Below you will find Prince’s research excerpts titled, “Temples, 1913.” You can view other years here.
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TEMPLES, 1913.
1913: 3 Jan.: Cremation with temple clothing on the body.
“I understand that in the County where San Francisco is situated the law of cremation is in force. I said that it was almost a shock to me to hear of their burning the temple clothing.” (Anthon H. Lund diary, 3 Jan., 1913)
13 Feb.: Approval of 2nd endowment session in SLC.
“In 1913 Church leaders approved his [Anthon H. Lund] recommendation that a second endowment session be added to the day’s schedule to relieve the crowded conditions.” (Mouritsen Diss., p. 200; also Anthon H. Lund diary, 13 Feb., 1913)
6 Oct.: Masonic connection.
“When the Prophet Joseph declared that Elijah delivered to him the keys of the salvation of the living and the dead he asserted a wonderful truth. Was Elijah possessed of the same knowledge and intelligence he had while he dwelt upon the earth? It has been asserted by some that the Prophet Joseph Smith obtained from masonry some or most all of the ceremonies had by us in our temples. Recently I have had an opportunity to investigate most thoroughly the history and connection of the membership of the Church with masonry, when certain lodges were organized in the city of Nauvoo and other places; and I satisfied myself, and without giving you the detailed evidence, I assert to you that the evidence given by masons themselves proves conclusively that Joseph Smith never knew the first thing of masonry until years after he had received the visit of Elijah, and had delivered to men the keys of the holy priesthood, and the ceremonies and ordinances had by us in these sacred temples, and had given the endowments to men long before he knew the first thing pertaining to the ordinances and the ceremonies of masonry. What is masonry? Why, a fragment of the old truth coming down perhaps from Solomon’s temple of ancient days, and but a fragment, as Christianity is but a fragment of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. It was only to be had and enjoyed by those who hold the holy priesthood. The prophet Elijah revealed these truths; he possessed them anciently and he gave them in their perfectness, and simplicity and purity to the Prophet Joseph Smith.” (Melvin J. Ballard, General Conference address, 6 Oct., 1913, in CR October, 1913, pp. 123-127)
20 Dec.: Update on genealogical work.
“The work in the holy Temples continues, and the number of baptisms and other ordinances for the dead therein is really astonishing, and shows a spirit of genuine self-sacrifice and charity. The power thus obtained by this union of purpose and effort between the sons and daughters of God in the flesh and those who are in the world of spirits, while not recognized or understood by the world, should be a source of joy to ‘the wise,’ as it is of combined influence of the two spheres in the great cause of human redemption. The marriages for time and eternity performed in those sacred edifices under the authority which binds on earth and in heaven, serve to join in eternal union the hearts and lives of many thousands of souls annually, and to bring about the Divine purposes associated with this heavenly order of wedlock. The recent arrangement of two sessions daily for attending to these holy ordinances in this city, has greatly facilitated the work. Associated therewith is the classwork of the Genealogical Society of Utah, which has been conducted chiefly by the women’s department of the society, and has made it comparatively easy for persons desirous of performing ordinances for their kindred dead, to prepare data in an intelligent and convenient form for officiating and recording.” (First Presidency Christmas Message, 20 Dec., 1913. In Clark, Messages of the First Presidency 4:297)
Guidelines on Temple Recommends.
“Recommends should be issued only to those who are worthy. A sufficient time should elapse after baptism and after arrival in the ward to prove worthiness. Children under eight years of age do not need recommends when they acccompany their parents or guardians. Recommends should not be given to persons afflicted with infectious disease, or with offensive skin diseases.
Individuals who have been endowed, and afterwards have been excommunicated, and who have subsequently entered the Church again, should not be recommended to the Temple except by special permission of the President of the Church. Women married to men who are not members of the Church should not receive endowments. Males over twenty-one years of age who have not received their endowments, and females over eighteen years are not permitted to take part in, nor witness temple ordinances, except that they may be baptized for the dead. In every such case the recommend must show that it is issued for Baptisms only. If persons are to receive endowments at the time they are to be sealed to parents, the fact that they are so recommended must be stated on the recommend.
Men should be ordained to the Melchisedek Priesthood before they come to the Temple to receive endowments.
Those who go to the Temple should provide themselves with suitable clothing, as the Relief Society does not keep sufficient clothing on hand to meet the entire demand. Latter-day Saints should be encouraged to prepare and keep their own temple clothes.
Those who receive recommends to be married in the Temple should not have the marriage ceremony performed before they come to the Temple, unless there is some justifiable reason for doing so, such as having to delay an undesirable length of time before they could come, or having to travel alone, by team, to reach the Temple.
When persons go to the Temple to be married, the name of the bride must be given on the groom’s recommend and the groom’s name on the bride’s recommend. It must also be understood that the marriage ceremony will not be performed unless the contracting parties have complied with the law in securing a proper license from the county clerk within the state where the Temple is located.” (Circular of Instructions No. 12, To Presidents of Stakes and Counselors, Presidents of Missions, Bishops and Counselors, Stake, Mission and Ward Clerks and all Church Authorities, 1913, pp. 21-22)
Temple recommends in missions.
“Presidents of Missions should not issue recommends to the Temple, as a residence of at least six months in one of the wards of the Church is necessary before such recommends may be issued. Recommendations relating to temple matters in which members of missions are concerned must be sent directly to the First Presidency.” (Circular of Instructions No. 12, To Presidents of Stakes and Counselors, Presidents of Missions, Bishops and Counselors, Stake, Mission and Ward Clerks and all Church Authorities, 1913, p. 51)