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TEMPLES, 1910.
1910: Mar.: Universal salvation.
“If this work must be performed for the dead from the beginning to the end of time, how is it to be done? It is an exceptional case when a family record can be traced beyond the fifteenth century with any degree of accuracy, and most all of those that can, merely give the name of the father and first-born son, or the name of the one inheriting the estate. In extent of time three or four hundred years is but a moment. What, then, are we to do for the great multitudes of our kindred who antedate the fifteenth or sixteenth centuries, whose records were never kept, and consequently we cannot obtain? Will the Lord hold us accountable for these dead, and punish us for not doing their work, when we are powerless to act? Not in the least. The Lord requires of us that we do all we can, no more than that. He will assist us if we will try, and the way will be opened before us, as has been the case in innumerable instances, so that we can accomplish a great deal more than we at first think we can. There is enough that we can do for the dead, from the records which can be obtained today, to fill a hundred temples daily, and then we would not be through, at the rate we are working, before Christ will come to reign.
We are expected to save as many as we possibly can with the knowledge we possess, and when the Redeemer comes to reign on earth, there will be a closer communication between the mortal and the resurrected Saints who will work hand in hand in the redemption of the dead. Those who have passed beyond will then be in a position to furnish to their mortal kin all necessary names for temple work: and thus the labor for their salvation will be facilitated and more accurately done than it possibly can be done today.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, “Salvation Universal,” IE 13(5):453-454, Mar., 1910)
Mar.: Marriage of widows: fate of offspring.
“Marriage of Widows.–‘If a woman is sealed to a man in the temple for eternity, and the man, her husband dies, and she marries again and has a family by a second husband, to which man do the children belong in the hereafter? ‘
The children, according to the belief of the Latter-day Saints, go with the mother, and she, of course, belongs to the man unto whom she was originally sealed for time and eternity. Her second marriage was for time only.” (“Priesthood Quorums’ Table,” IE 13(5):468, Mar., 1910)
31 Mar.: White decorations for Winder funeral.
“President Winder was taken to the Tabernacle and laid in state. . . . The stand was draped in white and there was a mass of flowers.” (Anthon H. Lund diary, 31 Mar., 1910)
10 Jul.: Concerning the role of High Priests.
“It is a serious mistake for any high priest to look upon himself as out of the harness or laid upon the shelf. While younger and more active men may have been called to places which require a great deal of activity and the strenuous life–it does not imply that the Church no longer needs the services of the high priest, by any manner of means. He should keep his harness on in proportion to his ability to get about. Keep it on and die in it. Then he will find it strapped to him when he wakens on the other side, and himself ready for the activities which may await him there, and thus not unduly lengthen the period of negative existence due to the infirmities of age.
But the high priest not appointed to specific work should be actively interested in the work for the dead, and should visit and inspire the families of the Saints to follow up this great work. In this field he can be of incalculable service to the bishop and the ward. Where there are parents who have not been sealed or had their children sealed to them, where families do not sense the great importance of work for their dead and are neglecting it and dying and passing away without accomplishing it in some degree, it is peculiarly the privilege of the high priest to enlighten their minds and awaken their interest in the salvation of their dead. His field of activity in this direction is limitless, and the call for his services is loud indeed. If it be true that a man by striving all his life and bringing but one soul to Christ will have such great joy in the kingdom of heaven, how great may be the joy of those high priests, who, relieved of the more exacting labors of the priesthood, turn their attention to this great subject, and become the means of arousing family after family to look after the salvation of their dead. What could be a more fitting rounding out of an active life in the ministry? What could be a more fitting close of an eventful and useful career than attention to the great work for the dead? As a Church we are doing too little in this direction. Our temples are not all filled, and many families are wholly neglecting to attend to the duty they owe their progenitors. This work should be taken up more vigorously and more systematically than has been the case, and I do not know wherein the priesthood could do better than to lay this responsible charge upon the shoulders of the high priests. I hope to see the day when bishops will be called uopn to set their high priests at work systematically along this line. But whether this is done or not, it is now an open field for honors of the very highest kind, and which will reach into eternity with greater glory to the doer than any other labor that can be pursued here upon the earth–for the beneficiaries there awaiting the coming of the laborer in the kingdom will crown him with mighty praises and thanksgiving.” (Harry E. Baker, of the North Weber Stake High Council, delivered at the tri-stake Priesthood Convention, Ogden, 10 Jul., 1910; IE 13(11):1034-1035, Sep., 1910)
15 Sep.: Who should escort patron through the veil?
“Further speaker [President David H. Cannon] remarked ‘a precedent seemed to be obtaining in this Temple that of, taking all those through the vail who by the ties of Consanguinity or marriage are in any way related. This is not what is meant in the “lecture” for while the person representing deceased is my relative, the person deceased who is not my relative is the person being taken through the vail and therefore any other person appointed to officiate at the vail, may properly take the person representing deceased through the vail. Tho’ such living person may be the relative of one officiating at another vail.
The “Lecture” especially refers to persons receiving their own endowments that they may be taken through the vail by their “father or next of kin.”‘
Prest. Cannon trusted this order would be observed.” (St. George Temple Minutes, K9369, 15 Sep., 1910)
ca. 22 Oct.: Can man married to non-member be endowed?
“Can a man receive his endowments whose wife is not a member of the Church. No.” (Anthony W. Ivins diary, entry in front of diary covering 22 Oct.-19 Nov., 1910)
Nov.: About passing from one glory to another.
“‘Can one pass from the telestial to the terrestrial and celestial glories, sometime in eternity, worlds without end?’
The answer to this question may not be absolutely clear in the revelation [D&C 76]; but the general understanding, both from the revelation and from the interpretations that have heretofore been made thereof, is that once a person enters these glories there will be eternal progress in the line of each of these particular glories, but that the privilege of passing from one to the other (though this may be possible for especially gifted and faithful characters) is not provided for. The statement in verse 112, relating to partakers of the telestial glory, that they who inhabit it shall be servants of the Most High, but ‘where God and Christ dwell they cannot come worlds without end,’ would indicate that at least those who live in this glory are not capable of graduating into the celestial glory. Who knows but in the providences of God there may be exceptions, because all his judgments are not made known to us? But this thought is awakened: Would it be reasonable to suppose that a person who was so neglectful in this life as to fail in meriting a greater glory would be able to make such great strides in the world to come as to overtake those who have been true and faithful here? We think not. Another thought: There are many degrees of glory in each of these three glories and the faithful will be given full satisfaction and reward for their efforts, ‘for they shall be judged according to their works, and every man shall receive according to his own works, his own dominion, in the mansions which are prepared.’ The rewards for all will be greater than anticipated. And we are told even the glory of the telestial ‘surpasses all understanding.'” (“Priesthood Quorum’s Table,” IE 14(1):87-88, Nov., 1910)
7 Dec.: Garments not to be altered.
“President David H. Cannon: ‘was very pleased with the privilege of greeting the saints this morning. Wished more were here. Spoke a few words about the garment. We are told the garment is a pattern of one given to Adam and Eve in the garden. If the sleeve is cut off it will not be the proper garment. Said, President Young once told a young woman that they could turn in the collar and roll up the sleeves but they must not cut them off.'” (St. George Temple Minute Book, 7 Dec., 1910)
“Instructions Concerning Temple Ordinance Work.”
“At least one year should be allowed to elapse after the death of individuals before Temple ordinances are performed in their behalf, unless it is known that the deceased were faithful members of the Church, or that they were prepared to obey the Gospel before their death. . . .
Baptisms, or other ordinances, must not be performed in behalf of any individual whose death is not positibely known, except one hundred years, at least, have elapsed from date of birth.
When there is no evidence of the dead having attained a sufficient age in life, endowments should not be performed in behalf of such persons. . . .
A living person cannot be represented by proxy. . . .
Children under eight years of age do not need to have any Temple ordinances performed in their behalf, other than being sealed to parents if they were not born in the Covenant. Those eight years of age must be baptized, and dead children over fourteen years of age should be endowed, before being sealed to parents. . .
It is advised that individuals having Temple ordinances performed should limit that work to kindred bearing the surnames of their parents and grandparents; that provides four family lines. To include other lines than those involves the probability of repeating Temple ordinances that individuals representing other families may have a better right to have performed. Every possible precaution should be taken to prevent such undesirable repetition. Temple work may be done for dead individuals who were married to your blood relations, but the family lines of such relatives-in-law must not be included. . . .
Males over 21 or females over 18 years of age, are not permitted to witness or take part in any Temple ordinances, except baptism for the dead, until they have received their own endowments. . . .
Those who do ordinance work have not the right to make matches between people who are deceased, except in cases of persons who were married in life. In all other instances the President of the Temple must be consulted. Persons who committed murder or suicide, or who apostatized or were excommunicated from the Church, cannot be officiated for except by special permission of the President of the Temple. He should be appealed to in all matters involving doubt or complications. . .
All who come to the Temple to perform ordinance work are expected to make donations according to their circumstances, to aid in meeting necessary expenses, but the poor who have nothing to give are equally welcome.
Recommends for the privilege to work in the House of the Lord must be renewed every six months. Each individual needs a recommend, including children over eight years of age.
William Budge. President of Logan Temple.” (ca. 1910)
“(p. 3) The Saints who enter the sacred building should be properly prepared. Their bodies should be scrupulously clean. Those who are to be baptized, or officiate in endowments, should each bring a towel for personal use. Shoes worn out of doors should be removed from the feet, in the Temple Annex, and slippers substituted therefor. Males should be ordained Elders before they come to the Temple to receive their own endowments.
The Saints who attend to baptisms for the dead should be amply dressed in white before entering the font. All participants in the ordinance of sealing children should also be dressed in clean, white clothing. Males over 21 or females over 18 years of age, are not permitted to witness or take part in any Temple ordinances, except baptism for the dead, until they have received their own endowments.
Each individual should be provided with the endowment clothing they need. The garments must be clean and white, and of the approved pattern; they must not be altered or mutilated, and are to be worn as intended, down to the wrist and ankles, and around the neck. These requirements are imperative; admission to the Temple will be refused to those who do not comply therewith.” (“Instructions Concerning Temple Ordinance Work”; Pq/M234.5/I59s/#1/c.2; Joseph F. Smith; President of the Salt Lake Temple; 1898-1911.)
“INSTRUCTIONS TO THE SAINTS WHO ARE PRIVILEGED TO DO ORDINANCE WORK IN THE SALT LAKE TEMPLE
The Saints, before coming to the Temple should consider well the work they propose doing, and have the necessary dates, etc., in each individual case submitted to writing on the blanks provided for the respective ordinances. The information has to be repeated as a rule, for each class of work. For instance, the record given in for baptisms will not suffice for the other ordinances; it must be given again for each of the ordinances that follow.
Special blanks are provided for use in giving record for sealing wives to husbands, or children to parents.
At least one year should be allowed to elapse after the death of individual before Temple ordinances are performed in their behalf, unless it is known the deceased were faithful members of the Church, or that they were prepared to obey the Gospel before their death.
In making out lists for Baptisms, the names of males and females should be listed separately. Initials only of names should not be used, unless the full names cannot be given.
If the name of an ancestor is unknown, it is not right to assume that the surname of such ancestor is the same as that of the descendants, because it is sometimes the case that a child’s surname is not the same as the father’s.
Women should be designated by their maiden names only, until they are sealed as wives, in which case the marriage name is added. When the maiden name cannot be ascertained, the marriage name must be prefixed by the word Mrs.
If exact dates are unknown, write the word About in the place headed Day and Month, and enter the year supposed to be nearest to that in which the individual was born or died, based upon calculations reasonably derived from other data. If date of birth cannot be given or approximated, the date of marriage, if that is known, should be entered in the birth column, prefixed by the word married.
If a place of birth is unknown, state where the individual lived, if that can be ascertained. The name of place thus given should be prefixed by the word of.
[page 2]Baptisms, or other ordinances, must not be performed in behalf of any individual whose death is not positively known, except one hundred years has elapsed form date of birth.
When there is no evidence of the dead having reached a sufficient age, endowments should not be performed in behalf of such persons.
When endowments are wanted for the dead, the date of Baptism must be given; and when sealings of husbands and wives are to be performed for the dead, the dates of Endowments should be stated in addition to the other information usually required.
The dead who have been endowed can only be presented in any vicarious work by those who have themselves been endowed. A living person cannot be represented by proxy.
Husband and wife, dead, should be sealed on same day they are endowed, if possible.
Before children are sealed to parents or adopted, all the other ordinances to which they are eligible should first be attended to. All the members of a family should be sealed to their parents at the same time, if possible. If the sealing is to another person than the father or mother, that fact must be stated.
No person should have the ordinances of Sealing to Parents, or Adoptions, performed for those who are not of their own lineage.
Those who do Temple work, or get it done, should be careful to designate their proper relationship to each one of the dead. A clear distinction should be made between blood kindred and those to whom they are married; the latter are known as relatives in law, thus, a man is nephew-in-law to his uncle’s wife, cousin-in-law to his cousin’s wife, etc. If the dead are known to be blood relations, but the degree of relationship cannot be stated, the word Relative is to be given. When there is no family connection, the word Friend should be used. The relatives, or friends of a wife should be listed separately from those of her husband, and the work for her kindred should be at the instance of her eldest brother, if he is a member of the Church, or of her eldest son.
Lists of Baptisms or Sealings that are left with the recorder, can be obtained from the doorkeeper after they are recorded. These lists, in connection with memoranda of other work done in the Temple, which all are advised to keep, will furnish information which should be promptly entered in individual or family records. The instructions concerning this matter should be carefully observed, as the recorder has not the time at command to make transcripts of work from the Temple records.
For information concerning records, address the Recorder, Salt Lake Temple.
[page 3]The Saints who enter the sacred building should be properly prepared. Their bodies should be scrupulously clean. Males should be ordained Elders before they come to the Temple to receive endowments.
The Saints who attend to baptisms for the dead should be amply dressed in white before entering the font. All participants in the ordinance of sealing children should also be dressed in white. Males over 21 or females over 18 hears of age, are not permitted to witness or take part in any Temple ordinances, except baptism for the dead, until they have receive their own endowments.
The living who receive their own endowments are required to state their names in full, date and place of birth, date of baptism, and names of parents.
Couples who come to the Temple to be married (sealed), must bring Licenses issued by County Clerks of this State. When this is not complied with the ceremony will not be performed. Those who have been legally married before do not require such licenses. Husbands and wives must be sealed before their children can be sealed to them.
In the performance of work for the dead, the right of heirship (blood relationship) should be sacredly regarded. When practicable, relatives should represent the dad. When an heir empowers another person to do the work in his or her stead, he or she should give the acting proxy a written authorization to that effect. The name of the individual at whose instance the work is done, and his, or her relationship to each of the dead is required for record. As a rule, the eldest living male representative of the family is the recognized heir.
Individuals, or families, who cannot conveniently attend personally to the performance of the Temple work in behalf of their dead kindred, or friends, can make arrangements to have such work done at their instance. The necessary instructions regarding this matter will be imparted on application to the Recorder.
When baptisms have been attended to, the other ordinances to which the individuals are eligible should be performed without delay.
Each person or family should keep an accurate individual or family record of work done. This is of great importance and must not be neglected. Unless it is attended to the children of those who are now working for the dead will not know where to take up the labor where their parents leave it. A simple form of blank book has been prepared for that purpose, which can be [page 4] obtained at moderate cost at the Deseret News Book Store. It is advisable that individuals doing Temple work for same family names should correspond with each other, to prevent duplication of such work, if possible. Those who wish skilled assistance to arrange their records can get it form the Genealogical Society, Historian’s Office. All who engage in Temple work are invited to become members of that Society; valuable assistance may thereby be secured in procuring, and compiling, essential genealogical information.
Those who do ordinance work have not the right to make matches between people who are deceased, except in cases of persons who were married in life. In all other instances the President of the Temple must be consulted. Persons who committed murder or suicide, or who apostatized or were excommunicated from the Church, cannot be officiated for except for except by special permission of the President of the Temple. He should be appealed to in all matters involving doubt or complications.
The Temple is open on all working days at 7:30 a.m., and all ought to be in the building not later than 8:30. Monday is devoted to taking the record of Baptisms for the Dead, which are performed on Tuesdays. Baptismal records are not taken after eleven o’clock Mondays.
The higher ordinances are attended to on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The record of this work is taken between the hours of 7:30 and 9:00 a.m. of the day it is performed. The earlier the Saints come to give in record the better.
All who enter the temple must observe good order and proper decorum; loud and irrelevant conversation should be avoided.
All who come to the Temple to perform ordinance work are expected to make donations according to their circumstances, to aid in meeting necessary expenses, but the poor who have nothing to give are equally welcome.
Recommends for the privilege to work in the House of the Lord must be renewed every six months. Each individual needs a recommend, including children over eight years of age.
JOSEPH F. SMITH,
President of Salt Lake Temple.”
(Temple Instructions, ca. 1910, pp. 1-4)