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TEMPLES, 1886.
1886: 3 Mar.: Polygamy and highest degree of Celestial Kingdom.
“The doctrine of plural marriage, as believed in by the Latter-day Saints, is derived from a revelation given by the Almighty through Joseph Smith, on the eternity o the marriage covenant. From this they have learned the means by which they can secure for everlasting ages, that companionship between the sexes which God has ordained for the comfort, happiness, increase and highest good of His sons and daughters in this world.
Marriage is a divine institution. It should be under divine direction. Human arrangements of whatever name or nature, made without divine sanction or authority, have an end when men are dead. They do not enter into the divine economy for the world to come. They are all temporary. They are for this life, not for the next. Contracts of marriage made until death are dissolved by death. That is, they have answered their purpose and the death of either party ends the agreement.
If a man and a woman enter into a contract of marriage to last forever, with the agreement that it shall not cease with death, without authority from the Most High it is of no force or virtue beyond this life, because the parties have no authority to make such an arrangement of themselves. They have no power to regulate affairs in another sphere. They do not know where their dwelling place shall be, or whether they will ever meet again when death parts them. They are in the hands of a Power superior to their own, who holds control and will order all things according to eternal principles. Only that which God appoints in His own way is recognized of Him beyond the limits of mortal life. He holds the keys of eternal existence and of the glories of immortality. What He authorizes will abide. All authorities, covenants and agreements which are not of Him will be destroyed and pass away, while that which He establishes will endure for ever.
Adam and Eve were joined as an immortal pair. If death parted them it was but for a season. The separation was not a sundering of the marriage bond. The restoration, which is part of the work of redemption, brought them back to their position as in Eden with their experience added. Nothing was lost. Their wedded union was perpetual and remains a never-ending joy. They were made ONE by the divine fiat and will nevermore be twain forever.
Authority to act for and in behalf of Deity has been conferred upon some men in different ages. All that is done under that authority according to divine direction is recognized by Him who bestowed it, and is as valid as though performed by Deity in person. ‘Whoso receiveth you receiveth me,’ is the promise of the Lord. ‘Whatsoever you seal on earth is sealed in heaven,’ is the divine guaranty. Ordinances which God has appointed, when administered in His name by those whom he has authorized, are of the same force and effect as if God had attended to them Himself.
Marriage for eternity must be entered into and solemnized and sealed according to the laws and commandments ordained for that purpose. If not, it is not recognized of heaven. Why should it be? Why should the Eternal Father acknowledge in eternity that which he has not authorized in time? Must He bend to human arrangements and human whims, or must humanity bow to His behests? In the revelation on this subject it is shown how eternal marriages may be solemnized so that they shall be acknowledged of the heavens, in this world and in the world to come. If attended to by the authority revealed in the way provided for the purpose, they will not be affected by death but will extend to all eternity in all spheres, in all worlds, in all glories and exaltations among eternal beings, unto the celestial habitat, where reign in everlasting splendor the highest and most holy intelligences of the univers. There death never enters and, there there is no end to increase, and power, and dominion, and infinite felicity.
The celestial glory, which is the greatest, as the sun is the greatest luminary to us in the firmament, is an immortal estate of families. Men and women and children are there perfected. Not divested of any faculty of their bodily or spiritual organism, but with every attribute, and quality, and instinct, and organ purified, perfected and immortalized. The wife is a wife, the husband a husband to all intents and purposes. Each glorified man stands at the head of his house or family, as a King and a Priest unto God, and the Father, ruling over all things through the Savior Son, stands at the head of all. In that glory the man who married a wife by the word and law of God, sealed to him by the Holy Spirit of promise through the keys of authority bestowed for that purpose, receives that wife to his bosom and his society. If death parted them in this world, it will not part them there. If after her death he married another, by the same law and ordinance and authority, both are his and will have their rights and their places in that eternal family organization.
On the same rule, if he marries more than one wife by God’s authority and they live with him, as his, at the same time in this world, and he remains worthy of them, they will all be his wives in the world to come, and be a part of his glory for ever and ever. Man is ‘the image and glory of God,’ and ‘woman is the glory of man.’ Without her there is no increase, and without increase, glory and dominion cease to extend and that everlasting progress which is essential to perfect existence would come to an end.
Plurality of wives, as revealed to the Saints, is part of the plan of eternal exaltation by which men and women attain to the highest degree of glory in the eternal presence. It has been commanded of God to those who are prepared for it by previous obedience to gospel lasw and ordinances. It is not for the world. ‘It is a law unto my Holy Priesthood, saith the Lord.’ It is a test and an ordeal both to men and women. It tries them like the gold is tried in the fire. Not all who enter into it will gain the glory which belongs to faithful obedience to its conditions. Only those who prove their worthiness will attain to the great exaltation. And the highest of all is not open to those who have not thus demonstrated their fitness for it. All blessings promised are predicated upon conditions. Every law has its benefits and penalties. Obedience assures the reward, disobedience the punishment. Strait is the gate and narrow the way that leads to the exaltation of the eternal lives, and few there be that find it. It is God’s way, and blessed are those who walk therein and endure unto the end. If a man who has received wives in the new and everlasting covenant wants to hold them in eternity, he must prove his worthiness in time. The bonds of affection and the esteem that comes of righteousness and fidelity, are needful as wwell as the ties of the ceremonial ordinance. All are essential, and the simple ceremony without the worthiness and the real union of souls is insufficient.
A man and his wives, given to him of the Lord, who manifest their fitness for the holy and exalted spheres where the fulness of glory is enjoyed, may smile at the crosses of this world, the fury of man, the persecutions of the wicked, the vengeance of human laws and the grasp of inexorable death. Those wives are his forever. The covenants that bind them together are eternal. They are to bear the souls of men in eternity wherein he and his Eternal Father are glorified. Through them is ‘the continuation of the seeds forever.’ And therein is everlasting dominion and power, of the increase of which there shall be no end.
We have heard of a notion that the plurality part of the celestial marriage order is only for temporary purposes, to serve for this life but not to continue beyond. Let anyone who has imbibed it read the revelation and it will be dissipated for good. Without the eternity of the relationship there is nothing in it. The doctrine of plurality of wives is based on the eternity of the marriage covenant. They stand or fall together. They are interwoven and a part of the same fabric. If the first wife is sealed to a man for eternity so is the second and all others who are so given to him of the Lord. Marriage for time is another thing entirely. And the marriage for eternity, in which a plurality of wives is permitted and enjoined, is everlasting in its nature for the last as much as the first, and is designed for perpetuity, or the whole revelation is without force and effect.
It is because of the eternal, religious and divine nature of the covenants which bind men and women together in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that they are so tenacious of their obligations and are willing to suffer imprisonment and spoliation rather than dishonor them. Force is a poor weapon to employ against them. It is unworthy of the age in which we live, and will fail to accomplish the end designed. A few will falter and bow the knee to Baal. But those who know the value of their covenants and understand that no man, spirit, devil, clique, nation or power beneath the heavens can rob them of that which God has given them, nor sunder the ties that bind them and their families for ever, will suffer all things that bigotry can invent and malice inflict, before they will deny the truths of heaven or render themselves unworthy of the love and confidence of those whom God has sealed to them forever, and of Him who knows all hearts and will judge all according to their works.
The eternity of the marriage covenant, including the plurality of wives, is one of the most glorious doctrines ever revealed to mortal man. It enters within the veil; it manifests the works of the Almighty and His wonderful purposes; it unveils the glories of the universe; it shows man his relationship to Deity; it opens his eyes to his eternal destiny; and it places within his rech the keys by which he may unlock the treasures of wisdom and knowledge and enter into the exaltation of the Gods, wherein is might and majesty, and joy and increase, and pleasure and delight for evermore.” (Editorial, “The Eternity of the Marriage Covenant,” DN 35(7):102, 3 Mar., 1886)
4 Mar.: 2nd anointings for the dead.
“March 4, 1886
Mrs. Eliza Perry Benson
Logan Temple
Dear Sister:
Your letter asking the priviledge of 2nd anointing for your parents John Perry and Grace Williams Perry who are deceased, has been received.
You are at liberty to have them officiated for and receive their 2nd Anointings; but those who officiate for them must be those who have already had that sacred ordinance.
By presenting this to Bro. M. W. Merrill he will have the Ordinance attended to.
Very respectfully,
John Taylor”
(John Taylor (#110). Letter book #11, Mar 1886 Oct 1887 Ltr dtd March 4, 1886. Bergera collection.)
Mar.: Qualifications for temple recommend.
“We are pleased to be able to report that the Lord is abundantly blessing the labors of the brethren and sisters engaged in the performance of ordinances pertaining to the Temples of our God; and a great work is being done therein in the interest of both the living and the dead. We have been pained, however, to learn that in some few instances, either through misunderstanding, carelessness, or partiality, recommends have been given to unworthy persons. This is a grave error–one that should be guarded against with every possible care. The Bishops and Presidents of Stakes should take every precaution that the House of the Lord is not defiled by the intrusion of the unworthy through their recommendation. We strongly advise more caution and greater care in this regard. To the Saints we say that those who desire the blessing of entering into and officiating in these houses dedicated to the Most High should render themselves worthy thereof. They should live in harmony and peace at home, they should settle all their differences before attempting to enter this holy place, which should be a house of peace, a hoiuse of order. They should pray with their families morning and evening, and not neglect secret prayer; they should honestly pay their debts to all men, and not only to man, but remember also that which is due, as tithes and offerings, to the Giver of all. They should observe the Word of Wisdom in the spirit and meaning thereof, for it is most inconsistent to carry the smell of whiskey and tobacco into the sacred precincts of the Lord’s House. Or in a word, they should observe to do and to keep all God’s holy laws and commandments, that when they enter His House they can enjoy that spirit which gives zest, power and efficacy to their administrations.” (Epistle of the First Presidency, March, 1886. Quoted in Clark, Messages of the First Presidency 3:63)
4 Apr.: Word of Wisdom and Temple Recommends.
“Though we have a Temple in the St. George Stake, and perhaps on that account ought all to be exemplary, there are some in that part who fail to pay their tithing and live up to their other duties, but on the whole they will compare with the people in other parts of the Territory. For people to be unfaithful and then expect to be admitted to the Temples to partake of all the blessings to be obtained therein is unreasonable. It has been said that persons who fail to keep the Word of Wisdom should not be so admitted, but it has not been usual thus far to exclude persons for their failure to observe that law.” (John D. T. McAllister, General Conference Minutes, 4 Apr., 1886; DN 35(13):199, 14 Apr., 1886)
8 Apr.: Murals in the temples.
“April 8th 1886
Elder Wm H. Folsom,
Supt. Manti Temple,
Dear Brother:
We are in receipt of your letters of the 5th and 6th inst. and have persued with interest the condition of the work on the Temple.
Respecting the painting and other ornamentations of the Temple at St. George and Logan my recollection is not sufficiently distinct, it having been some tine since I saw them, to make any particular suggestions to you upon the subject. However, it is important that Brother Weggeland be impressed to so arrange the painting in the Garden that the Tree of Life will be convenient for the purpose for which it is used, and that the whole scenery be arranged so that the person at the Altar in giving his lecture can make convenient reference to the various objects. Complaint has been made respecting these points at Logan and before painting the Garden at Manti some one of experience who is familiar with the work and the giving of lectures in the Garden should be consulted as to the proper position for everything to be placed in with reference to the Altar and the Cherubim &c.
We have no objection to the employment of Bros Weggeland and Morris. Enclosed please find a permit for you to go to the Temple at Logan.
By applying to Brother James Jack he will give you an order for 2000 bushels of wheat on Bp’s Agent George Farnsworth–for $500.00 on the Provo Factory–$500.00 on Z. C. M. I. and $1000.00 on Washington Factory on Manti Temple account.
With kind regards,
Your Brother,
John Taylor.”
(John Taylor to Elder Wm. H. Folson, 8 Apr., 1886; Bergera 1992 collection)
ca. Apr.: My mother sealed to Aunt Jane’s husband.
“During my absence I have learned many principles of the Gospel pertaining to both the living and the dead. I have done the temple work for my mother. She has been baptized and through Aunt Jane she had had her endowments and has been sealed to Aunt Jane’s husband, James Rigby.” (William F. Rigby diary, ca. Apr., 1886; in Our Pioneer Heritage, 4:275, 1961)
11 May: Error in construction of Salt Lake Temple.
“There have been two windows left out of the west end of the Salt Lake Temple through an error of the architect which will most likely necessitate the taking down of the wall for 20 feet. Order was given yesterday to stop laying stone now until a decision was reached abt this matter. It is a most egregious error.” (Abraham H. Cannon diary, 11 May, 1886)
11 May: Request for 2nd anointings for the dead.
“Cedar City Iron Co Utah
May 11, 1886
President John Taylor
Dear Brother.
The theme of my correspondence on the present occasion will be a subject that has engrossed my mind for many years and especially of late.
I have just returned from St George wither I had been with a portion of my family to work for my dead relatives and friends in the Temple of the Lord.
I find in looking over my record that my Father died an Elder; I recd for him some 7 years ago his second anointings. He was a good man and was called hence without a moments warning by a Stoke of lightning at the age of 63. He was Killed on Beaver City some 27 years ago and I am very desirious to receive for him the ordination as an High Priest that he may belong to the same quorum as my Brother Joshua and myself If it meets with your approval. (p. 2) Bro Erastus Snow was some little acquainted with Father and to him I refer as his advocate.
My Brother Joshua had his failings, like many more, but my mind has been set at rest for many years in regard to his present condition and situation in the spirit world. He was never cut off the Church altho he demeaned himself very improperly for some time before his death and no doubt brought about his early demise thro his bad habit of drinking. Nevertheless from manifestations I have received since his death I am satisfied that he has sorrowfully repented and is now engaged in doing all the good he can on the other side. If it meets with your approval I would very much like him to receive his second anointings. I was rebaptized for him in the Temple at St George some 8 years ago I take pleasure in mentioning the names of Judge Elias Smith and Prest Daniel H Wells as his advocates.
I have another Brother dead named Benjamin he lived on Greenville Beaver Co (p. 3) also died in the faith. I should be pleased to receive for him his second anointings and will mention the name of Prest John R. Murdock of Beaver Stake as his advocate.
I hope dear brother you will not deem me presumptous in asking for blessings for my dead relatives–they are very dear to me and I am fully satisfied that the three I have mention’d are doing all they can according to their calling and Priesthood to further on the work of the Lord where they are–I have done for them all I can–I have recd the blessings mention’d for myself and earnestly wish that these near and dear to my heart should share in the same blessings and privileges that I by the clemency of the Priesthood have been permitted to receive.
Praying the Lord to shield and protect you and the brethrn with you in the future as he has in the past and with due respect I desire to subscribe myself you[r] Brother in the Gospel
/s/ C J Arthur”
[L. John Nuttall indicated on the letter that it was received by the office on 15 May 1886] (John Taylor Papers. Church Archives. Ms/d/1346/Bx19/fd11. Bergera collection.)
“Sept 18th 1886
Bishop C. J. Arthur.
Cedar City
Dear Brother:
Enclosed please find the endorsed recommends of the two widows of your father-in law for them to get their Second Anointing; and you are at liberty to act for him and receive this ordinance with them in his behalf.
Enclosed is seen a certificate for Marion Brown Arthur. As we suppose this was your wife I have endorsed it for her to receive her second anointing; though you do not mention, or ask in the letter. If this is not your wife, she ought not to receive her second anointing on the strength of this recommend.
With Kind Regards,
Your Brother,
/s/ John Taylor”
(First Presidency Letterbook Copybooks, 1877-1949, Vol 13:111. Church Archives. CR/1/20/#12. Under date and page given. Bergera collection.)
6 Jun.: Request for 2nd anointings for the living and the dead.
“Salt Lake City
June 6th, 1886
President John Taylor
Dear Brother
Three years ago I got ready by the council of Apostle George Teasdale to go to St. George, to attend to Temple work also to get my second anointings in connection with my wives. One of my wives Maria was taken sick which hindered me from going at that time, afterward my wife Eliza now seventy nine years old, became too feable to travel that distance. I have been in hiding Seventeen months past but I think I can go safely to the Logan Temple. I aske if I now with my wives can have the privilege of this great blessing. I therefore think and feel as if I ought not to neglect this matter any longer if the privelege is mine I would also like my first wife Ann who is dead, died three years and a half ago, to recieve the blessing through one of my living wives acting for her.
Please endorse upon the recommends, if you will grant me this privilege and return to me that I may know how to prepare, as I am not known by my riqht name here please send the recommends to Brother Joseph E. Taylor with whom I am acquainted.
I will see him and ask him to recieve them for me.
I remain your Brother in the Gospel
/s/ John S. Hawkins”
(John Taylor Letters, Box 26, File 4 CHO, SLC, Utah June 6, 1886.)
15 Jun.: Increased interest in genealogical work.
“The training which the Latter-day Saints are receiving in officiating for their dead, will have a marked effect upon the future character of the people. The doctrine of baptism for the dead does literally, as the Lord said it would, turn the hearts of the children to their fathers and arouses an interest in ancestry such as is not felt among any other people. . . .
In the New England States a remarkable spirit took possession of the people about the time the Lord, through the Prophet Joseph Smith, revealed the doctrine of baptism for the dead. Up to that time, indifference and ignorance had been generally exhibited by the people of that region respecting their ancestors. But all at once interest was taken in the history of families. Societies sprang into existence, the object of their organization being the accumulation of genealogical knowledge and the tracing of family pedigrees. Every old record became an object of interest, and details of great value for families or persons who have taste for such facts were brought to light. A desire to publish family histories became very general, and numerous volumes, containing most valuable information for Latter-day Saints who are connected with the families, have been published.
If these societies and individuals had believed the doctrine of baptism for the dead which the Prophet taught, they could scarcely have done better work to aid the Latter-day Saints in attending to this ordinance than they have done and are still doing. Probably thousands and thousands of names have been preserved by their efforts which otherwise would have gone into oblivion, at any rate for the present; and their friends in the Church have officiated for them. That they were and are inspired by the Lord to do this work no reflecting, faithful Latter-day Saint doubts.
The knowledge which Latter-day Saints have of the origin of their families and the names of their kindred is remarkable. Nothing like it can be found in any community in similar circumstances. The oldest settlers have onlyi been in these valleys thirty-eight years. As emigrants they severed the old ties and launched out, as it were, into a new existence. The tendency under such circumstances is to look forward and not backward, to forget the old and think only of the new; to think about the children and grand-children rather than the parents and grand-parents, to forget uncles and aunts and cousins, not to mention more remote relatives. This is the case in other communities of our age. There may be many in such communities who know they had grand-parents; they may have heard their parents mention their uncles and aunts; but it would puzzle them to give their names, and as for cousins, especially if beyond the first degree, they are too remote to think about. But how different it is in Utah!
Visit the humblest houses in our cities and villages, and one may find families who, in leaving their former homes, severed themselves from all their kindred; but question them concerning their ancestors and family connections, and in many instances they will exhibit a surprising amount of familiarity.
This is very general and is becoming more and more so.
What will be the effect upon the character of the people?
Under the influences which prompt this searching out and preservation of pedigrees and family names and connections, it will be most elevating.
The motives are not sordid or unworthy; they are not for the purpose of affecting society by claiming to belong to old families; but they are the highest and holiest–the desire to know who their relatives and ancestors are, that they may officiate for them in those holy and saving ordinances which God has prepared.
Between the living families and the dead ancestry the most tender ties will exist.
The living may never have known or seen the dead; but after officiating for them, the latter will be, in the minds of the living, almost as though they were still here with their personal presence, and a kinship will exist infinitely stronger than that of mere blood relationship.” (George Q. Cannon, JI 21(12):188, 15 Jun., 1886)
15 Jul.: Incest to be OK in Church?
“In the evening Rud[ger Clawson] and I had a conversation with Bro. [Lorenzo] Snow about various doctrines. Bro. Snow said I would live to see the time when brothers and sisters would marry each other in this church. All our horror at such a union was due entirely to prejudice, and the offspring of such unions would be as healthy and pure as any other. These were the decided views of Pres. Young, when alive, for Bro. S. talked to him freely on this matter.” (Abraham H. Cannon diary, 15 Jul., 1886. Note that they were in the Utah State Penitentiary at the time.)
31 Jul.: Endorsement of recommends from the Underground.
“31 July, 1886.
TO THE PRESIDENTS OF STAKES AND BISHOPS OF WARDS:
Dear Brethren:
Owing to the peculiar circumstances in which we are placed, there has been some confusion and delay connected with the sending of recommends to the House of the Lord, to be endorsed by me.
To obviate this difficulty, we desire you to instruct the Saints who intend to have Temple work done, to procure their recommends sufficiently early, that they can receive them properly endorsed by me, at their own homes, before they start, instead of going to the Temple and awaiting the receipt of the recommend there by mail. If they have them in their possession before they start, they can make their arrangements for going, and for the time they will remain, and for their return, and the expense they will be at, with some degree of certainty.
We therefore urge this upon your attention, and desire that you represent the advantages of this system to all the Saints in your Stakes and Wards.
I am, your Brother,
John Taylor.”
(Circular Letter, original in LDS Archives Manuscript Section, P M234.5 T243t; xerox in Richard G. Moore, “Temple Recommends: Certificates of Worthiness,” 13 Aug., 1979)
2 & 4 Sep.: Forced closing of St. George & Logan Temples.
“[2nd] This morning as the People had just commenced work in the Temple, word came to close it for an indefinite period. It caused quite a shock among the people. Many of the things were removed and the workers took their clothing and went home, this caused by the threats of our enemies. And God will hold them responsible for hindering the redemption of the Dead. . . .
[4th] We learn that the Logan Temple is also closed.” (Charles L. Walker diary, 2 & 4 Sep., 1886)
18 Sep.: Reopening of Temple/enforcement of W of Wisdom.
“The Temple is now open again, but a very few attend. The reason I attribute to it is the requirements made of the People by Pres MacAllister in regard to the Word of Wisdom.” (Charles L. Walker diary, 18 Sep., 1886)
22 Sep.: Word of Wisdom observance necessary.
“Prest. J. D. T. McAllister said . . . the word is now given, that those who come into this Temple must keep the Word of Wisdom, Wines, liquors &c are good in sickness and should be kept in the house for medicine but not beverages, they are forbidden.” (St. George Temple Minutes K93605, 22 Sep., 1886)
6 Oct.: Workings of Satan to obstruct temple work.
“Notwithstanding the violent and unabating opposition which is arrayed against us the work of ministering in the ordinances of the Lord’s House continues, and the blessing of the Heavens still follows these administrations. As we have so long expected and so frequently been warned, Satan rages as he views his domain trenched upon, his captives delivered, and the souls of men wrenched from his grasp by the labors of the living for the dead in and through those sacred ordinances that belong alone to the Gospel of the Son of God, administered in holy places by His chosen servants and handmaidens. And it must not surprise us if the rage of the arch-enemy of mankind increases and his emissaries brutal and inhuman in their efforts to stay this work, as the number of temples increases and the thousands of Israel go in thereto to minister the ordinances of salvation for their ancestors and departed friends. We further rejoice that the work of erecting the Salt Lake and Manti Temples goes steadily forward, and that the latter is nearing its completion with all the rapidity that could reasonably be expected when we consider the condition of the Church and the people and the difficulties under which they labor.” (Epistle of the First Presidency, 6 Oct., 1886. In Clark, Messages 3:86)
6 Oct.: Must have “temple divorce” to remarry without sin
“Only when every kindly counsel and ministration fail should that last resort, a divorce, be permitted. And in such cases those who have received of the sealing power of the Church should also be separated by the same authority that bound them together: until this is done new alliances are sinful.” (Epistle of the First Presidency, 6 Oct., 1886. In Clark, Messages 3:88)
18 Nov.: Details on 2nd anointings.
“November 18th 1886
Prest. J.D.T. McAllister
St George.
Dear Brother:
In reply to your letter of the 12th of November. There is no objection to Brother Noah Brimhall receiving his second anointing and I have endorsed his recommend accordingly. But his present wife cannot be anointed to him as she is only his wife for time, and when she receives her anointings to her deceased husband, Bailey Lake, his other two wives should also receive theirs.
If Brother Brimhall were to act for Bailey Lake and she were to be anointed to him as proxy, it might lead to confusion. The better way, in order that the records may be straight, is for some one to act for Brother Lake and the three wives be anointed at the same time. Brother George Lake having one these wives and being his brothers heir could do this with the greatest (p. 2) propriety, if he should be worthy of the ordinance.
Under the circumstances I think Brother Brimhall had better get a relative of his own, or of his deceased wifes, or in the absence of such a relative, some friend who has had her second anointing to act as proxy for his deceased wife, and let Sister Lavina Jones Lake Brimhall wait for this ordinance until arrangements can be made for the other wives of Brother Lake to join her in obtaining this ordinance
With Kind regards
Your Brother.
/s/ John Taylor”
(First Presidency Letterpress Copybooks, 1877-1949. Volume 14:12-13. Church Archives. CR/1/20/#12. Bergera collection.)
24 Nov.: No 1-year wait before endowments?
[For several months, Cannon had been courting a woman, and had now proposed marriage.] “She was baptized today preparatory to going to the temple to have her endowments.” (Abraham H. Cannon diary, 24 Nov., 1886)
12 Dec.: Request for 2nd anointing for the dead.
“I think President Taylor will recollect a young English sister in Nauvoo by the name of Hannah Ells. She was sealed to Joseph the Prophet before his death. She died in Nauvoo in sister Sarah Kimball’s house. I loved her very much–was present at her death. I have had endowments for her. Sister Zina is in Logan and will, with your permission, have second anointing for her.” (Letter of Eliza R. Snow to President John Taylor Eliza R. Snow Letter file in CHO. December 12, 1886. Bergera collection.)
Dec.: Anticipated raids on temples.
“There are many things of interest that have transpired within the last three months that I am not able to write; for some time past it has been expected that our enemies would make a raid on our Temple, consequently, since last Oct I have had no light at nights and could not read nor write, having to sit in the dark all night or patrol by starlight, which is very lonesome and monotonous.” (Charles L. Walker diary, Dec., 1886)
ca. 1886: No endowment until non-member husband died.
“At one time we went to Logan to do temple work. My sister, America, went, thinking she would have her endowments, but when she got there we were told she had better wait, as her husband was living and had left the Church, and that it would be better to wait. We all felt bad about it; my Mother asked us all to pray that the way might be opened so that she could have her temple work done. That was in August, and the next July her husband was killed while taming a race horse. The following year we went to the temple and she had her work done.” (Jucina Mecham Boren autobiography; Treasures of Pioneer History 6:326, 1957; Date most likely 1886, as Logan Temple didn’t open until 1884, and their mother, who figured in this episode, died 28 Apr., 1886.)