Below you will find Prince’s research excerpts titled, “Temples, 1867.” You can view other years here.
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TEMPLES, 1867.
1867: 1 Jan.: George Q. Cannon 2nd anointing.
“We then went to the Endowments House. The Presidency & 8 of the Twelve were present. George Quail Cannon & 3 wives obtained their second Anointing Presidet Young being mouth.” (Wilford Woodruff diary, 1 Jan., 1867)
2 Jan.: 2d anoint.: Only 1 man/wives in 1 day at 1 place.
“I met with the Presidency & 8 of the Twelve & Joseph F Smith Joseph A Young & Brigham Young Jr dressed & Prayed The Presidt Brigham Young gave his son Joseph A. Young his second anointing. It was decided by Presidet Young that we dress & offer up the signs of the Holy Priesthood before we give the 2d anointing & ownly anoint one man & his wives in one day at one place.” (Wilford Woodruff diary, 2 Jan., 1867) [NOTE THAT LATER ENTRIES THAT YEAR SHOW THAT SEVERAL MEN RECEIVED 2ND ANOINTINGS ON THE SAME DAY, BUT ALWAYS IN DIFFERENT PLACES]
4/5 Jan.: “What would come before me on the morrow?”
“4th: At dark arrived in G.S.L. City. Was received by Mrs. W. H. Hooper. Several calls to make for the necessary garments tomorrow. Retired late, wondering what would come before me on the morrow.
5th: Morning early, Hattie, Nellie and myself found our way through the Temple Block to the Endowment House. Oh, merciful Lord what wonderful blessings Thou, in Thy mercy, have given unto us. What volumes I have seen and heard this day. How dark and uncertain are the ways of the ungodly world. Pres. Heber C. Kimball sealed Hattie and I to be husband and wife through time and all eternity. Left the House completely full.” (Wilson Howard Dusenberry diary, 4/5 Jan., 1867; in Our Pioneer Heritage, 1:243, 1958)
6 Jan.: Assignments for giving 2nd anointings.
“While at Presidents Youngs House in the Evening for Prayer He divid[ed] the Twelve in 3 Companies to attend to the second Anointings. Lorenzo Snow, C. C. Rich & G. Q. Cannon was to meet at Presidet Youngs. H. C. Kimball D. H. Wells O Hyde J Taylor E. T Benson & Erastus Snow was to meet at the Endowment House. W. Woodruff & G. A. Smith was to meet at the Historians office to attend to the Anointing in the Prayer Circle Room.” (Wilford Woodruff diary, 6 Jan., 1867)
7 Jan.-14 Aug.: Woodruff’s experience w/2nd anointings.
After attending four second anointings, one each on 1, 2, 3 and 4 Jan., Woodruff and George A. Smith administered 2nd anointings on almost a daily basis from 7 Jan.-8 Apr., on a total of 73 different days. Woodruff does not record why they stopped on 8 Apr., although from 22 Apr.-15 May he accompanied Brigham and others on a tour of Southern Utah. Woodruff resumed giving 2nd anointings on 3 Jun. (without explaining the reason for the resumption), and continued on nearly a daily basis until 14 Aug., on a total of 62 different days. One of these was 16 Jun., a Sunday, and the only Sunday on which Woodruff recorded having given the ordinance. He gave no reason in his diary for the cessation of the ordinance on 14 Aug. On many of these days he and Smith administered the ordinance twice, once each at two separate meetings. Woodruff later recorded giving anointings on 21 & 28 Sep., 2, 8, 11 & 12 Oct., 11 Nov., 7, 13, 24, 30 & 31 Dec., 1867; 11 Apr., 5 May, 2 Aug., 8 & 9 Oct., 1868.
7 Jan.: Three 2nd anointings in different places.
“I met at the Historians Office at 12 oclok. Dressed & Prayed. W. Woodruff Prayed. G. A. Smith was mouth. Then W. Woodruff Anointed Joseph W. Young and his wives to their second anointing. Wm H Folsom and his two wives were Anointed at the Endowment House By Heber C. Kimball, And Albert Carrington and his two wives received his second Anointing at Presidets Youngs Hosue under the Hands of Presidt Youngs.” (Wilford Woodruff diary, 7 Jan., 1867)
“Historian’s upper room . . .
Wilford Woodruff then anointed Joseph Watson Young and his wives Lurana & Julia above named.” (Historian’s Office Journal, January 9, 1872 to July 4, 1874, first entry, Church Records, Archives, HDC)
9 Jan.: How to handle no-shows for 2nd anointings.
“G A. Smith Conversed with Presidet Young & he told him to take any of the persons on the list to anoint when others notifyed did not Come.” (Wilford Woodruff diary, 9 Jan., 1867)
24 Jan.: 2nd anointing for dead wife.
“I met G A Smith & others at the Historians office & W Woodruff Anointed Robert La[ne?] Campbell & 4 wives to there second anointing. One was dead.” (Wilford Woodruff diary, 24 Jan., 1867)
9 Feb.: Kesler 2nd anointing.
“Br. W Woodruff Notified me in person that I could receive my 2nd anointing on Saturday Feb. 9th at 2 ocl P.M. Accordingly I sent to my wives Emeline & Abigail. According they arrived on Friday afternoon at my Residency in the city.
9th Saturday all being Ready we proceeded to the Historian’s Office & there Received in Regular Order My 2nd anointing & Blessings also my Wives Emeline Jane Elizabeth & Abigail all there in Regular Order with there Blessings….Br. George A. Smith & Woodruff officiated. Br. Smith being mouth.” (Diary of Frederick Kesler, Sr., No. 3, pp. 155-56; Univ of Utah Lib; February 9, 1867. Bergera collection.)
25 Feb.: Instructions regarding 2nd anointings.
“At a meeting at the Mayer’s [Mayor’s?] room today, Wilford Woodruff anointed Chas. T. Jones and wife to their second anointing. At an interview with Pres. Young he told Bro. Woodruff to anoint but one man and his wives at any one meeting. If any other women were anointed to appoint a meeting for that purpose. Two separate meetings may be held for that purpose on the same day.” (JH 25 Feb., 1867)
26 Feb.: Two separate 2nd anointings in one place OK.
[After two separate Second Anointing meetings, one at 2 P.M. and the other at 4 P.M., Wilford Woodruff records:] “it was the mind of Presidt Young that we should not anoint ownly one man & his family at one meeting. if any other women are to be anointed to another man it must be a separate meeting, there may [be] two meetings in a day at one place.” (Wilford Woodruff diary, 26 Feb., 1867)
8 Apr.: Endowments within three months of baptism.
“They receive more in the House of the Lord now than is their due. Our Brethren and sisters, baptized three, four, or six months ago, go and get their endowments, the sealing blessings for all eternity, the highest that can be conferred upon them, yet how lightly they are treated! Many do not consider, they do not realize these things. They have not the spirit of revelation, they do not live for it, hence they do not see these things in their proper light, and we are not in such a hurry as many think we ought to be.” (Brigham Young, JD 11:372, 8 Apr., 1867)
6 May: Salvation not complete until sealing revealed.
“J Taylor G A. Smith & W Woodruff left St George & drove to Washington to Hold a Meeting. Prayer by W Woodruff. G A Smith Spok 30 M[in] W Woodruff 30 & John Taylor 27. He said that while we were made acquainted with the Early principles we were not prepared to be saved with a full and Complete Salvation untill the sealing for time and Eternity was revealed. Untill that time No one ha[d/s?] Claim upon husband wife or Child.” (Wilford Woodruff diary, 6 May, 1867)
7 Jun.: 2nd anointings for dead.
“G A Smith met at 8 oclok & gave Edward Stephanson his second anoing we also met at 2 oclok W Woodruff gave John Murdock & 1 Living wife & 3 dead ones their 2d Anontg.” (Wilford Woodruff diary, 7 Jun., 1867)
30 Jun.: Reminiscence of first baptisms for dead.
“When I first heard Joseph Smith enunciate the principle of baptism for the dead, and the method of administering it, I was astonished that no person had ever thought of that before, it was so plainly laid down in the Scriptures. The principle of acting by proxy was just as plain to me as the noon-day sun the moment it was explained to me, but I never thought of it until that time. When I heard these principles my heart lepaed for joy, and although I was not a praying man I prayed inwardly that whatever else I might do, I might never be left to deny the principles of truth which the prophet was revealing. That was the inward conviction of my soul. Still I did not join the Church, and I did not know that I ever would; I was not fully satisfied. Some things were made very manifest to me, others I could not comprehend. He preached a funeral sermon once, in which the doctrine of eternal judgment was dwelt upon considerably; this I received, and many a time in Council have I heard him develop the principle so plainly that it would have been a sin against light and knowledge for me to have rejected it, therefore I treasured it up in my own heart. Many and many a time he would go right along developing principle without ever alluding to the Scriptures, while my own knowledge of them would bring passage after passage to my mind in corroboration of that which he was advancing.
When he said it was the privilege of the Latter-day Saints to be baptized for their dead, I remembered the words of Paul, ‘Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?’ and when he spoke upon the principle of preaching to the spirits in prison, it flashed acrosee my mind, as quick as lightning, that the Savior did that between the time of His crucifixion and resurrection. The analogy of the thing struck me with such force that I could not get it out of my mind. And so scripture after scripture and testimony after testimony come to my mind, proving that the principles he advanced were true. But had I ever thought of them, or had the Christian world for ages? No, not until Joseph revealed them. The Catholics, even for praying for the deliverance of the dead from purgatory, were scouted and ridiculed, yet this principle of administering for the spirits in prison was unfolded to my mind, and in and of itself was great and glorious. Said I, if they who were disobedient could be administered to by the Savior of the world, how much more reasonable is it to suppose that they can be administered for, who have not been disobedient, but who have died without a knowledge of the gospel? This seemed reasonable and consistent to me, and the principle was sustained by the Scriptures of divine truth which I had been taught to believe from my youth up. When the apostle used the expression–‘If the dead rise not, then why are ye baptized for the dead,’ he was instructing the Church at Corinth on the principle of the resurrection, some of them apparently having been embued with the doctrine of the Sadducees who denied the resurrection of the dead. I saw the reason and propriety of the expression. I never had comprehended it before; I did not know God, nor His Son Jesus Christ, nor the relationship that we, His children, bear to Him. That is the condition of the Christian world at the present day. They do not comprehend God, themselves, their past, nor their future.” (Daniel H. Wells, 30 Jun., 1867; JD 12:73-74)
21 Jul.: Grateful Nauvoo Temple was destroyed.
“While brother Henry W. Lawrence was talking about the Temple in Nauvoo, I felt to echo the sentiment I have heard expressed by President Young respecting that Temple. I am glad it is destroyed; I am glad that it was burned and purified by fire from the pollution our enemies inflicted upon it, and I am glad there is nothing of it left; and I would prefer that this Temple in course of erection here, should never be completed, and that we should never build another, than to see those holy places built by God’s commands, pass into the hands of our enemies and be defiled by them.” (George Q. Cannon, 21 Jul., 1867; JD 19:204)
30 Jul.: John Lyman Smith 2nd anointing.
“Tuesday 30 Saw Pres. Young by Direction of Pres. Young informed Bro. Geo. A that he wish him to give me my 2nd anointing at 10 o clock I met with the circle & received the same this was an unexpected blessing to me, I pray I may never act so as to deprive me of the Blessings promised.” (John Lyman Smith Diary, pp. 166-67; Mss 680, BYU Spec Coll; July 30, 1867. Bergera collection.)
4 Aug.: “For every good man and woman that ever lived.”
“I recollect when I first joined the Church a certain Elder making this assertion–that all had gone out of the way; the question was asked him, ‘Do you suppose that John Wesley is damned and in hell?’ ‘Yes,’ said he, ‘he is weltering with the damned in hell.’ It was one of the most unwise expressions that could be made, and the man who made it was as ignorant as Henry Ward Beecher who has said that ‘to be born was the greatest misfortune that could befall man.’
John Wesley is just as happy as he can be, or as he ever anticipated; but he is not with the Father and the Son, nor ever will be unless the ordinances are administered for him, and they will be by and by.
Do you recollect what Brother Macdonald said this morning about redeeming the dead? By and by when the world is subject to the law of Christ and we can build temples to the Lord, the responsibility of redeeming the dead will rest upon us. Then, if you and I do not, our children will enter the temples of the Lord and go through all the ordinances for every good man and woman that ever lived on the earth who have died without the privilege of hearing the gospel.
I have detained you long enough, and have talked long enough. May God bless you.”
(Brigham Young discourse, 4 Aug., 1867; in UHQ 29(1):76, Jan., 1961)
24 Aug.: Brigham’s concept of Jackson Co. Temple.
“President Young said his views of the great Temple in Jackson Co Mo. was that there would be 12 Temples surrounding a square & the square would be for a Great Tabernacle for the People while the Temples would be for giving Endowments & there would be doors out of Every Temple for the Priesthood (who labored in the Temples), to go into the Tabernacle to teach the People & Prepare them for the Endowments.” (Wilford Woodruff diary, 24 Aug., 1867)
17 Sep.: Luman Shurtliff 2nd anointing.
“This fall I was called to go to Salt Lake City with my wives to get our second anointings. We left home on the 16th of September and it was the rainiest day I had seen for years and it truly seemed that the Devil was determined to prevent our going, however we got started about one o’clock p.m. and got into the city at daylight on the 17th of September.
We went to the Endowment House and Heber C. Kimball and D. H. Wells officiated in giving us our second anointings. My wife, Melissa, stood proxy for my wife, Eunice, and then Melissa, and Mary received their blessings.
After the services we had a very pleasant visit with our Brethren and went home thankful that we had lived and been considered worthy to receive that blessing.” (Journal of Luman A. Shurtliff, p. 79; Typescript in the possession of Dr. Mark M. Lewis, M.D.; September 17, 1867. Bergera collection.)
Sep.: Invited to have second anointings.
“In September [1867] my baby took sick and died. I thought that was more than I could bear. But we cannot stay the hand of death for it comes to all, so I lived and trusted in the Lord for comfort. A week after my baby died President Young sent for my husband and his wives to come and have their second anointings.” (Hannah Hood Hill Romney autobiographical sketch; in Our Pioneer Heritage, 5:266, 1962)
2 Oct.: Lorenzo Brown 2nd anointing.
“October 2 Went with wife to President B Youngs Mansion to receive our blessings or second anointings which is a fullness of our endowments. President E Snow presided assisted by Robert Garner John M Moody F. B. Wooley J W Crosby assisting.” (Lorenzo Brown Diary; Mor/M270.1/B8142/V.2/BYU Spec Coll; October 2, 1867. Bergera collection.)
6 Oct.: Peter, James and John visited Kirtland Temple.
“We have built this house [SL Tabernacle] to worship God; and now our duty is to prepare ourselves for the blessings to be obtained in the Temple by building one, and building it in purity of heart and sincerity of soul, as the Temple of Kirtland was reared in the midst of privation and poverty. When that building was dedicated, it was visited by Peter, James and John, and by hundreds of angels, who were seen of many.” (Heber C. Kimball, Semi-Annual General Conference, 6 Oct., 1867; DN 16(40):313, 9 Oct., 1867)
7 Oct.: Visible manifestation of God to attend SL Temple.
“He [Orson Pratt] had no doubt but the angels of God were in and around this Tabernacle [this was the first conference held in the newly-constructed Tabernacle], for the labors of the people in building it to worship God were surely accepted by Him. When the Temple shall be raised to His name, His glory will there be made visibly manifest; and the blessings which we now enjoy and those which await us are preparatory to the still greater blessing of seeing the Lord face to face.” (Orson Pratt, Semi-Annual General Conference, 7 Oct., 1867; DN 16(40):314, 9 Oct., 1867)
7 Oct.: Why do infants die?
“Now, there is a question that has often been asked of me by the Latter-day Saints, and by those outside of this Church–‘Why is it that infants, who have never sinned, should die? Why should they be subject to death because their father some six thousand years ago sinned and transgressed?’ I answer this by asking you a question, Why is it that children, oftentimes to the third, fourth and fifth generation, suffer from lingering diseases here in this life, because their forefathers were licentious, and broke the laws of life and happiness? Why, it is hereditary, is it not? Is it just that they should suffer, because their parents or some of their progenitors have sinned? No, it is hereditary. Why, then, may not all the inhabitants of the world, whether in their infancy or not, inherit death as well as these children who suffer through diseases entailed upon them by their forefathers? Not as a matter of justice particularly, but something that comes upon them in consequence of the fall of man. It is handed down among them. Now, that would be a very unpleasant condition if they were always to remain in that state. They are plunged into slavery, as it were, by one man; hence the Redeemer steps forth and rescues them from that slavery. When I say rescues them, I do not say that he does it at once, before they have had a chance to know the difference between good and evil, between the bitter and the sweet, to contrast between happiness and misery. It is wisdom that they should suffer, even should it be from hereditary disease, that they may gain experience. But I will tell you what he rescues them from, by his atoning blood. He breaks the bands of death and rescues them from the power of the grave, which, but for that, would have held the infant as well as the middle-aged in their power eternally. There is such a thing as a father, through his foolishness, plunging not only himself but all his children into a slavery from which he cannot redeem himself or them, so far as their bodies are concerned; but with Adam’s children this was the case with both their bodies and spirits, for the Book of ‘Mormon’ says that all mankind, through Adam’s transgression, became subject not only to a temporal death–the separation of the body and spirit, but also to a spiritual death, eternal in its nature. If there were no atonement–no sufferings and death of our Redeemer–no infinite atonement to rescue men from the grave, their spirits, in consequence of the slavery entailed upon them by their first parents, could not have been rescued from eternal death. Could they have delivered themselves? No. They were in captivity–slavery–and their master, the devil, was there to bind them in that slavery. Could they turn the key of the prison doors and run back again? No! Could they say to the grave, Yield up my body and let me go again into the presence of my Father and God? No; there were potent enemies who had endless power over them had it not been for the atonement.” (Orson Pratt, 7 Oct., 1867; JD 19:317-318)
7 Oct.: Few have received fulness of blessings.
“The people have built this tabernacle, and we have got to build the temple. If the inhabitants of Zion felt the lack, weight and blessings of the most high God that are within their reach, there is not a man in Israel who would refuse for one moment to do anything in his power to further the building of the temple. God designs to bestow the blessings of heaven upon the Latter-day Saints. There are very few in Israel who have received the fulness of the blessings of the kingdom of God, while there are thousands, probably, who are worthy to receive them. We must have a temple in order to bestow these blessings.” (Wilford Woodruff, 7 Oct., 1867; DN 16(52):410, 5 Feb., 1868)
9 Oct.: Reluctance to translate endowment for foreigners.
“I was particularly interested just now in listening to the remarks of Bro. Van Cott [1st Council of 70], and I thought while he was speaking that a part of his remarks came very near hitting me. I have had some little experience with our Danish brethren and sisters in the Endowment House, and have felt sometimes, perhaps, when a little impatient, that it was but little use for them to come to get their endowments when they did not understand more than half a dozen words in the English language, and consequently were unable to make their wants known; but I am willing to accept the explanation given by Bro. Van Cott, and I think, that in the future I shall be more cautious in saying that it is useless for those who do not understand the English language to partake of the ordinances of the House of the Lord. Still I think it is highly desirable for our foreign brethren and sisters to learn the English language so far as to be able to understand the counsels of the servants of God; for though the gift of interpretation may occasionally be given, as in the case referred to by Bro. Van Cott, yet I think it is by no means a common occurrence. I have no doubt that English is very difficult to be learned by those who are advanced in years, for its construction, sounds and accents are very different from almost any other language; still it is quite possible for nearly all to learn it so that they can understand it when they hear it spoken if they cannot learn to speak it.” (Joseph F. Smith, 9 Oct., 1867; DN 17(2):10, 19 Feb., 1868)
12 Oct.: 2nd anointings in Historian’s Office.
“I was quite unwell with a severe cold in my lungs but went to the Historian’s office & attended 2nd Anointing of (Rosetta Benbow) then went to Endowment House & gave endowments to 32. I sealed my son Wilford Woodruff, Jun & Emily Jane Smith in the bonds of matrimony over the alter according to the order of God.” (Journal of Wilford Woodruff; October 12, 1867. Bergera collection.)
2 Dec.: Brigham moves to reestablish School of Prophets.
“Presidet Young met this Morning in the Council House with the Twelve, his Councellors, the Bishops & many others & opened the school of the Prophets By remarks a prayer & an Address. Spoke of the first Esstablishment of the school of the Prophets By the Prophet Joseph himself. He wished the School now renewed. Brother D. O. Calder was appointed to take Charge of a Class to study Book keeping & Commercial Business[,] George Taylor to take Charge of Geography & Grammar Classes. Many Excellet remarks were made By President Young & others.” (Wilford Woodruff diary, 2 Dec., 1867)
16 Dec.: School of Prophets: Adam-God taught.
“I Spent the day at home But I met with the school of the Prophets in the Evening at the City Hall. This school was organized on the 9 Dec 1867 in the City Hall. President Brigham Young was appointed Presidet Heber C. Kimball & Daniel H Wells vice Presidents. E. L. Sloan was appointed Secretary & Paul A. Shetler Treasurer.
President Young spoke of the first organization of this school By Joseph Smith the Prophet. The word of wisdom was given in this school. Presidet Young said Adam was Michael the Ark angel & he was the Father of Jesus Christ & was our God & that Joseph taught this Principle.
Presidet Young D. H. Wells & G A Smith Addresed the school on the 9 & on the 13 Presidt Young H C. Kimball & Joseph F Smith Addressed the School. The revelation Called the olive leaf was read & remarks made upon it By President Young. O Pratt also spoke.” (Wilford Woodruff diary, 16 Dec., 1867)