Below you will find Prince’s research excerpts titled, “Temples, 1858.” You can view other years here.
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TEMPLES, 1858.
1858: 3 Jan.: Joseph is sentinel at Celestial Kingdom.
“Well, brethren and sisters, let it be our happy lot and our ambition so to live before our God and our superiors that have gone before us, that they may take pleasure in saying to us. `Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things.’ I tell you, Joseph holds the keys, and none of us can get into the celestial kingdom without passing by him. We have not got rid of him, but he stands there as the sentinel, holding the keys of the kingdom of God; and there are many of them beside him. I tell you, if we get past those who have mingled with us, and know us best, and have a right to know us best, probably we can pass all other sentinels as far as it is necessary, or as far as we may desire. But I tell you, the pinch will be with those that have mingled with us, stood next to us, weighed our spirits, tried us, and proven us: there will be a pinch, in my view, to get past them. The others, perhaps, will say, If brother Joseph is satisfied with you, you may pass. If it is all right with him, it is all right with me.” (Orson Hyde, 3 Jan., 1858; JD 6:154-155)
5 Jan.: Instructions to Legislature on Temple clothing.
“This eving the Members of the Legislators Met at the Endowment Room & recived lectures upon clothing ourselves [in] Priestly Robes & Praying &c.” (John D. Lee diary, 5 Jan., 1858)
6 Feb.: You have been ordained Kings and Queens.
“What are we engaged in? We are engaged in building up the kingdom of God; and many of you have been ordained, by the revelations of the Almighty, to hold the power and authority of the Holy Priesthood. Besides this, you have been ordained kings and queens, and priests and priestesses to your Lord: you have been put in possession of principles that all the kings, potentates, and powers upon the earth are entirely ignorant of: they do not understand it; but you have receive this from the hands of God.” (John Taylor, “Elder John Taylor on the Rights of Mormonism,” MS 20(6):84, 6 Feb., 1858)
20 Feb.: Extracts from the Revelations of Jane Leade.
“EXTRACTS FROM THE REVELATIONS OF JANE LEADE.
(Translated from the German Edition, 1807.)
It was shown unto me that the different existing modes of worship are nothing more than Babylonian fantasies, and that an angel is commissioned from the Chief Shepherd to make known that all man-made systems of religion must pass away, like a shadow, before the brightness of a day when nothing but the power of God and the Lamb will endure.
The time is not yet come, but it is not so very far off, when the everlasting Gospel will break forth with power that nothing can withstand; and nothing that is from men will be mixed with it; for it is only those that are like children that will confide therein.
To preach this, an agency will come that will bring back all which was lost in the first Adam. How great the blessing for those that first lay their hands to the foundation of the spotless Church; and how greater still for that man who is chosen from his mother’s womb to be such a remarkable instrument in the hand of God. He will raise a mighty standard to which the dove-like spirits will flee for shelter. The trumpet of the Priesthood will be blown, and the children of bondage will hear the call to come beneath the banner of our God.
All from Abraham’s seed groan in slavery; but the Most High will raise up a Prophet that will bring His people from Babylonian witchcraft, and from the tyranny of the Prince of Darkness. Like as Moses, Joshua, and Aaron were anointed, as types, to lead the way to the rest of the promised land, even so must this Chieftain be raised up as a terror to unblievers and a joy to those who are led back to Mount Zion.
The Priesthood after the order of Melchizedek shall be brought forth, that the way to the Holy of Holies may be made known. The sign of these Priests will be the Urim and Thummim, and they will have a right to hold communion with God. And thus will man come back to the state and condition he had before the material world existed, so that he will again have a place above the angels; for to which of them hath God said ‘Thou art my son.’
THE GATHERING.
I saw an ark float through the air, as that of Noah did in ancient times over the water; but from this Ark came a voice, saying, ‘Here is a refuge from the curses that will come like another deluge upon the earth.’ Those that had a lofty degree of faith went in, and endeavoured to bring others therein also.
I was told this Ark was the Church of the gathering from all people; and it floated here and there, and the voice of a mighty angel came therefrom, saying, ‘Come from the mazes of Babylon: here is free entrance.’ Many came from the ends of the earth; and when the Ark was full, it went to a particular land, and then came back to fetch others. This land was a prepared place to plant the virgin Church, and the beloved Apostle John conducted the very last convoy therein.
Various temples were seen, where the Elders, in long, white, and shining robes, administered in ordinances and with power unknown before. Some went forth with power from this new found land; and so mighty was their testimony, that many came from all quarters to breathe its pure air, and to enjoy the light of its peculiarly clear atmosphere, which changed even the weakness of the body.
I have written this vision so far as the Spirit renews it upon my mind; but the end thereof I do not remember, as I have lost my manuscripts where it was at first written.
{We have seldom read anything more pointed or expressive of the Latter-day Work than the foregoing. It is another evidence that those who are spiritually minded, according to the light and advantages they have, can seek after God and learn of His ways–that He gaiveth liberally to all who ask wisdom of Him, and upraideth not. It is a conviction of this fact that inspired the Prophet Joseph to ask, and in answer to which he received a knowledge of the Latter-day Work and purposes of God, even before he had obeyed any outward ordinances which entitled him to the spirit of inspiration which made him a Prophet and Seer to the world. Many persons have been inspired by God to do certain works, and proclaim certain truths, who never had an opportunity of embracing the everlasting Gospel. But how much more should those possess the spirit of inspiration and prophecy who have access to God through His holy ordinances.–Ed. [S. W. Richards]}” (MS 20(8):124-125, 20 Feb., 1858)
17 Apr.: Prayer circle served to refresh memory.
“On Sunday 17 I attended meeting in the morning & the Circle in the afternoon for the purpose of refreshing of our membry on the points of the Endowment.” (David Candland diary, 17 Apr., 1858)
25 Jul.: Companies for prayer circles.
“Wilford Woodruff at President Young’s office all day. Pres. Young wished the Twelve to form companies for prayer circles to meet at the Endowment House every evening during the week.” (JH 25 Jul., 1858)
25 Jul.: Prayer circle in Isaac Haight’s house.
“[Cedar City] In the evening I [George A. Smith] attended the prayer circle, held in a upper room of Bro. [Isaac] Haight’s house, and was well pleased with the order.” (JH 25 Jul., 1858)
4 Aug.: Prayer circle in endowment room.
“I went to the endowment room & met with my Quorum in Prayer. I was sick and did not dress.” (Wilford Woodruff diary, 4 Aug., 1858)
28 Aug.: The Latter-day Israel by adoption.
“The Latter-day Saints are the people of God. They are, by adoption, the Latter-day Israel, and are headed and led by a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, whose voice is to them the word of God.” (“Uphold the Priesthood,” unsigned lead article [Asa Calkin, Editor], MS 20(35):546, 28 Aug., 1858)
12 Sep.: Room dedicated for prayer circle.
“An upper room in the Historian’s Office (Geo. A. Smith’s) new house was dedicated for the use of his prayer circle.” (JH 12 Sep., 1858)
17 Oct.: Don’t join prayer circle until reconciled.
“Afternoon, Geo. A. Smith and Wilford Woodruff preached in the Provo seminary. In the evening they went to the prayer circle and continued the investigation. They then decided that two of the brethren had better not meet until the difficulty was settled.” (JH 17 Oct., 1858)
9 Nov.: We have the true Masonry.”
At a special conference in Salt Lake City on 9 November 1858, Heber C. Kimball said the following: “We have the true Masonry. The Masonry of today is received from the apostasy which took place in the days of Solomon, and David. They have now and then a thing that is correct, but we have the real thing.” (Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 13 Nov., 1858, p. 1085; quoted in BYU Studies 15(4):458, Summer, 1975)
13 Nov.: “We have the true Masonry.”
“We do not expect that for several days to come all the Saints will be Masons, but the principle is for every man to hold each other sacred; it is so with many of us, but it should be the case with us all, especially towards our president. The Endowments are necessary to place men under obligations to God. The Covenants you make in the house of the Lord are made with the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, hence do you not see that we are only witnesses in all the Endowments. I merely speak of this to remind you of your sacred obligations. We have the true Masonry. The Masonry of the day is Received from the apostasy which took place in the days of Sol. & David. they have now and then a thing that is correct, but we have the real thing but how many comprehend it and see the propriety of being true to each other?” (Heber C. Kimball, Journal History of Brigham Young: MSS Entry for November 13, 1858, page 1085. See also BYU Studies 15(4):458 on Heber C. Kimball and Masonry.)
“The conference of the Elders of the Church which was adjourned Oct. 7th, to meet on November 13th convened this morning at 10 a.m. in the Tabernacle. . . .
[Heber C. Kimball] We do not expect that for several days to come all the saints will be masons, but the principle is for every man to hold each other sacred, it is so with many of us, but it should be the case with us all, especially towards our president. The endowments are necessary to place men under obligations to God. The covenants you made in the house of the Lord, were made with God. We were only the witnesses to the covenants you made with the father, son and Holy Ghost, hence, do you not see that we are only witnesses in all the endowments? I merely speak of this to remind you of your sacred obligations. We have the true masonry. The masonry of the day is received from the apostacy which took place in the days of Solomon and David. They have now and then a thing that is correct, but we have the real thing, but how many comprehend it and see the propriety of being true towards each other?
We are subject to jeers and prejudices; and we hear a man’s story, and judge him from that side of the house; but, after we hear the other side, we will say he has got the case. Do you not see that such is the fluctuation of your mind? If ever there was a time that men ought to be true to each other, and tehreby prove their integrity, it is today; right at this time we have what some call trials. We have entered into the order of heaven, for the express purpose of becoming saviors of men. There has got to be saviors of men, but we cannot save a man any further than we are saved ourselves, can we?” (JH 13 Nov., 1858)
15 Dec.: Brigham on Divorce.
“Geo. A. Smith called on the president to make application for a divorce in behalf of Nicholas Groesbeck from his second wife. Pres. Young said that when a man married a wife, he took her for better or for worse, and had no right to ill use her; a man that would mistreat a woman in order to get her to leave him would find himself in the worlds to come alone. He said he knew of no law to give a man in polygamy a divorce. He had told the brethren that if they would make him break the law, they should pay for it; but he did not want them to come to him for a divorce, as it was not right. He appealed to Bro. Smith, if he was not right? Bro. Smith said, ‘Pres. Young, it is with you as it was with Moses. There is no law authorizing divorce, but through the hardness of the hearts of the people, you are obliged to permit it.'” (JH 15 Dec., 1858)
17 Dec.: Brigham on Divorce.
“Jonathan Pugmire, Jr., called on Pres. Brigham Young to get a divorce. The president said, if you have drawn a red hot iron between your legs and scorched yourself, bear it without grunting, and if it smarts, grease it. It is not right for the brethren to divorce their wives the way they do. I am determined that if men don’t stop divorcing their wive, I shall stop sealing. Men shall not abuse the gifts of God and privileges of the priesthood the way they are doing. Nobody can say that I have any interest in the matter, for I charge nothing for sealing; but I do charge for divorcing. I want the brethren to stop divorcing their wives, for it is not right. I do not want to grant divorces.” (JH 17 Dec., 1858)
First and second anointings.
“Passing through the veil into the “Celestial glory” ends the first anointing. . . .arrived at this point, the candidate, is prepared to proceed to the second anointing. This I have never received, and for various reasons, not the least of which was, that very few have received this as yet, and not until the new temple at Salt Lake City if finished. I had also heard hinted, that the “second anointing” was administered without clothing of any kind; and more over as will be seen hereafter, I had reason to doubt somewhat though not entirely to discard Mormonism.” (Lambert Collection Ettie Smith, 1858; University of Utah. Bergera collection.)