you are seen, and know as you are known.
If we expect to receive our endowments, we have got to go to work and prepare ourselves, and get our endowments; and when we take the path marked out by the Lord Almighty–when we follow the footsteps marked for us to travel in–when that is our course, the Lord will bless the labour of our hands; but until we do that, all our efforts are in vain. The path has been plainly marked out, and the directions have been given for the human family to save themselves; out of that channel, their efforts are in vain; in it God owns their labours, and blesses their works, and thus prepares them for salvation.
Now in the first place, I will say to the brethren who receive their endowments, and every ordinance to be bestowed upon them, when this people go to work and build a temple when it is required of them, all these ordinances will be given to them over again, every one of them. When the temple of the Lord is done, all these ordinances will [be] gone through again, and will be administered for my father, and my mother, and my family who have fallen asleep, and for this congregation, every one of them who have received their endowments here; but if they should fall asleep, their present endowments are valid. If they live, the Lord will require at the hands of this people the building of a temple to receive their ordinances legally, according to the strict letter of the law.
Perhaps many of you do not know; you suppose, no doubt, that you have got all you can have, and therefore it is no use doing this, that, or the other. Now if this is the case, I want to stand before you as a Revelator, and reveal to you the facts in the case. Let no man present think he can receive blessings in the Priesthood, if he fails to fulfil the duties he has been taught with regard to building a temple. It is necessary for us to put forth our hands and prepare a place where the endowments can be given legally. Such an individual will lose what little faith he has, and finally he will be lost also, and that is the result of it.
Again, I will speak to those who have not received their endowments. We expect to continue our labours here from day to day in administering the ordinances of hte endowment as fast as we can, although our conveniences are limited; all who have experienced for themselves, know that our privileges are very limited in this matter. All the places this people have hitherto been enabled to erect and prepare, are far short of what we actually need; they only answer the purpose in an extreme case, though they bestow great honour upon a person who can understand; figures are reduced to reality, and realities are exhibited by figures, and those who have the Spirit and understand, derive great comfort and consolation from that source. I believe, as far as I have knowledge, that every person, almost without exception, who has received his endowment in this place, is well satisfied. There are many who know but little or nothing about it, but we shall continue to give the brethren and sisters their endowments, that if they should be called away to preach upon the islands of the sea, or be sent to some foreign land to labour, or be taken away before any other principles can be made known to them, these blessings will have been bestowed upon them, and they will be legal and valid.
You may inquire, ‘Why is this so?’ I observed, if we had enjoyed the privilege of remaining in our mother country, of building and inhabiting, of planting, and enjoying the fruits of our labours, and had had the privilege of building temples as we should have had, according to the glorious Constitution of the United States, no such permission would have been given; but in consequence of the power of the enemy and the wickedness of the children of men, they overcame the Saints, they persecuted them, they have driven them, and have worn them out, thousands of them, twice told. When brother Phineas inquired what had become of so many who had taken upon them the name of Christ, I could cast my eye over this congregation and say, many as to number of such congregations as this, their bodies are sleeping quiety in the dust, and their spirits are in paradise; they have died in full faith, and in hope of a glorious resurrection. Though thousands who have embraced the latter day work have apostatized, yet thousands and thousands have died in the faith. The Saints have been worn out, they have been smitten and driven, and they have taken the spoiling of their goods joyfully. They have retreated from their enemies; they have yielded up all when they could not retain their position any longer. They have yielded to persecution, and have bowed down their necks to the yoke all the day long, and borne it patiently; and through their faith and patience they have hitherto overcome. The Lord has permitted this, and it is all right. I say to you, brethren, that hav not received your endowments, be patient. We will administer the sealing ordinances to you as fast as we can. We will do all we can for the people. Every blessing the Lord has for the people we will be as ready as possible to bestow upon them, acting as minute men for their good.
But one thing they may understand and duly consider–if the Lord has nothing for the people, they need not ask me for anything. And if the people feel like complaining against me, they can complain as long as they please; my feelings all the time are, I ask no odds of them. If I have anything for the people, they are welcome to it; and when I feel tired and wearied, and feel indisposed to do this or that, the whining of the people will never make me do it. I heard here last evening inquiries made if the brethren intended to do this, or that–if they intended to send out a mission this season; they wanted to ask that question of the President of the Seventies. I say, it is none of your business; mind your own business.
When the Lord has anything for the people, it is then time enough for the Presidents to tell them of it. But if the people claim at the hands of the servants of the Lord that which the Lord has not given them, it will be poor picking: that vine is too poor to bear fruit. When it is necessary for all the Seventies to be organized, I will tell them of it. When it is necessary to do anything pertaining to the Presidency of the Seventies, I will tell them of it. And when it is necessary to build a temple, I will tell the people.
I will tell them at this Confernce, this morning, our design and wish are, that we make preparations to commence the temple in the spring of 1853: to commence the foundation for building a temple to the name of Israel’s God, that He may have a dwelling place as well as the congregation. When the temple is properly built, and devoted to this purpose, to prepare us for a celestial inheritance, that temple will be set apart for a dwelling place for the Lord to inhabit, and the tabernacle will be for the congregation. Do you understand the difference? This is the place for preaching in, until we can build a larger tabernacle; hence, when we have built a temple, the tabernacle must be confined to the use of the people all the time.
I will tell you what we can do; we can get the walls built up around this block; we can go on the north, east, and west side, making a comfortable bowery, and there the people can sit. We should be out of doors it is true; we should have to preach out of doors; but it would be as comfortable as in this house. I would choose to be out of doors as much as to be here. You stand between these two doors here, and you will say that you would rather stand out of doors and preach, than stand in this draught.
If this place won’t convene the people until we build a temple, we can have a bowery made, or a kind of shed put up for us that will contain the people, and put in temporary benches, the same as we had in the old bowery; there we will sit, and preach, and sing, and convene the whole congregation. If we want to do business, we call the Elders into this tabernacle, that is, if it is necessary. And the next thing is to go to work and prepare for the building of a temple, that the Elders of Israel may receive their endowments according to the literal letter of the law of divinity, as the Lord has revealed it. However, I wish to urge upon you, brethren, the necessity of not being in a hurry, though we will do the work as fast as we can, and you shall have your blessings as far as we can give them by permission.
I wish to see the brethren put forth their hands as in times past, to help to build up this kingdom. I realize that many of them are like brother Phineas, they want to be urged, and invited, and wait to be looked after. I wish to say to the old brethren who were in Missouri, and in Nauvoo, we choose to give you your blessings first; and when any such present yourselves, we give you the preference; you have borne the heat and burden of the day, and are entitled to these blessings first. Those who have come lately into the Church, have done and suffered but little or nothing. Although many who have come into the Church, have not done the first thing towards building up the kingdom of God, yet they are bold to ask for their endowments; we give them to them to get them out of our way. This may have hurt some of your feelings, but, brethren, when Jacob is blessed, never mind, don’t feel hard about it; should the blessings mar your feelings, they administer some consolation to the others.
Those who have sat upon the watch tower, and laboured night and day, and watched the Prophet of the Lord, come up, that we may get hold of you. And I will say now, wherever there is a brother that went into the Battalion, if there is one boy or man left, if you don’t choose to pass by your blessings, come and let us bless you, and give you your endowments. These boys deserve their blessings; I say to all such, come along, and if we can bless you we are here to do it.
I would also say to all the pioneers who first came to this valley, report yourselves, and come and receive your blessings; you were faithful over a few things, and if you still be faithful, you shall be made rulers over many things, if your hearts faint not by the way, but remain steadfast.
So much for you, brethren, who have not received your endowments, and would wish still to receive them. We will work as fast as we can, that you may enjoy your privileges.
Many of my brethren with me speak of leaving for the south; and so, many want sealing done before I leave, as though I was not going to return. I have to bet of them to wait until we get back. We are almost flooded to death with business: ‘Cannot you do this, cannot you do that, before you go away?’ is almost all the time ringing in our ears. We shall have all eternity to spend, therefore don’t be in a hurry. If you are faithful to your calling, let me tell you there are no blessings contained in the celestial law of the kingdom of God, but what you will have a privilege to enjoy; and if you are faithful, all things are yours, whether in heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth; all things, whether they be principalities or powers, or things present or things to come; the heights and depths of eternal wisdom will be yours. You will then be rich; only be faithful, and the Lord has it all in store for you.
Now do you want me to explain this a little? Suppose I happen to drop off from this state of mortal existence, and leave a great many things undone that I wanted to do. For instance, I am not sealed to my father, and this is necessary, as I was born before the new and everlasting covenant was restored; consequently, not being an heir, I have to receive my inheritance in my father’s kingdom by adoption–by the sealing law. The keys of the sealing power spoken of were to be committed to Elijah for the last days; these are things spoken of. I must be sealed to my father, and thus make a chain of Priesthood to connect the links together. Suppose I should drop off before this is done, what a pity it would be for brother Brigham to go into eternity and not have his work done. Let me be faithful unto the end, and my works will follow me. If I had not a son in the world disposed to do my work for me, by and by my daughters would have sons and grandsons; and suppose they would not act for me, I have friends on the earth, for God would raise them up for me, to do my work. That is not all: by and by the Lord will say to the sleeping dust, Awake and come forth out of your graves. I am on hand, the Lord wakes me up, or sends somebody to do it that possesses the keys of the resurrection. My dust is waked up, my spirit is re-united to it, and it is made a celestial body, filled with immortality and eternal life. Behold, the first that my children or my friends know of it, I will be with them in some of these temples, and tell them what to do.
In this you see I am not discouraged or at all disheartened in pursuing my duties in this life, for I shall get all my blessings. The Lord will not suffer any faithful person to be neglected, though you see the pulling and scratching that there are here. If you cannot see these spirits, I can; I know their feelings–they want to get this, and that, and the other. What for? Why, ‘I would be exalted and blessed first and foremost, I want to be the greatest, the first, and the best in all the kingdom of God.’ Get away from me with your nonsense. What blessings will you receive? What blessings will I receive? I shall be blessed just in proportion to the amount of labour I do, precisely; and if I am slothful, and neglect my duty, and neglect my prayers, and to be kind to those around me–neglect to teach the people, to feed the poor, and administer to those who are needy, when I have ability to do so, I shall be rewarded according to my works.
Now, ladies and gentlemen, take that to heart, every one of you will be rewarded according to your works. You will often see it thus among the brethren: ‘I wish I was ordained a President of the High Priests’ Quorum.’ Why? ‘I should be looked upon as the biggest man in the kingdom.’ Another will say, ‘O if I were only a Prophet, and a Seer, what a big man I would be! I should be up head and shoulders above brother Brigham.’ What nonsense! Why was not I brother Joseph? Why did you not tell the Lord that He ought to have called me out to open up this last dispensation? If He had, He would have left out you.
These little sanctified preachers boast, and say, ‘If you were to do so and so; I merely suggest it to have you look at it, and see what you think of it; I think it is a better plan; it is, I think, more heavenly.’ They will give their views as to whom to call, and whom not to call. I tell you, you had better stay at home and keep your noses clean. You do not see this among the Elders and Seventies, among the High Priests, and in the High Council, and no where else, but you see it among the females, among the sisters. ‘O what a glory it is to me, I am the first woman in this kingdom, how large I do feel, how important I must look, how grand to think that I am the first lady in the kingdom!’ They are just like their brother the devil, precisely; they do not care if they creep as low as he, in other points, yet they will stretch up their necks and declare what great big bodies they are. And you can see it among the Seventies out in the world. At a certain Conference, as much time ws consumed as we have used in this Conference, to find out if a Seventy was to preside in a Conference. I think brother —– had a pretty time in his neighbourhood. Zebedee Coltrin was traveling, and also Charley Thompson. Charley raised up a Branch, and commenced presiding over it. Three days were spent to find out whether Zebedee of old or Charley of late was to preside over the Conference. They might have known better. Such a spirit as they imbibed, made them altogether unfit to preside over themselves, or over the least one of God’s creation.
Brethren, let us mind our own business, that is, the calling the Lord has called us to–to do everything we can to promote the good of the cause of truth, and never ask how big we are, or inquire who we are; but let it be, ‘What can I do to build up the kingdom of God upon the earth?’ And then you can understand what every man out to do–which is the best he can. Every woman ought to do the best she possibly can to build up the cause of truth. You may ask, ‘What will be our reward?’ I don’t know. Ask the man who is devoted to the cause of his God, what he is working for. ‘Are you expecting to get some great seat in heaven?’ He will answer, ‘I don’t know, I never asked the question, I have never given it a thought, and I don’t care anything about it, the Lord is with me to work while I am in the flesh. I love the light, the virtue, the freedom, the intelligence, and the knowledge of God; and that is enough for me, to make me get fat all the time.’
I will tell you one thing more, if I can reveal it to you so that you can understand it. A great many are very anxious to know if they will be satisfied with their situation hereafter. Now I tell you, if you do the best you can, and all the good you can here, you will be satisfied hereafter; but if you sit down and whine, and complain of your situation here, you won’t be satisfied hereafter. Can you realize that? I think you may; if you are devoted to the cause of doing good on earth, of promoting righteousness and the kingdom of God, you will be satisfied hereafter; but if you continue in your selfishness and complaining, you won’t be prepared to receive the crown you desire, but lose the very object you are whining for, and render yourselves unworthy of it; you will look back upon your past life, and say, ‘I have not done the best I could, and now I have lost all.’ Whom will you be dissatisfied with? Not with me, nor with the Lord; you will know He has done right, and you will be judged out of your own mouth.
Now let every man and woman from henceforth do all they can to build up the kingdom of God upon the earth, and never wilfully do wrong to any of God’s creatures that are upon the earth. If you take this track, you will be perfectly satisfied; you will be situated just as you want to be; there will not be a murmuring thought, or an uncomfortable reflection pass over your minds; but you will be calm and tranquil as the soft, balmy breezes of heaven. The Lord is yours, and you are the Lord’s. If there be still any grounds for complaints here, they are caused by our own neglect, and picayunish feelings.” (Brigham Young, 8 Apr., 1852; MS 16(20 & 21):310-312, 324-327; 20 & 27 May, 1854)
8 Apr.: Law of Adoption explained.
“Now, do you want me to explain this a little? Suppose I happen to drop off from this state of mortal existence, and leave a great many things undone that I wanted to do. For instance, I am not sealed to my father, and this is necessary, as I was born before the new and everlasting covenant was restored; consequently, not being an heir, I have to receive my inheritance in my father’s kingdom by adoption–by the sealing law. The keys of the sealing power spoken of were to be committed to Elijah for the last days; these are things spoken of. I must be sealed to my father, and thus make a chain of priesthood to connect the links together. Suppose I should drop off before this is done, what a pity it would be for Brother Brigham to go into eternity and not have his work done. Let me be faithful unto the end, and my works will follow me. If I had not a son in the world disposed to do my work for me, by and by, my daughters would have sons and grandsons; and suppose they would not act for me, I have friends on the earth, for God would raise them up for me, to do my work. That is not all: by and by the Lord will say to the sleeping dust, awake, and come forth out of your graves. I am on hand, the Lord wakes me up, or sends somebody to do it that possesses the keys of the resurrection. My dust is waked up, my spirit is reunited to it, and it is made a celestial body, filled with immortality and eternal life. Behold, the first that my children or my friends know of it, I will be with them in some of these temples, and tell them what to do.” (Brigham Young, 8 Apr., 1852. Quoted in “Need of Temples,” RS Magazine 7:599-600, 1920)
9 Apr.: Endowments for dead require temple.
“President Brigham Young Said this people are Blessed with all that Heart can wish, and yet many are not satisfyed. This is the case with some spirits & they want things illegally. But is it not necessary that we should have a Temple? It is Absolutely necessary that we should have a Temple to worship the Most High God in. A Tabernacle is to Assemble the Multitude for meetings but a Temple is to gather the priesthood in that they may do the work of the Lord. Are we prepared to go & redeem our dead? Is their a place prepared to go & Redeem our dead? No their is not. We give Endowments Here but it is like trying to step on the top round first. If we had the privilege of stoping or Building a Temple our works would not be legal but we do these things untill we have time to build a Temple. If we had gone onto the top of the mountains if we had no room it would be legal & right.
Brother Kimball says we have to make our own heaven. The Lord cannot save us if we do not save ourselves. If we expect to get our Endowments we have got to follow the footsteps that God has set for us to walk in & if we walk in that Channel God own our labors & acknowledges all that is done. Now all the ordinances will have to be attended to again when we get a temple yet if any one dies in the faith those ordinances will be legal but all that live will have to do it again. And I want to say as a Revelation that if you will not help build a Temple & have faith in the work you will be lost.
A word to those who have got their Endowments. We shall work as fast as we can And what we have done is legal. If we had been in [our] own land & had a right to a Temple we should not do as we now do. Many [who] have died in the faith have been worn out. Th[eir/ose?] ordinances are legal. Those who came in the Church first & are faithful have a right to the ordinances first. I wish the people to understand that when the Lord has any thing for them they will have it. But when the Lord has Nothing for the people I dont wish them to teaze me for what they cannot have. When their is to be a work done I will tell you. Now we shall begin to build a Temple in 1853. This Tabernacle will have to accomodate the people untill the Temple is built. If thos wont Answer for the people untill we build a Temple we will make a Bowery on the North & South sides of the Block. As soon as the Temkple is built we will give you your Endowments.” (Brigham Young, in Wilford Woodruff diary, 9 Apr., 1852. Note that this discourse preceded the Adam-God discourse which came later the same day.)
“Is it not necessary that we should have a temple? Now, brethren, if you can believe it, I will reveal the truth to you. It is absolutely necessary that this people should build a temple to the most high God. ‘What for?’ it may be inquired. ‘To worship the Lord in?’ No! Absolutely this is the fact. ‘Have we not heretofore built temples, and commenced others?’ ‘And when these were built, were they not built for the assembly of the people, and for the public worship of God?’ Yes, but this was by permission, that is all. A temple that is built for the priests of the most high, is built to be occupied by the priesthood, by those who have the oracles of that priesthood. But it may be inquired–‘Are they not built to assemble the congregation in to confess their faults, and to exhort each other, and partake of the sacrament of the Lord’s supper, etc.?’ That is not the design of a temple, though it may be done in it. The tabernacle is for the congregation, and the temple is for the priests of the most high to enter in, and be as pillars, and there administer in the name of Israel’s God, and for the salvation of the living and the dead; that is what temples are for. For instance, let me ask the question here of the elders of Israel–are we not in circumstances to go forth and redeem our fathers, and our forefathers–to act in their behalf? Now the congregation are lost at this very reflection, they don’t know anything about it; but if I reveal the facts in the case to you, then you will know.
Were we to inquire, where is your baptismal font to begin the operation? It is to be built for the express purpose of going down into it to be baptized for your forefathers, for the remission of their sins; and without this, not the first step can be taken. If we cannot take the first step, it would be altogether improper in undertaking to take the last step. This would just be like a man standing at the bottom of a ladder, all the time reaching to the top round, without coming to it in the regular way by stepping on the first, second, etc. You have got to begin at the beginning. Although we are giving endowments here, yet if we had enjoyed the privilege that we should have enjoyed in the land of our nativity, and had had the privilege of building temples, and dedicating them, and of occupying them, there is not an act of ours but what would have been legal. If the inquiry should arise, is it by the right authority we act? I will tell you, it is by the authority of permission; and if we had not a house here, and were disposed to take the trouble of going on these mountains, and there give the endowments, the Lord would own it, and acknowledge those endowed, and all hell could not prevail against them.” (Brigham Young, 9 Apr., 1852. Quoted in “Pioneer Temple building in Utah,” RS Magazine 7:659-660, 1920)
“President Brigham Young addressed the Saints on the subject of their endowments, and poured forth revelation after revelation on the subject. A most heavenly influence prevailed. He closed by shouting Hallelujah, Praise ye the Lord.” (9 Apr., 1852, SL General Conference Minutes; MS 14(23):356, 31 Jul., 1852)
11 Apr.: Don’t be sealed to wives of dead brethren.
“President [Heber C.] Kimball preached to day Spoke against brethren taking the wives of dead brethren and having them seald to them for eternity and divers others subjects.” (Hosea Stout diary, 11 Apr., 1852)
“Some men wanted to get women from their husbands who are dead & get them sealed to them. Such would rob the dead. This is wrong. Let me do for the dead what they cannot do for themselves & this is right & the dead will plead for that man to be blessed. Never take a course to rob the dead.
I will have time to redeem all my dead friends either in time or Eternity. The Melinium will be spent in the Temples of the Lord in Redeeming our dead. If my friends will not Receive my testimony I will let them alone & when they have been in Hell long enough I will go & Redeem them. I will take a Course to get the Blessing upon my seed that Adam had upon his seed. Joseph Had it & I have it. If my children sin they will have to Repent of & pay for it but will be saved in the End. We Should not go to law with each other. All that will not go to Law say I. All said I. I would as lieves be damned without a man as to be damned with a man that would steal a dead mans wife for He will be damned any how.” (Heber C. Kimball, in Wilford Woodruff diary, 11 Apr., 1852)
11 Apr.: Further endowments postponed until BY’s trip.
“President Kimball then presented Truman O. Angel, to be continued as the Architect of the Public Works for the Church, and he was accordingly sustained. He gave notice that the giving of endowments to the Saints would be postponed until the return of President Young from his intended exploring expedition to the south.” (11 Apr., 1852, SL General Conference Minutes; MS 14(23):356, 31 Jul., 1852)
15 May: 2nd anointings for the dead?
“Then there is the Temple of the Lord. Our heart swells with the most lively emotions when we think upon this subject. Those who have died without the Gospel, cannot, of course, attend to its ordinances personally. Yet our Lord said that no man could enter the kingdom without those ordinances being attended to. The dead must obey the ordinances by proxy–by their representatives upon the earth; and this is an ordinance of the Lord’s house. Joseph declared that the greatest responsibility that the Lord has laid upon us, is to seek after our dead. Again, it is written that the Saints will reign on the earth as Kings and Priests to God. Will any one reign as King and Priest to God, without being first ordained to that power and authority? No; and these higher ordinations pertain to the ordinances of the Lord’s House.” (Samuel W. Richards, Editor, MS 14(12):186, 15 May, 1852)
29 May: Telestial beings can’t keep terrestrial law.
“A telestial being is not capable of keeping a terrestrial law, for want of knowledge; a terrestrial being is not capable of keeping a celestial law for want of knowledge; and he is not capable of receiving that knowledge for want of capacity; his soul is not sufficiently expanded; the terrestrial law fills him full, and he cannot retain more. When any measure is full, to add more, is to waste; it will run over and be lost.
As with measures, so with intelligences; when a man is filled with the intelligence, the law pertaining to the kingdom which he inhabits, he can receive no more, he can retain no more, and if a law of higher order were given to him, he would have no room for it, no capacity to improve by it.” (Editorial, DN 29 May, 1852)
29 May: Christ received his endowments long ago.
“But what does the Lord want of so much tithing and consecration? To build Temples? No! he don’t want any of your money. He is not coming down here to work and build houses; he has been here and done his work, and he wants you to use your own means and do your own building. Does he want a Temple where in he can receive his endowment? No! he received his endowment a long time ago, and has entered into his rest, and he wants you to build a house unto his name, a holy place, where he can meet you, and see that you receive your endowments as he has his, that where he has gone you may go also and dwell with him forever.” (Editorial, DN 29 May, 1852)
May: Prayer circles, sealings in Iron County.
“It was now thought best to organize Iron County into a Stake. Accordingly in May, 1852 a stake was organized with John Calvin L. Smith President, John Steele and Henry Lunt, Counselors, ordained under the hands of President Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and Orson Pratt. Henry Lunt was sent to preside in Cedar City, and for me to remain and help Calvin in Parowan. Prayer circles were organized and held twice a week, at which I had to preside as there were very few who knew how to manage them. . . .
When the stake was organized in 1852, Brother Orson Pratt sealed my wife Catherine to me in Brother George A. Smith’s house.” (John Steele Journal, UHQ 6(1):26, Jan., 1933)
7 Jul.: Council house endowments resumed.
“On the 7th by my direction President Heber C. Kimball resumed the administration of the ordinances of Endowment to the Saints, in the Council House.” (Brigham Young, BYMH–CHECK SOURCE)
“President Heber C. Kimball and others resumed the administration of the ordinances of endowments to the Saints in the Council House.” (Journal History 7 Jul., 1852)
25 Jul.: Kings and Priests before we die.
“What did Paul say upon this subject? He said, ‘I have fought a good fight,’ ‘I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day.’ Do you understand this passage? Remember that this crown that Paul speaks of, was not to be given in the day we die; but it is to be given in ‘that day‘–the day of the Lord’s appearing; it is to be given to all those that love his appearing; then is the time that Paul will get his crown; then in the time that the Saints who fall asleep in our day, will receive their crowns–crowns of rejoicing–kingly crowns. What good would a crown do a man who is miserable and wretched? Many persons have worn crowns in this life; tyrants have had crowns of diamonds and gold; but what benefit are they? None at all, except to a being who has made himself perfectly happy by his obedience. But what are we to understand by this crown of righteousness, which is to be given to the Saints? We understand that it is actually to be a crown of glory; that they are to be kings in reality. John speaks in the first chapter of his Revelations to the Churches in his day, and represents the Saints to be Kings and Priests; he says, Christ ‘hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father;’ and this too, while in this life.
In another place he speaks of those who are dead–about their singing a new song: ‘And they sung a new song, saying,’ Thou ‘hast redeemed us Oh God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation, and hast made us unto our God kings and priests.’ Here then we find, from the first chapter, that they were made Kings and Priests before they were dead; and in the next quotation, we find that they still retained their kingly office after death, and actually had made songs to express their happy condition–Thou ‘hast made us kings and priests.’ Now we see the reason why they are to wear crowns, for they will be made Kings and Priests on the earth; the Lord then, must have some way to give this kingly power.
Do you understand this, brethren and sisters? If you were to speak, I should hear innumerable voices respond, ‘Yes, we understand it; the Lord has revealed the ordinances; we know how the sons and daughters of God obtain this kingly office, while living here in this mortal tabernacle.’
We will pass over that; suffice it to say, that death does not wrench it from them; for they are to be kings, not for a day, or for this short life, but they are to remain to all eternity kings; having their thrones, and acting in the duties belonging to their kingly office. Compared with this, what are all the little, petty kingdoms of this earth worth? They are not worth one snap of the finger. The kings of the world exercise a certain authority over the nations–over their subjects, issuing laws, and framing governments, and controlling them; and do you suppose that the Saints will be kings in the eternal world, and sit down upon thrones, in silence, not exercising the functions of their office? No. That is not the way the Lord has organized His creations; if there are kings, you may depend upon it they will have kingdoms under their control; they will have authority and dominion; they will give laws to those subjects over whom they bear rule; they will control them by the priestly office, for it is combined with the kingly office, and neither can be separated and contraced in His feelings, in His views and disposition, that He would limit the authority of the priestly office to this little globe we inhabit? No. God has more expansive views; His works are without beginning, and without end; they are one eternal round. What kind of works are they? They are to make creations, and people them with living beings, and place them in a condition to prove themselves; and to exercise the kingly and priestly office to redeem them after they have suffered pain, and sorrow, and distress; and to bring them up into the presence of God; that they, in their turn, may become kings and priests for other creations that shall be made, and that shall be governed and ruled over by those possessing the proper authority.” (Orson Pratt, 25 Jul., 1852; JD 1:290-291)
7 Aug.: Not an elder has received his endowment yet.
“There is not an elder in Israel who has received his endowment, neither will he till a temple is completed, and without the complete ordinances of the House of the Lord, there is no perfect salvation, and what will you do about it?” (Editorial, DN 7 Aug., 1852)
8 Aug.: ALL who have died may be redeemed.
“What shall we say of the people who live in the 19th century? When any of the Latter-day Elders or Apostles die, and leave this world, suffice it to say, that their spirits go to that prison, and preach the Gospel to those who have died without hearing it; and every spirit shall be judged precisely as though he lived in the flesh when the fulness of the Gospel was upon the earth. This leads to the subject of the saving and redeeming powers possessed by the righteous; but we shall not have time, this morning, to treat upon it; suffice it to say, that Saviours are coming up, in the last days, upon Mount Zion.
This I say of every son and daughter of Adam; Prophets, Priests, and those that slew the Prophets, all go to prison; the Elders of this Church go there, and there continue their labours; and by and bye you will see Zion redeemed, and Saviours will come up upon Mount Zion. The faithful Elders will come, and go forward in the ordinances of God, that our ancestors, and all who have died previous to the restoration of the Gospel in these last days, may be redeemed.
Now ye Elders of Israel, when you say that John Wesley went to hell, say that Joseph Smith went there too. When you tell about Judas Iscariot going to hell, say that Jesus went there too. The world cannot see the whole of the Gospel sermon at one glance; they can only pick up a little here, and a little there. kThey that do understand it from the beginning to the end, know that it is as straight as a line can be drawn. You cannot find a compass on the earth, that points so directly as the Gospel plan of salvation. It has a place for everything, and puts every thing in its place. It divides and sub-divides, and gives to every portion of the human family, as circumstances require.
It is for us to get rid of that tradition in which we are incased, and bring up our children in the way they should go, that when they get old, they will not depart from it. It is your privilege, and mine, to enjoy the visions of the Spirit of the Lord, every one in his own order, just as the Lord has ordained it, that every man and woman may know for themselves, if they are doing right, according to the great plan of salvation. I have only touched a little of the great Gospel sermon, and the time has come that we must close our meeting; so may the Lord God of Israel bless you, in the name of Jesus. Amen.” (Brigham Young, 8 Aug., 1852; MS 15(Supplement):49, 1853)
15 Aug.: How many glories will there be in eternity?
“How many glories, and kingdoms will there be in eternity? You will see the same variety in eternity as you see in the world. For instance, you see here one class of men, who have lived according to the best light they had; you may go among the heathen, or among the Christians, it is no matter, I will call them all Christians, or all heathens, if it will accommodate anybody’s feelings, for they don’t come much short of all being heathen. We will take the best men we can find among them, when they pass through the veil they are in happiness, they are in glory, they go among the disembodied spirits; but they do not go where there are resurrected bodies, for they cannot live there; a Prohet or an Apostle cannot live there; they also go into the spiritual world, to live with the spirits. Do they commune with the Father and the Son? The Father communes with them as He pleases, through the means of angels, or otherwise the Son and the Holy Ghost. This is the situation of the Prophet, the Apostle, and all Saints before they receive their resurrected bodies; but they are looking forward to the time when they shall receive their bodies from the dust; and those that have been faithful, probably, will now soon get their resurrected bodies. Abraham has had his body long ago, and dwells with the Father and the Son, among all the Prophets and faithful Saints who received their resurrected bodies immediately after the resurrection of the Saviour; they were then prepared to enter into the Father’s rest, and be crowned with glory and eternal lives; but they were not prepared before.” (Brigham Young, 15 Aug., 1852; MS 15(Supplement):57, 1853)
15 Aug.: Resurrected beings to assist with temple work.
“By-and-by Zion will be built up; Temples are going to be reared, and the holy Priesthood is going to take effect and rule, and every law of Christ will be obeyed, and he will govern and reign King of nations as he now does King of Saints. Pretty soon you will see Temples reared up, and the sons of Jacob will enter into the Temples of the Lord. What will they do there? They will do a great many things. When you see Zion redeemed and built up–when you see the people performing the ordinances of salvation for themselves and for others, (and they will hereafter,) you will see simply this (but I have not time this morning to tell you only a little part of it): About the time that the Temples of the Lord will be built and Zion is established–pretty nigh this time, you will see, (those who are faithful enough,) the first you know, there will be strangers in your midst, walking with you, talking with you: they will enter into your houses and eat and drink with you, go to meeting with you, and begin to open your minds, as the Saviour did the two disciples who walked out in the country in days of old.
About the time the Temples are ready, the strangers will be along and will converse with you, and will inquire of you, probably, if you understand the resurrection of the dead. You might say you have heard and read a great deal about it, but you do not properly understand it; and they will then open your minds and tell you the principles of the resurrection of the dead and how to save your friends: they will point out Scriptures in the Old and New Testament, in the Book of Mormon, and other revelations of God, saying, ‘Don’t you recollect reading so and so, that saviours should come up on Mount Zion?’ &c.; and they will expound the Scriptures to you. You have got your Temples ready: now go forth and be baptised for those good people. There are your father and your mother–your ancestors for many generations back–the people that have lived upon the face of the earth since the Priesthood was taken away, thousands and millions of them, who have lived according to the best light and knowledge in their possession. They will expound the Scriptures to you, and open your minds, and teach you of the resurrection of the just and the unjust, of the doctrine of salvation: they will use the keys of the holy Priesthood, and unlock the door of knowledge, to let you look into the palace of truth. You will exclaim, That is all plain: why did I not understand it before? and you will begin to feel your hears burn within you as they walk and talk with you.
You will enter into the Temple of the Lord and begin to offer up ordinances before the Lord for your dead. Says this or that man, I want to save such a person–I want to save my father; and he straightway goes forth in the ordinance of baptism, and is confirmed, and washed, and anointed, and ordained to the blessings of the holy Priesthood for his ancestors. Before this work is finished, a great many of the Elders of Israel in Mount Zion will become pillars in the Temple of God, to go no more out: they will eat and drink and sleep there; and they will often have occasion to say–‘Somebody came into the Temple last night; we did not know who he was, but he was no doubt a brother, and told us a great many things we did not before understand. He gave us the names of a great many of our forefathers that are not on record, and he gave me my true lineage and the names of my forefathers for hundreds of years back. He said to me, You and I are connected in one family: there are the names of your ancestors; take them and write them down, and be baptised and confirmed, and save such and such ones, and receive of the blessings of the eternal Priesthood for such and such an individual, as you do for yourselves.’ This is what we are going to do for the inhabitants of the earth. When I look at it, I do not want to rest a great deal, but be industrious all the day long; for when we come to think upon it, we have no time to lose, for it is a pretty laborious work.
I have a great feeling to just let the last slide over on to some men a little. Do you think they would want to go to California to get gold, or run to the ferries, where the name of the Almighty is blasphemed, if they properly understood these things–the way of life and salvation? You will enter into the Temple of the Lord, when by-and-by here come along brothers Joseph and Hyrum Smith, for instance; for they will be perfectly capable of coming and staying over night with you, and you not know who they are. Or suppose David Patten should come along, and shake hands with some of the Twelve, and want to stay all night with them and expound the Scriptures and reveal the hidden things of God. It will not be long before this will be so.” (Brigham Young, 15 Aug., 1852; JD 6:294-296)
15 Aug.: Our sons and daughters to go to Jackson Co.
“Suppose we are ready for it, and a great Temple is built at the central point, in Jackson county;–gehtlemen, don’t be startled; for if wd don’t go back there, our sons and daughters will; and a great Temple will be built upon the consecrated spot, and a great many more besides that. The land of Joseph is the land of Zion; and it takes North and South America to make the land of Joseph. Suppose we are ready to go into the Temples of God, to officiate for our fathers and our grandfathers, for our ancestors, back for hundreds of years, who are all looking to see what their children are doing upon the earth; the Lord says, I have sent the keys of Elijah the Prophet; I have imparted that doctrine to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers; now all you children, are you looking to the salvation of your fathers? are you seeking diligently to redeem them that have died without the Gospel, inasmuch as they sought the Lord Almighty,l to obtain promises for you? for our fathers did obtain promises, that their seed should not be forgotten. O, ye children of the fathers, look at these things; you are to enter into the Temples of the Lord, and officiate for your forefathers.
Suppose we are ready to enter into the Temple, to be baptized and attend to the ordinances for one hundred of our best forefathers, and Thomas should say to John,–John, take this affair and see to it; I want to go to this ferry to make a little money; or, Joseph, you know the names of our ancestors better than I do, won’t you go and see to their salvation? I have not time myself, I want to build a bridge. James, are you ready to perform your duties for the dead? No; I want to go and keep a grocery. And you know the language that is common to such places; the name of the Lord is blasphemed, and His servants are cursed with bitter oaths.
What do you think of it, gentlemen, Elders in Israel? What would money have to do with you, if you were now upon the threshold of eternity, and eternity open to you? Would you have the spirit of apostacy as you have now? A little money is more to such persons than the salvation of all the sons and daughters of Adam. I wish I had a voice like ten thousand earthquakes, that all the world might hear, and know the loving-kindness of the Lord.” (Brigham Young, 15 Aug., 1852; MS 15(Supplement):59-60, 1853)
15 Aug.: ALL the world to share in blessings of temple.
“I am telling you things that are before me constantly. When men and women are reaching after the perishable things of this world, and will step out of the path of tudy and endanger their salvation, it has been said that it hurts brother Brigham’s feelings. It is true, and I could even weep over such; and the angels weep over us to see our foolishness–that we are so giddy-headed as to run after the fading things of the world, and set our minds and feelings upon riches, and neglect our duty in preparing ourselves for the coming of the Son of man, for the coming of the ancient and modern Apostles and Prophets, for the redemption of Zion, and the redeeming of our dear friends in every age of the world when the Priesthood was not upon the earth.
Now, the inquiry on our minds is, Are all the world going to share in these blessings? Yes, all the world. Are there none going to be lost? Are there none going to suffer the wrath of the Almighty? I can say, in the first place, as I have said all my life, where I have been preaching, I never had the spirit to preach hell and damnation to the people. I have tried a great many times–I tried last Sabbath, and I have tried to-day to come to that point–the sufferings of the wicked. They will suffer, it seems; but I cannot get my heart upon anything else only salvation for the people. All nations are going to share in these blessings; all are incorporated in the redemption of the Saviour. He has tasted death for every man: they are all in his power, and he saves them all, as he says, except the sons of perdition; and the Father has put all the creations uopn this earth in his power. The earth itself, and mankind upon it, the brute beasts, the fish of the sea, and the fowls of heaven, the insects, and every creeping thing, with all things pertaining to this earthly ball,–all are in the hands of the Saviour, and he has redeemed them all. Who is there that is out of his power? I will tell you, in the first place, he has made man an agent to himself before the Lord, with all the rest that he has ordained, that mankind shall act for themselves, think for themselves, deal for themselves. They can choose the good and forsake the evil, or cleave to the evil and neglect the light and the good, just as they choose. Life and death are placed before them, and they have the privilege of choosing life or death. If they choose death, evil, and darkness, the time will come when those who are acquainted with the power of God will deny that power, and speak against the Holy Ghost, and commit the unpardonable sin. They then throw thenselves out of the power of the Saviour, and take to themselves power, and say, ‘I will not hearken to the Lord Jesus now; I will serve whom I please, and I defy the power of the Son of God.’ They yield themselves servants to the Devil and become his angels. They are then out of the hands of the Saviour, and can never dwell in heaven, worlds without end.” (Brigham Young, 15 Aug., 1852; JD 6:296-297)
22 Aug.: How can they hope to become Kings and Priests?
“Some people talk about doing great things; but it is not a great thing to travel a little, or to preach a little. I hear some of our Elders saying, sometimes, that they are going to do great things–to be rulers in the kingdom of God, Kings and Priests to the Most High, and are again to exalt thousands of others to thrones, principalities, and powers, in the eternal worlds; but we cannot get them out of their nests, to travel a few miles here. If they cannot do this, how will they ever learn to go from world to world?” (John Taylor, 22 Aug., 1852; JD 1:19-20)
28 Aug.: Men will become Gods, have spiritual progeny.
“After men have got their exaltations, and their crowns; have become God, even the sons of God; are made King of kings and Lord of lords; they have the power then of propagating their species in spirit, and that is the first of their operations with regard to organizing a world. Power is then given to them to organize the elements, and then commence the organization of tabernacles. How can they do it? Have they to go to that earth? Yes, an Adam will have to go there, and he cannot do without Eve; he must have Eve to commence the work of generation, and they will go into the garden, and continue to eat and drink of the truits of the corporeal world, until this grosser matter is diffused sufficiently through their celestial bodies, to enable them, according to the established laws, to produce mortal tabernacles for their spiritual children.” (Brigham Young, 28 Aug., 1852; MS 15(Supplement):17, 1853)
“I expect if I am faithful with yourselves that I shall see the time with yourselves that we will know how to prepare to organize an earth like this; know how to people that earth, how to redeem it, how to sanctify it, and how to glorify it with those who live upon it who hearken to our counsel.
The Father and the Son have attained to this point already; I am on the way, and so are you, and every faithful servant of God.
One of the greatest queries on the minds of the saints, is, to understand the nature, the principle, of the foundation of our existence. To say nothing about what has been, if you will follow out that which is before you, you can learn all about it. I have a notion to tell you, though I have not time to say much about it now. I will however just tell to you the simple story relating to the exaltation of man in the celestial kingdom of God. We will take JKoseph for instance; he is faithful to his calling, has filled his mission to this earth, and sealed his testimony with his blood; he has done the work his Father gave him to do, and will soon come to the resurrection; his spirit is waiting for the resurrection of the body which will soon be; but has he the power to resurrect that body? He has not. Who has this power? Those that have already passed through the resurrection, who have been resurrected in their time and season, by some person else, and have been appointed to that authority just as you elders have with regard to your authority to baptize.
You have not the power to baptize yourselves; neither have you power to resurrect yourselves; and you could not legally baptize a second person for the remission of sin suntil some person first baptized you and ordained you to this authority. So with those that hold the keys of the resurrection to resurrect the saints; Joseph will come up in his turn, receive his body again, and continue his mission in the eternal worlds until he carries it out to perfection, with all the rest of the faithful, to be made perfect with those who have lived before, and those who shall live after; and when the work is finished, and it is offered to the Father, then they will be crowned, and receive keys and powers by which they will be capable of organizing worlds. What will they organize first? Were I to tell you, I should certainly spoil all the baby resurrection that elder Hyde and others ever preached, as sure as the world.
After men have got their exaltation, and their crowns; have become Gods, even the sons of God; are made king of kings, and Lord of Lords; they have the power then of propagating their species in spirit, and that is the first of their operations with regard to organizing a world. Power is then given to them to organize the elements, and then commence the organiaation of tasbernacles. How can they do it? Have they to go to that earth? Yes, an Adam will have to go there, and he cannot do without Eve; he must have Eve to commence the work of generation, and they will go into the garden, and continue to eat and drink of the fruits of the corporeal world, until this grosser matter is diffused sufficiently through their celestial bodies, to enable them according to the established laws to produce mortal tabernacles for their spiritual children.
This is a key for you. The faithful will become Gods, even the sons of God; but this does not overthrow the idea that we have a father. Adam is my Father, (this I will explain to you at some future time) but it does not prove that he is not my father, if I become a God; it does not prove that I have not a father.
I am on the way to become one of those characters, and am nobody in the world but Brigham Young. II never have professed to be bro. Joseph, but bro. Brigham, trying to do good to this people. I am no better, nor any more important than another man, who is trying to do good; if I am, I don’t know it. If I improve upon what the Lord has given me, and continue to improve, I shall become like those who have gone before me; I shall be exalted in the celestial kingdom, and be filled to overflowing with all the power I can wield; and all the keys of knowledge I can manage will be commmitted unto me. What do we want more? I shall be just like every other man, have all that I can, in my capacity, comprehend and manage.” (Brigham Young, 28 Aug., 1852; DN 18 Sep., 1852)
29 Aug.: Committing of sealing keys by Elijah.
“They are the sealing keys of power, or in other words, of Elijah, having been committed and restored to the earth by Elijah, the Prophet, who held many keys, among which were the keys of sealing, to bind the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers; together with all the other sealing keys and powers, pertaining to the last dispensation. They were committed by that Angel who administered in the Kirtland Temple, and spoke unto Joseph the Prophet, at the time of the endowments in that house.” (Orson Pratt, 29 Aug., 1852; JD 1:64)
29 Aug.: Two classes of beings: sealed and unsealed.
“Suppose they should enter into covenant and agreement, and conclude between themselves to live together to all eternity, and never have it sealed by the Lord’s sealing power, by the Holy Priesthood, would they have any claim on each other in the morning of the resurrection? No; it would not be valid nor legal, and the Lord would say, It was not by me; your covenants were not sealed on the earth, and therefore they are not sealed in the heavens; they are not recorded on my book; they are not to be found in the records that are in the archives of eternity; therefore the blessings you might have had, are not for you to enjoy. What will be their condition? The Lord has told us. He says these are angels; because they keep not this law, they shall be ministering servants unto those who are worthy of obtaining a more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; wherefore, saith the Lord, they shall remain singly and separately in their saved condition, and shall not have power to enlarge themselves, and thus shall they remain forever and ever.
Here, then, you can read their history; they are not Gods, but they are angels or servants to the Gods. There is a difference between the two classes; the Gods are exalted; they hold keys of power; are made Kings and Priests; and this power is conferred upon them in time, by the everlasting Priesthood, to hold a kingdom in eternity that shall never be taken from them worlds without end; and they will propagate their species. They are not servants; for one God is not to be a servant to another God; they are not angels; and this is the reason why Paul said, Know ye not, brethren, that we shall judge angels? Angels are inferior to the Saints who are exalted as Kings. These angels who are to be judged, and to become servants to the Gods, did not keep the law, therefore, though they are saved, they are to be servants to those who are in a higher condition.
What does the Lord intend to do with this people? He intends to make them a kingdom of Kings and Priests, a kingdom unto Himself, or in other words, a kingdom of Gods, if they will hearken to His law. There will be many who will not hearken; there will be the foolish among the wise, who will not receive the new and everlasting covenant in its fulness; and they never will attain to their exaltation; they never will be counted worthy to hold the sceptre of power over a numerous progeny, that shall multiply themselves without end, like the sand upon the sea shore.” (Orson Pratt, 29 Aug., 1852; JD 1:65)
29 Aug.: Initial opposition to baptisms for the dead.
“When Brother Joseph revealed the great mystery of being baptized for the dead, did not a great many of the elders of Israel think then, ‘Mormonism’ cannot endure; it will be overcome. Every item of doctrine brother Joseph has brought forth had to meet with opposition from the world.” (Brigham Young, 29 Aug., 1852. Quoted in “Pioneer Temple Building in Utah,” RS Magazine 7:660, 1920)
12 Sep.: Adultery after receiving endowments.
“The Elders should take Heed & not break the commandments of God. If they were to commit Adultery After Receiving their Endowments they cannot be forgiven but must be destroyed in the flesh & his spirit given to the Buffiting of Satan untill the first Resurrection. How long it will be from the morning till evening I am not able to say but after the day of redemption He will come forth and inherit all the Blessings that were sealed upon his head. No power can take them from him I f he has been sealed to any woman thrones powers Dominions or Kingdoms or any other Blessing. He will inherit them to all Eternity if they do not shed innocent Blood.” (Orson Pratt, speaking at funeral of Lorenzo Barnes; in Wilford Woodruff diary, 12 Sep., 1852)
12 Sep.: No ordinances may be performed in Spirit World.
“We will now speak of Brother Lorenzo D. Barnes. He was faithful but died before He received the fulness of the gospel. [Had he received his endowment?] He had no Thrones, wives or any thing els of that kind Sealed unto [him]. What shall we do for him? Any thing that we do for ourselves. When we get a temple built Such men will loose nothing for they will be Judged By the same laws that we are and they have a chance either in time or Eternity to Receive all we have. For all that would have received it here will receive it there. For all men will be Judged like men in the flesh for all mankind will have an Equal privilege.
There cannot be any Baptism Endowments or Ordinances in the Spirit world performed but we shall be called to perform in a Temple of the Lord all the ordinances for the dead the same as for the living. All things will be sealed to the End of all things preparitory to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ whether they Be appertaining to Thrones, kingdoms, families or anything Els pertaining to Earth or Heaven time or Eternity.
When we fully consider our duty we shall not be at East in Zion or spend our time to make farms & Houses orchards & vineyards for ourselves alone. But we should go to work to build up Zion & a Temple & do the great work of our God. Wo to them that are at ease in Zion but wake up & do the work of our God.” (Orson Pratt, speaking at funeral of Lorenzo Barnes; in Wilford Woodruff diary, 12 Sep., 1852)
23 Sep.: Celestial kingdom to be on this earth.
“Instead of it being a source of mourning, it would be a cause of great rejoicing to us if we could start this day on the journey to where they are. I do not know how far it is to where they dwell, but it is not very far; I will tell you my reasons for thinking so, as this is an item that has been a query in the minds of many. All the spirits organized to come into this world will be upon this Earth, and round about it, and attached to it forever and forever without end, they on it, in it, around about it, either in the body or out of the body. Good spirits and bad spirits are attached to this world until they receive their final dstination. A great many think that when they die their spirits go to the sun, or to the moon or to some of the starry worlds; our spirits are brought forth in the spirit, in the spirit world to inhabit this Earth, to take tabernacles and dwell on this Earth; they belong to it, and will be on it, and round about it from this time hence forth and forever. Those who are made partakers of the bliss and happiness to receive crowns in the Celestial Kingdom will have this Earth for their possession. What will become of the others? I do not know anything more about it.” (Brigham Young, 23 Sep., 1852; Collier, TPBY 3:121-122)
3 Oct.: Temple work following 1st resurrection.
“Will the Saints rise from the dead before the world is converted? Yes. You may despair of ever seeing all creation converted to the Lord Jesus, or to the faith of the holy Gospel. Will you see the resurrection? Yes: you will be in it, and enjoy it; you will be in the first resurrection. Will the world believe it, and know of it? They will not. Zion will be redeemed, the great Temple of the Lord will be built, whereupon the glory of the Lord will rest, and a cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night; the Saints will be gathering from all nations, and will walk into the Temples of God, to do the work of redemption for their dead, and saviours will be upon Mount Zion to save the house of Esau. But will the nations know of it? They will not. And when the Lord reigns King of nations as he does King of Saints, the inhabitants of the earth will not distrust but that it is the power of some great one, that it is the plans of wise men brought into action.
Thus they will be governed and controlled, and overruled, and led by the principles of the holy Priesthood, and they will never mistrust but that it is the doings of wise men at the head of a powerful nation, schooled in governmental affairs, who know how to control their own nation, and then bring into subjection their neighbouring nations, until the whole earth has become subject to them. They will not know that it is the Saviour who is ruling King of nations as he does King of Saints. A great portion of the inhabitants of the earth will never mistrust but that it is the effects of the wisdom of men.
The Saints will be instructed how to build up Zion, how to build temples, and do the work of redemption for their dead; and the wicked nations will know nothing about it. When the Millennium is ushered in, no man or woman will know anything about it, only by the power of God. He will rule and reign, and His glory shall be in Zion, and the wicked not know it is the hand of our God. The Saints will enjoy the light of His countenance, walk therein, and dwell in His presence.” (Brigham Young, 3 Oct., 1852; MS 16(38):594-595, 23 Sep., 1854)
6 Oct.: Can’t give all endowments legally w/o Temple.
“The first I have noted is a question,–Shall we commence to build a Temple next spring, in order that we may receive our endowments more fully? There are many in this congregation who are aware that we do not give all the endowments, neither can we, legally, until we build a Temple. Again, those parts that are already given, and will be given, in the place that we at present use [Council House?], will be given over again in the Temple, when it is finished. The endowments we now give are given merely by permission, as we have not a house in which to officiate in these ordinances of salvation, that is legal, though we have got a comfortable place, which we have dedicated to the Lord; and the brethren who go therein, know and can bear testimony whether the Spirit of the Lord is there or not.” (Brigham Young, 6 Oct., 1852; SL General Conference Minutes; MS 15(9):131, 26 Feb., 1853; also DN 16 Oct., 1852)
6 Oct.: Purpose of wall around Temple block.
“The next thing I present, is,–We want workmen; masons to erect a wall around the Temple Block. We wish to have a wall to secure the block, that when we commence the Temple we shall not be under the necessity of being thronged and overrun by spectators. A portion of the wall on the north side is already built of stone, and rises about four feet above the surface of the earth; and we anticipate placing about ten feet of adobie work upon that–the whole to be crowned with a picket fence of six feet, making the entire wall about twenty feet high above the ground.” (Brigham Young, 6 Oct., 1852; SL General Conference Minutes; MS 15(9):131, 26 Feb., 1853)
7 Oct.: Only 32 members when Kirtland Temple planned?
“Levi W. Hancock reviewed the rise of the Church. When there were but thirty-two members they were ordered to build a Temple 68 feet by 95 feet, two stories high.” (7 Oct., 1852; SL General Conference Minutes; MS 15(25):385, 18 Jun., 1853)
8 Oct.: I have had endowments in 2 temples & other places
“I haved helped to build up two temples, and have had my endowments in them, and in other places; but to have an endowment that is proper and consistent, is to have it in a temple that has been built and consecrated to that purpose.” (Heber C. Kimball, 8 Oct., 1852; JD 1:208)
8 Oct.: What shall we use to build the Temple?
“President KIMBALL presented the names of Elam Luddington, and Levi Savage, junior, to go on missions to Siam, with Chauncey West. They were present. They rose and said they were ready to start, (although thus notified for the first time.) Voted unanimously that they should go.
He then asked if we should build the Temple, of stone from Red Bute, adobies, or rock from San Pete. We can build it of the very best material, for we have union, bone, marrow, and muscle. I would like to see something nice, and our President is perfectly able to give us a design of what we want for the Saints to get all their blessings in.
He then related the visit of the ancient Prophet, to the potter in his factory, with the parable thereon, applied to the Saints. He said he was proud, and had occasion to be proud of his religion, and the Elders, the brethren and Saints, and especially when they do well.
Brethren, shall we have the Temple built of stone from Red Bute, adobies, rock, or the best stone the mountains afford?
Motioned, that we build it of the best materials that can be got in the mountains.
G. A. SMITH–If there is the best stone or the best stick of timber in the mountains, it should be offered to the Lord. If we build of the best, the Lord will open the way for it to be got; but if we build for the sake of the ordinances, it will be a drag; and if we build a splendid Temple, property and everything else will increase in proportion, the Lord will accept it, nations will revere it, and the people from the four quarters of the earth will come to receive their endowments. And motioned, that we lay the foundation of the best stone, and build upon it of the best materials that Deseret will afford.
JOHN TAYLOR–It would cost more money to build a house of stone than adobies. He showed that in England and France they fetched their stone for public buildings from a great distance, and at an immense expense. And if the Gentiles do it, in the name of God and common sense I say, we must be a poor, miserable set of beings, if we cannot do the same. We are going to receive our washings, anointings, and endowments therein. If we are cramped in our feelings in building a Temple, we should feel afraid of having cramped blessings. And seconded the last motion.
E. T. BENSON added–And the Presidency do as they please, and proceed to its completion.
President H. C. KIMBALL–‘It is motioned and seconded that we build a Temple of the best materials that can be obtained in the mountains of North America, and that the Presidency dictate where the Stone and other materials shall be obtained, and be untrammelled from this time henceforth and for ever.’
Carried unanimously.” (8 Oct., 1852, SL General Conference Minutes; MS 15(25):388, 18 Jun., 1853)
9 Oct.: We build temples for beauty, not ordinances.
“If there is the best stone or the best stick of timber in the mountains, it should be offered to the Lord. If we build of the best, the Lord will open the way for it to be got; but if we build for the sake of the ordinances and not for worth or beauty of the structure, it will be a drag; and if we build a splendid temple, property and everything else will increase in proportion, the Lord will accept it, nations will revere it, and the people from the four quarters of the earth will come to receive their endowments. He motioned, that we lay the foundation of the best stone, and build upon it of the best materials that Deseret will afford.” (George A. Smith, 9 Oct., 1852. Quoted in “Pioneer Temple Building in Utah,” RS Magazine 7:662, 1920)
9 Oct.: “Adobies are the best article to build it of.”
“But for the chemical argument touching the material for the building of a temple in this city. It has been proposed, that we send to San Pete to get the rock. Some say it will cost too much, others say we cannot do it, and others say that we can. I, not being a practical chemist, but only a chemist in theory, shall have to use my own language, to express my ideas. You may bring the stone from San Pete, which is a beautiful specimen of rock, and erect a temple here with it; then you may take this sand stone that is found in abundance in the Redbute Kanyon, and build a temple of that; then you step over to the Emigration Kanyon, and get this bastard marble, and build another of the same dimensions as that you have built of the red sand stone. Now you have got the San Pete rock temple, the red sand stone temple, and another built of lime stone, or bastard marble I call it; then, right beside of that, another one of adobies, mixed with pebbles–take that clay, and these pebble stones that are so abundant here, and mix in with them straw, and build another temple of that composition, besides the three which are built of different kinds of rock, and let them stand together–which do you think will stand the longest? Being a chemist in theory, I should say, according to my mind, when the San Pete rock is washed into the Jordan, the other buildings will still be standing, and be in moderate condition. The red sand stone will go the next, and the other two still remain, the bastard marble or lime stone will be in pretty good preservation; and when that is all decomposed and washed away into the Jordan, you will find that temple which is built of mud or adobies, as some call them, still remains, and in better condition than at the first day it was built. . . .
I mention this, because I wish the Conference to know what they are doing when they commence to build a temple of stone. As for myself, I know enough about rock. If a man should undertake to put me up a stone house, I should wish him to build it of adobies instead, and then I should have a good house. We are talking about building one for the community, and I mention this about the Capitol to show you that the rock does not endure; the moment it becomes as hard as it is ever going to be, that moment it begins to decay. It may be a slow process in growing, or decomposing, yet it is doing the one or the other continually.
I have my own individual thoughtsl, of course, and these I express with regard to the temple. According to my present views, there is not marble in these mouhtains, or stone of any kind or quality, that I would rather have a building made of than adobies. As for the durability of such a building, the longer it stands the better it becomes; if it stands five thousand years, it increases in its strength until it comes to its highest perfection, before it begins to decay. . . .
As for the temple, I will give you the nature of your vote with regard to it–the sume of it was, that those that dictate the building of it be left to do with it as they please. They will, anyhow. But I give it as my opinion that adobies are the best article to build it of.” (Brigham Young, 9 Oct., 1852; JD 1:218-220)
“He [Brigham Young] then spoke of the Temple, and the different stone from San Pete, red sandstone, and bastard marble, and adobies mixed with pebble stones and straw, and said he, the Temple made of adobies and pebbles, will be the strongest; I am talking of the durability of the building. The adobies and pebbles will petrify in five hundred years, and will do to cut into mill rocks, when the others are dissolved. Rocks are always composing and increasing in strength, or decomposing and decaying. The adoby houses will be better in fifty years, than they are the day they are finished. I give it as my opinion that the adoby wall will be the best building.” (9 Oct., 1852, SL General Conference Minutes; MS 15(25):389, 18 Jun., 1853)
16 Oct.: Stout sealed to eternal life prior to mission.
“We seal these blessings upon thy head and seal thee up to eternal life, and say no power shall take thy crown, and God shall give thee all thy heart desires. We ask our heavenly Father to acknowledge these blessings and seal them upon thee, and we will ascribe all honor and power, and glory to God and the Lamb now and for ever Amen.” (Blessing given to Hosea Stout by Wilford Woodruff, in Hosea Stout diary, 16 Oct., 1852)
17 Oct.: Prayer circle in Council House “Temple Room”.
“At 6 p.m. President Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and others met in the temple room to pray in the circle.” (JH 17 Oct., 1852)
29 Oct.: Preparation to commence temple.
“We are now preparing to commence our Temple; the wall around the Temple block is progressing, and the machine shop and machinery for sawing are in operation, the planing machine will soon be also, and we shall be able to begin upon the Temple in the spring, comparatively free from debt, and hope to prosecute the work with vigour, having on hand the shops and many facilities designed to promote that object.” (Brigham Young to Samuel W. Richards [MS Editor], 29 Oct., 1852; MS 15(7):107, 12 Feb., 1853)
31 Oct.: Endowments ended due to inferior oil.
“In consequence of the inferior oil brought by the merchants Pres. B. Young decided to quit giving endowments after this week.” (JH 31 Oct., 1852)
8 Nov.: Mutual anointings in Temple Room.
“Pres. Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards, Thos. Bullock, Wm. C. Staines, James Ure, James W. Cummings, Samuel L. Sprague, Wm. W. Phelps, each with a wife, met in the temple room. The brethren annointed each other. The wives were anointed by Sister Whitney and Snow; afterwards all partook of cakes and wine. Some spoke in tongues, etc.” (JH 8 Nov., 1852)
14 Nov.: Temple could be under roof by 1853.
“At the public meeting held in G. S. L. City this day Wm. C. Dunbar, John Taylor, Orson Hyde and Heber C. Kimball were the speakers. The later speaker suggested that if the people would turn out willingly a temple could be built and placed under roof the following fall.” (JH 14 Nov., 1852)
“Go to work, not only next spring, but now make preparations, and let us build a temple. What say you? I do not want you to say yes, unless you calculate to do it, but, as brother Joseph used to say, ‘Yankee doodle do it.’ Now go to work, and do the thing right up, and when next fall comes to pass, let us see the walls of the temple erected, and the roof on it. What say you? It is just as you say. No one man has the capacity and power to do it himself, but if you say it, and you will do it, there will be a temple next fall, with a roof upon it.” (Heber C. Kimball, 14 Nov., 1852; JD 1:357)
18 Dec.: Priesthood has ordained Kings & Priests.
“Mearly human government never Created a Prophet an Apostle an Eternal High Priest a God or A Son of God. On the other hand the Eternal Priesthood has Created worlds & peopled them with man & with all the vari[eties/ance?] of universal vegitable & animal resources. The Eternal priesthood has Elected ordained & anointed Kings & priests upon Our Earth & filled them with the spirit of wisdom knowledge power might majesty & dominion for the benefit instruction government, & exhaltation of the race of the nations of nations thus favored.” (Parley P. Pratt, speech to the Legislative Assembly, 18 Dec., 1852; in Wilford Woodruff diary, following entry of 22 Dec., 1852)