# The House of the Lord/Plates

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Note: Among the illustrations following, are several showing interior views of the Temple at Salt Lake City, specifically Plates 8 to 38 inclusive. Each of these pictures is protected by Photo Copyright, and all rights pertaining thereto are expressly reserved.
Photo by S. T. Whitaker, Ogden, Utah.Used by permission
PLATE 1
Plate 1.—The Kirtland Temple
This, the first Temple reared to the name of the Lord in modern times, was erected at Kirtland, Ohio. The corner stones were laid in July, 1833, and the building was finished and dedicated in March, 1836. The structure is still existent though not longer owned by the people who reared it, nor used for the distinctive purposes characteristic of Temples.
The Kirtland Temple was built by the Latter-day Saints in the period of their early history as a Church—in the days of poverty and persecution. In less than two years after the completion of the building, the people were forced to leave, and the Temple soon thereafter passed from their custody.
In this Temple many heavenly manifestations were witnessed; and therein the Lord Jesus appeared in Person, and instructed His chosen servants.
See pages 114-123.
From a drawing by W. Murphy.Copyrighted and published in 1868.
PLATE 2
Plate 2.—The Nauvoo Temple
This structure, built by the Latter-day Saints at Nauvoo, Illinois, was the second Temple of the present dispensation. It was begun in 1841, and completed in 1846. In it was constructed the first Baptismal Font of modern times for the sacred ordinance of Baptism for the Dead.
Owing to religious intolerance and violent persecution, a general exodus of the people had begun before the building was finished, though not before many had received their blessings and endowments therein. Certain parts of the Temple were dedicated for ordinance work long before the dedication of the building as a whole.
In 1848 the Temple was partly destroyed by fire; and in 1850 the ruined walls were leveled by a tornado.
See pages 126-136.
Photo by Shiplers.Salt Lake City.
PLATE 3
Plate 3.—The Great Temple at Salt Lake City, Utah
This splendid structure was forty years in building. The corner stones were laid April 6, 1853; the capstone was placed in position April 6, 1892, and the completed Temple was dedicated April 6, 1893; each of these events was marked by impressive ceremony. The walls are of solid granite eight feet thick in the first story and six feet in the upper parts. Many stones of emblematical significance appear representing sun, moon, stars, the earth, and the clouds.
On the main inscription stone at the east we read: "Holiness to the Lord" and on the keystones of the arched windows at both east and west ends, "I am Alpha and Omega" and above these is the awe-inspiring emblem of the All-seeing Eye.
See pages 136-180.
Photo by Shipers.Photo Copyright by same.Used here by permission
PLATE 4
Plate 4.—The Great Temple in Winter
The Temple is centrally located in the easterly half of Temple Block. The grounds are beautified by a profusion of shrubs, trees, and flowers. Many observers have voiced their uncertainty as to whether the Temple appears more beautiful when environed by the greenery of summer or by the white foliage of hoar-frost or snow. The scene herewith presented was caught by the camera in the spring of 1912.
Plate 5.—Statue Surmounting the Capstone of the Great Temple
The stonework of each of the six towers ends in a sphere of granite. The termination of the east center tower is the highest stone in the building and constitutes the capstone. Anchored to this granite globe is a figure wrought in copper over-laid with gold; it stands over twelve feet high, and represents Moroni, an ancient Nephite prophet, who as a resurrected being visited the boy-prophet, Joseph Smith, in 1823, and afterward delivered to him the ancient record since published to the world as the Book of Mormon. The design is that of a herald with a trumpet at his lips. The statue is the work of C. E. Dallin.
The capstone on which the statue stands is one of the record-stones of the Temple. In a receptacle within the granite mass are a number of books and other records.
See pages 175, 176; also 151, 152.
Plate 6.—One of the Outer Doors of the Temple
There are four outer portals leading into the Temple beside the entrance from the Annex. Each of these four doorways occupies a court between the towers. The doors are hung in pairs, each door twelve feet high and four feet wide. The woodwork is of oak, hand-carved. The middle and upper panels hold heavy plate glass in front of which are grills of bronze. Even the door-knobs and escutcheons are of special design, in which appear the bee-hive and the inscription "Holiness to the Lord." On the central side of each of the doorways is a niche roofed by a canopy of granite, to accommodate a statue.
See pages 179, 180.
Plate 7.—Annex to the Great Temple
Each of the four Temples in Utah is provided with a small detached building known as the Annex. This is used for office purposes and other incidental service, and contains an assembly room in which are held devotional exercises preliminary to those of the Temple proper.
The Annex of the Salt Lake City Temple is an attractive building of cream-colored oolite, standing about one hundred feet north from the main structure. The Annex is connected with the Temple by a passage, partly below ground-level.
See pages 154, 155, and 181
Plate 8.—Assembly Room in the Temple Annex
This room, thirty-six feet square and provided with spacious alcoves on two opposite sides is used for purposes of general assembly preparatory to the ordinances of the Temple. Here congregate on the morning of each day of service all who are to take part, either in administering or receiving ordinances. The large painting, which appears at the center of the accompanying illustration, is Weggeland's full-sized copy of Munkacsy's "Christ Before Pilate." Portraits of living authorities of the Church adorn the walls of the main section, and portraits of deceased Presidents and Apostles are hung in the alcoves.
Just inside the vestibule of the Annex is the offices of he Temple Doorkeeper, to whom must be presented, by every person applying for admission to the Temple, a certificate or "recommend" signed by the Bishop of his Ward, and the President of his Stake, attesting the worthiness of the bearer to enter the House of the Lord.
See pages 181 and 182; also page 160.
Plate 9.—Passage Connecting Annex with Temple
A flight of stairs leads downward from the main floor of the Annex to this semi-subterranean passage, which runs southerly about ninety feet and terminates at the threshold of the Temple. The door opening directly into the lower corridor of the Temple appears in the background.
This is the usual avenue of entrance to the Temple. Only those who assemble for the council meetings of the Priesthood pass the outer portals into the Temple direct.
The passage is well lighted and ventilated, and in cold weather comfortably warmed. A strip of the old-style rag carpet covers part of the floor.
See pages 182, 183.
Plate 10.—Lower Corridor of the Temple
The Lower Corridor is entered from the Annex Passage through the north wall of the Temple, and extends thence southerly to the opposite side. The corridor is twelve feet wide, and is richly finished and furnished.
On the east wall is a large painting by William Armitage, showing the Prophet Joseph Smith preaching to the Indians. Smaller paintings are hung on either side. Doorways leading from this corridor admit to the Lower dressing rooms on the west. At the south end is seen the lower section of the Grand Stairway.
See pages 183 and 186.
Plate 11.—The Baptistery
The Baptistery or Baptismal Room is thirty-two by forty-five feet and is situated on the west of the Lower Corridor. The great Baptismal Font occupies the center of the room, and is supported by twelve life-sized oxen of cast-iron, which stand in a depression three feet below the floor level. The oxen are grouped, three facing toward each of the cardinal points of the compass.
In this font, which has a capacity of over four hundred gallons, is administered the ordinance of baptism by immersion. By far the greater number of baptisms here solemnized are in behalf of the dead, in which ordinance the deceased person is represented by a living proxy.
Steps are provided for convenience in entering and leaving the font. Platforms guarded by a railing are furnished with seats for the accommodation of recorders and witnesses whose presence at each ceremony is requisite.
See pages 183-185; also 77 and 89-93.
Plate 12.—The Lower Lecture Room
The room so designated is entered from the Lower Corridor near the north end. It is forty by forty-five feet in area, and is seated to accommodate two hundred and fifty persons. This room is used in the first course of instruction incident to the Endowment. As seen in the accompanying illustration it is plainly furnished, without wall-ornament or other embellishment. The portal hung with curtains, which appears in the back-ground of the picture, leads into the Garden Room.
See pages 185, 186; also 99-101.
Plate 13.—The Garden Room
As already seen, the Lower Lecture Room is marked by simplicity and plainness; the Garden Room is characterized by richness and beauty. Here ceiling and walls have been painted by master artists, who have depicted with effective skill the distant glory of sky and cloud, and the nearer beauties of earthly life. Landscape scenes cover the walls from floor to ceiling; there are gardens and glens, hills, valleys, and brooks, fruits and flowers, birds and other living things, all appearing amidst a setting of beauty, plenty, and peace. Lions and lambs are reposing in companionship, while insect and bird fly together.
The room represents the earth as it was before sin entered and brought with it the curse; it is the Garden of Eden depicted in miniature. On one side is a richly-upholstered altar, upon which rests the Holy Bible.
See page 186.
Plate 14.—The Upper Corridor
The illustration presented herewith shows the Upper Corridor at the head of the Grand Stairway. The walls are hung with portraits and paintings of scriptural scenes. In the back-ground, at the north end of this corridor, is the doorway leading into the Celestial Room, shown in Plates 21 and 22. A portal on the right leads into one of the ante-rooms (Plate 26) to the Sealing Room for the Living; that on the left is the entrance to a side passage which in turn leads into the World Room (Plate 17).
See page 186.
Plate 15.—Side Corridor
From a landing near the top of the Grand Stairway a side corridor leads to the west and opens into the World Room. The picture here shown was taken from the west end of this corridor, and the observer is therefore looking east into the Upper Corridor already described and illustrated. The large wall painting presents a scene from the Book of Mormon record—that of the Resurrected Christ ministering to the children on the occasion of His visit to the Nephites. (Book of Mormon, III Nephi 17:23, 24.) The painting is the work of William Armitage.
See page 187.
Plate 16.—Art Window,—The Expulsion from Eden
The passage from the Garden Room below to the World Room on the next floor is by way of the Grand Stairway and the Side Corridor last described. On the south side of the passage is a splendid art window of elliptical shape depicting the expulsion of the first parents of the race from Eden after the Fall. It is of particular appropriateness in this part of the building, and impresses the beholder as a symbol of the great change brought about by the Fall of Man.
See page 187.
Plate 17.—The World Room, Looking West
The walls of the World Room are painted with scenes typical of the earth after the Fall. There are hills and crags, trees and flowers, but the whole presentation is that of the fallen state. In place of gentle slope and mossy dell, there are precipitous hills and broken rocks. The trees are gnarled and misshapen. In the accompanying picture two lions are seen in deadly combat, while the lioness stands nearby awaiting the outcome of the struggle. Two bears are feasting on the carcase of an animal killed by a lynx which, driven from its prey, has taken refuge in a tree. Compared with the blessed peace of Eden these scenes are strikingly impressive by their contrast.
See pages 187, 188.
Photo by C. R. Savage Co., Salt Lake CityPhoto Copyright by Joseph F. Smith, Trustee-in-Trust.
PLATE 18
Plate 18.—The World Room, Looking East
On the rear walls of the World Room are depicted further scenes of disturbance, disruption, and violence. Rocky crags, blasted shrubs, and deformed trees are shown in impressive detail; and in the distance a storm scene is pictured. Deer appear in life and death struggle; birds of prey are slaying their weaker kindred. On the summit of the cliffs is an eagle's nest, holding the eaglet brood; and alongside stands the mother bird awaiting the arrival of her mate, who is approaching in rapid flight with a lamb in his talons.
This room is devoted to instruction concerning the effect of the Fall, and the state of the earth under the curse of God.
See pages 187, 188.
Photo by C. R. Savage Co., Salt Lake CityPhoto Copyright by Joseph F. Smith, Trustee-in-Trust.
PLATE 19
Plate 19.—The Terrestrial Room, Looking West
This spacious chamber, which is entered from the World Room last described, presents the appearance of combined richness and simplicity. The walls are hung with framed canvases, some of which are rare originals, others excellent copies, depicting incidents in the life of Christ, and scenes in Palestine. Near the east end of the room is a prayer-altar, on which are placed copies of the Holy Scriptures.
The room is all the more restful in its general effect by contrast with the scenes of turmoil and conflict which the World Room so strongly portrays. In this room instruction is given and lectures are delivered relating to the significance of the endowments, and the practical duties of life. It is sometimes designated as the Upper Lecture Room, but is also known as the Terrestrial Room.
See pages 188, 189.
Plate 20.—Terrestrial Room, Looking East Toward the Veil
This is the room shown in Plate 19, but here it is pictured from a point at the west end. The framed canvas on the right is the original painting by Girard depicting the scene of Joseph in prison, interpreting the portentous dreams of Pharaoh's butler and baker. A picture of the Holy Family occupies a prominent position at the east end, immediately above the Veil.
The Veil, which separates the Terrestrial Room from the room that typifies the Celestial state, is a portiere hung in four sections. The Veil is approached by a short flight of steps from the floor of the room.
See pages 188, 189.
Plate 21.—The Celestial Room, Looking East
The Veil of the Temple hangs between the Terrestrial Room last described and the Celestial Room shown in the accompanying picture. This is the largest of the ceremonial rooms, and of all it is the most splendidly finished. In area it is sixty by forty-five feet, and its height is thirty-four feet. Wall columns support entablatures from which spring ten arches immediately beneath the cornice. The ceiling is vaulted and panel; beams and cornices are carved to represent clusters of fruit and flowers. At the east end are large mirrors, and around the room, in the wall niches and recesses, are paintings and statuary. Three large portals on the south, each closed by a pair of sliding doors, open into the two sealing rooms and the Holy of Holies (See Plates 23, 24, and 27.) On the north side, not shown in the picture, are large casements, corresponding in position to the opposite portals; these are hung with portieres, which in material and color match the silken Veil.
See pages 189-191.
Plate 22.—The Celestial Room, Looking West Toward the Veil
This will be readily recognized as the Celestial Room illustrated by the last picture, Plate 21. The view here shown, however, is that obtained from the east end, as the observer looks toward the Veil of the Temple. The corner door-way on the left opens into the Upper Corridor at the top of the Grand Stairway, as is seen in Plate 14.
The Celestial Room is richly carpeted, and the movable furniture is all excellent in kind; the furnishings throughout harmonize with the splendid finish of ceiling and walls. Living plants are distributed about the room and the effect is that of beauty and completeness. The walls are of soft-brown color, while the columns are embellished in light-blue and gold.
See pages 189-191
Plate 23. — The Sealing Room for the Dead
Of the three small ceremonial rooms entered from the Celestial Room, this, the Sealing Room for the Dead, is reached first as one proceeds easterly from the Veil. This apartment is slightly raised above the floor of the large room, and is furnished in subdued color. At the altar in the fore-ground kneel the parties who appear as proxies for the dead. The art-window at the rear of the alcove represents the resurrected prophet, Moroni, in the act of delivering to the boy, Joseph Smith, the ancient record since translated by the power of God and published as the Book of Mormon. The event here depicted occurred on the 22d of September, 1827.
This room is reserved for the sacred ordinances of sealing in behalf of the dead, which ordinances comprise the sealing of husbands and wives and of parents and children.
See pages 191, 192.
Plate 24.—The Sealing Room for the Living
The most easterly of the three small rooms adjoining the Celestial Room is here shown. This is the Sealing Room for the Living, wherein is solemnized the holy rite of Celestial Marriage. Marriage ceremonies for the period of mortal life alone are not performed within the Temple. The parties who come to the House of the Lord to be wedded by the authority of the Holy Priesthood for time and eternity kneel at the altar shown in this picture and there enter into eternal covenant with each other. Here, also, living children who have been born outside the pale of Celestial wedlock, though within the legally constituted state of matrimony, may be sealed to their parents provided those parents have been first sealed to each other.
The room is finished in light tints and bright tone. The door in the recess affords admittance from an ante-room.
See page 192.
Plate 25.—Reception Room Adjoining Sealing
Room for the Living From the Upper Corridor, entrance to the Sealing Room for the Living is afforded through two small apartments, known as reception halls, waiting-rooms, or ante-rooms. It is possible, therefore, to reach the Sealing Room without entering the Celestial Room. This plate shows the inner of the two, with the door of the Sealing Room open; through this portal the altar is revealed, as well as a glimpse of the Celestial Room beyond.
See page 192.
Plate 26.—Outer Ante-Room
This cozy apartment is entered from the Upper Corridor and communicates by an inner door with the Reception Room shown in Plate 25. Like the preceding, this room is used for no ceremonial rites, and is utilized solely as an ante-chamber for those who await admittance to the Sealing Room within. Through the outer door, which stands open in the picture, appears part of the balustrade of the Grand Stairway.
See page 192.
Plate 27.—The Holy of Holies
This, the Holy of Holies of the Temple, is situated between the two sealing rooms already described; it is therefore the central of the three small rooms referred to as opening directly into the Celestial Room. It is the most elaborately finished of all the smaller apartments. A flight of six steps leads to the elevated floor of this room, and the portal is guarded by a pair of sliding doors, which in a measure correspond to the inner veil of the ancient sanctuaries.
The room is circular in form; and on the side opposite from the portal is a splendid art-window, picturing the visitation of the Eternal Father and His Son the Christ to the boy-prophet Joseph Smith. The event here delineated occurred in the early spring of 1820. (See "The Articles of Faith," I:12-14.)
Beneath the pictured scene is inscribed the forceful admonition of James, through the study of which the boy, Joseph Smith, was led to seek Divine aid:
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall he given him." (James 1:5.)
And below appears the utterance of one of the Celestial Personages:
"This is my Beloved Son; hear Him."
See pages 192-194.
Plate 28.—The Hall-Way on Third Floor
By way of this corridor, the several council rooms on the third floor of the Temple are reached. The picture is taken looking east along the corridor into the Dome Room, which is so named from its most prominent feature—that of a large central dome, which forms the ceiling of the Holy of Holies.
On the north of this hall-way, or on the left as the observer stands, are two doorways opening into the Council Room of the First Presidency and Twelve Apostles; on the opposite side are the entrances to the Council Room of the Twelve, the Council Room of the Seventy, and the Elders' Room.
See pages 194, 195.
Plate 29.—The Elders' Room
This apartment, furnished with chairs, table, and an altar for prayer, is provided for the use of the presiding Councils of the quorums of Elders belonging to the near-by stakes. The room is reserved for devotional service only.
See page 195
​Page:The House of the Lord.djvu/316 ​The seven presidents of the first quorum of the Seventies constitute a presiding council, having jurisdiction over all other quorums of Seventies in the Church. The room shown herewith is devoted to the use of this presiding body, which is known as the First Council of the Seventy. The room is furnished to accommodate the seven presidents and a cler or recorder. At stated intervals the Council meets here for devotional service, and to consider matters pertaining to the spiritual upbuilding of the quorums in their charge. Business sessions are held at the offices of the Council in another building.
See page 195.
Plate 31.—High Council Chamber
The presidency of each Stake of Zion comprises three high priests,–a president and two counselors. To assist the presidency in conducting the affairs of the stake, and having specific duties as a judicial body, are twelve other high priests, duly chosen and set apart, who constitute the High Council of the stake. The Stake Presidency and the High Council meet as one body to consider matters pertaining to the welfare of the stake, or as a court to hear appeals from the Bishop's court of any ward within the stake, or to exercise original and initiative jurisdiction.
The room provided in the Temple for the use of Stake Presidencies and High Councils is shown in the accompanying plate. The presiding bodies of several stakes have the use of this chamber, the time of occupancy being regulated by rule. No Church trials are held, nor is other procedure of a secular or temporal nature here conducted. This is strictly a room for devotion and spiritual instruction. A rear view of the Memorial Window (Plate 34) is presented in this room.
See page 196.
Plate 32.—Council Room of the Twelve Apostles
The spacious chamber here pictured is exclusively devoted to the use of the Council of the Twelve Apostles. The Council assembles at stated intervals in regular session, and whenever summoned by the President of the Twelve for special sittings.
The room is supplied with twelve chairs of a kind, beside which there are other chairs for recorders, also a table, a desk, and an altar used in prayer. On the walls are hung oil portraits of the First Presidency, the Twelve Apostles, and the Presiding Patriarch.
On the north side are two doorways opening upon the hallway or corridor shown in Plate 28; on the west is a doorway communicating with the Council Room of the Seventy (Plate 30). A large circular mirror adorns the north wall.
See page 195.
Plate 33.—Council Room of the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles
This room is forty by twenty-eight feet and is furnished with seats for the First Presidency of the Church, the Twelve Apostles, the Presiding Patriarch and a recorder, seventeen in all. As the picture shows, the chairs of the Apostles are arranged in order around the altar; the seats of the First Presidency and the Patriarch form a line alongside the wall.
The walls support several paintings by Alfred Lambourne, among which are his Hill Cumorah, and Adam-ondi-Ahman—replicas of canvases hung in the Celestial Room: and beside these are several scenes illustrative of the life and the atoning death of Christ. A few portraits of Church leaders now deceased also appear; prominent among these are paintings of Joseph and Hyrum Smith and Brigham Young. In this chamber the presiding councils of the Church meet as appointed. The chamber connects with an ante-room in which is set the art window shown in Plate 34.
See pages 195, 196.
Plate 34.—The Memorial Window
In a small apartment adjoining the Council Room of the First Presidency and the Twelve, there is the large memorial window pictured herewith. The Temple is shown as it stands with the inscription "Holiness to the Lord," appearing as in the clouds above the great building. On the left-hand panel, beneath the bordered escutcheon, we read:
Corner stone laid April 6, 1853, by President Brigham Young, Assisted by his Counsellors, Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards.
And on the right-hand panel, similarly place, is the inscription:
Dedicated April 6, 1893, by President Wilford Woodruff, Assisted by his Counsellors, George Q. Cannon, Joseph F. Smith.
See pages 136, 137, and 196.
Plate 35.—General View of Main Assembly Room
The fourth floor of the Temple is occupied entirely by the Main Assembly Room and its vestries. The room pictured in the accompanying plate is one hundred and twenty feet long, eighty feet wide, and thirty-six feet high. At either end is a series of pulpits with terraced platforms.
The body of the room is furnished with reversible seats by means of which the audience may conveniently face either stand as occasion requires. At the time this picture was taken, these seats had been removed, and only the fixed lecture chairs on the end platforms and in the gallery remained. The view here shown is that of an observer looking toward the west, at which end is situated the stand devoted to officers of the Aaronic Priesthood.
See pages 197, 198.
Plate 36.—Stand and Pulpits for Melchisedek Priesthood in Main Assembly Room
The view presented herewith shows with some detail, one of the end stands in the Main Assembly Room already described. The stand is really a series of four terraces, on each of which is a central lectern with a smaller table on either side. The highest terrace is under a canopy, on the front of which is inscribed the particular order of Priesthood to which the stand belongs. The accompanying picture shows the stand at the east end of the great room, which is reserved for the officers of the Higher or Melchisedek Priesthood.
The lecterns with the smaller book-tables and all allied wood-work of the stand are hand carved. The room is finished in white and gold.
See pages 197, 198.
Photo by C. R. Savage Co.Photo Copyright by Joseph F. Smith, Trustee-in-Trust.
PLATE 37
Plate 37.—Spiral Stairway in Main Assembly Room
Access to the gallery of the Main Assembly Room is afforded by four stairways, one in each corner of the great hall. These four stairways are of similar design. Each is a graceful spiral, winding about a central post. This picture shows the stairway in the southwest corner of the Main Assembly Room.
The picture is of interest in illustrating the fact that all parts of the great Temple are finished with thoroughness and care. There is no neglected corner. It would seem, indeed, that the builders had well learned the poet's lesson:
See page 198.
Photo by C. R. Savage Co. Photo Copyright by Joseph F. Smith, Trustee in Trust.
PLATE 38
Plate 38.—One of the Great Granite Stairways
Each corner of the great Temple is marked by a large tower; and in each of these four corner towers is a stairway reaching from basement to roof, and every step is of solid granite. A central column of granite four feet in diameter supports, at the inner end, the one hundred and seventy-seven granite steps. Each step is six feet six inches long and weighs over seventeen hundred pounds; this amounts to over one and a quarter million pounds as the weight of the seven hundred and eight steps in the four tower stairways.
See pages 198, 199.
Plate 39.—Temple Block, Salt Lake City
The city square or block upon which stands the great Temple is occupied in part by other buildings devoted to Church purposes; among these are the Assembly Hall, the Tabernacle, the Bureau of Information, and, on the north half, therefore not shown in the picture, the Temple Annex, the Conservatory, and other minor buildings.
Temple Block is a square of ten acres; it was laid off in 1847, and reserved for the uses to which it has since been put; this was but a few days after the arrival of the "Mormon" Pioneers in the valley of the Great Salt Lake. The entire block is surrounded by a wall fifteen feet high, consisting of a base of cut sandstone, courses of adobes or sun-dried brick, capped by a sandstone coping; the adobes are plastered on both sides. The block has been beautified by the best art of the landscape gardner, and with its wealth of trees, shrubs and flowers, presents a scene of attractive beauty.
Plate 40.—The Tabernacle—Exterior
By architects and others this building has been pronounced one of the most remarkable auditoriums ever erected. As the picture shows, it it simply a great dome supported by buttressed walls. It was in course of erection from July 1864 to October 1867.
The immense dome-roof is a lattice-work construction and is self-sustaining. The roof span is without a single pillar. More remarkable still, the roof is built entirely of wood and was constructed without nails or metal spikes. The enormous beams and trusses were held together by wooden pegs and raw-hide thongs. While the Tabernacle was in course of construction, iron nails and spikes were obtainable only as they were brought across the plains by wagon and team, and the high cost prevented their use.
Many modern buildings present larger roof spans, but such are generally constructed of metal. The roof covering of the Tabernacle consisted originally of wooden shingles; these have been replaced, however, by sheet metal. The building is two hundred and fifty feet long and onte hundred and fifty feet in greatest width; from floor to ceiling at the middle the distance is seventy fee; and the net work of beams andtrusses between ceiling and roof is ten feet high.
See pages 203–205.
Plate 41.—The Tabernacle—Interior
A gallery thirty-six feet wide extends around the interior of the Tabernacle except at the west end, where the gallery gives place to the great organ and a terraced platform providing accommodations for Church officials and the choir. In the choir space, seats are provided for three hundred singers, with other seats for nearly as many more in the adjacent sections of the spacious gallery. The building, as a whole, affords searing room for nearly nine thousands persons, but audiences much larger than this have assembled on many occasions. The acoustic properties of the building are surprisingly good.
The great organ occupies nearly a thousand square feet of floor space, and towers to a height of forty-eight feet. The instrument is, in reality, a combination of five individual organs,—Solo, Swell, Great, Choir, and Pedal organs. To operate the bellows an electric motor of ten horse-power is employed and the air capacity is about five thousand cubic feet per minute. The instrument comprises one hundred and ten stops, and over thirty-six hundred pipes. The pipes range from a fraction of an inch to thirty-two feet in speaking length. This splendid instrument, which at the time of its construction was the largest organ in the country, is the product of local talent and all its wood-parts are of native material. The organ as it stands represents a cost of over one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars.
See pages 204, 205
Plate 42.—Statue of Joseph Smith, the Prophet
Life-size statues of Joseph and Hyrum Smith are seen on Temple Block. On the front tablet of the pedestal supporting the bronze figure of Joseph, we read:
JOSEPH SMITH
the prophet of the new dispensation of the gospel of jesus christ our lord. he was born at sharon, vermont, on the 23rd of december, 1805; and suffered martyrdom for the word of god and the testimony of jesus at carthage, illinois, on the 27th of june, 1844.
HIS VISION OF GOD
i saw two personages whose glory and brightness defy all description. one of them spake unto me and said:
THIS IS MY BELOVED SON: HEAR HIM.
i asked which of all the sects was right and which i should join. i was answered i must join none of them; they were all wrong; they teach for doctrine the commandments of men; i received a promise that the fulness of the gospel would at some future time be made known to me.
THE BOOK OF MORMON
this book was revealed to him, and he translated it by the gift and power of god. it is an inspired history of ancient america, and contains the fulness of the gospel. it is the american testament of our lord and savior jesus christ.
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH
joseph smith received divine authority through the ministration of angels to teach the gospel and administer the ordinances thereof. he established again in the earth the church of jesus christ, organizing it by the will and commandment of god on the 6th day of april, 1830.
he also received commission to gather israel and establish zion on this land of america; to erect temples and perform ordinances therein both for the living and the dead; and prepare the way for the glorious coming of the lord jesus christ to reign on earth.
The tablet on the back of the pedestal bears the following inscription:
TRUTH-GEMS
FROM THE TEACHINGS OF JOSEPH SMITH
THE GLORY OF GOD IS INTELLIGENCE.
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR A MAN TO BE SAVED IN IGNORANCE.
WHATEVER PRINCIPLE OF INTELLIGENCE WE ATTAIN UNTO IN THIS LIFE WILL RISE WITH US IN THE RESURRECTION.
THERE IS A LAW IRREVOCABLY DECREED IN HEAVEN BEFORE THE FOUNDATIONS OF THIS WORLD, UPON WHICH ALL BLESSINGS ARE PREDICATED; AND WHEN WE OBTAIN ANY BLESSING FROM GOD IT IS BY OBEDIENCE TO THAT LAW ON WHICH IT IS PREDICATED.
THIS IS THE WORK AND GLORY OF GOD: TO BRING TO PASS THE IMMORTALITY AND ETERNAL LIFE OF MAN.
ADAM FELL THAT MAN MIGHT BE: AND MEN ARE THAT THE MIGHT HAVE JOY.
THE INTELLIGENCE OF SPIRITS HAD NO BEGINNING, NEITHER WILL IT HAVE AN END. JESUS WAS IN THE BEGINNING WITH THE FATHER: MAN WAS ALSO IN THE BEGINNING WITH GOD. INTELLIGENCE, OR THE LIGHT OF TRUTH, WAS NOT CREATED OR MADE, NEITHER INDEED CAN BE.
THE SPIRIT AND BODY IS THE SOUL OF MAN; AND THE RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD IS THE REDEMPTION OF THE SOUL.
"IT IS THE FIRST PRINCIPLE OF THE GOSPEL TO KNOW FOR A CERTAINTY THE CHARACTER OF GOD; AND TO KNOW THAT MAN, [AS MOSES], MAY CONVERSE WITH HIM AS ONE MAN CONVERSES WITH ANOTHER."
Plate 43.—Statue of Hyrum Smith, the Patriarch
The statue of Patriarch Hyrum Smith, like that of his brother Joseph, the Prophet, has been moved from its first place of installation in the granite niche at the east Temple entrance and is now upon the open grounds. Both statues are set on pedestals of Utah granite, which pedestals with their bases have a total height of four feet four inches. The figures were modeled by Mahonri M. Young, a sculptor of Utah nativity. On the front face of the pedestal supporting the statue of the Patriarch is a bronze plate on which appears the following:
HYRUM SMITH
THE PATRIARCH AND A WITNESS OF THE BOOK OF MORMON
AN ELDER BROTHER AND THE STEADFAST FRIEND AND COUNSELOR OF JOSEPH SMITH, THE PROPHET. BORN AT TUNDRIDGE, VERMONT, FEBRUARY 9TH, 1800; SUFFERED MARTYRDOM WITH THE PROPHET AT CARTHAGE, ILLINOIS, ON THE 27TH OF JUNE, 1844.
THE FRIENDSHIP OF THE BROTHERS HYRUM AND JOSEPH SMITH IS FOREMOST AMONG THE FEW GREAT FRIENDSHIPS OF THE WORLD'S HISTORY. THEIR NAMES WILL BE CLASSED AMONG THE MARTYRS FOR RELIGION.
THE BOOK OF MORMON—THE PLATES OF WHICH HYRUM SMITH BOTH SAW AND HANDLED; THE REVELATIONS IN THE BOOK OF DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS; THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS THESE, TO BRING THEM FORTH FOR THE SALVATION OF THE WORLD, COST THE BEST BLOOD OF THE 19TH CENTURY.
"I COULD PRAY IN MY HEART THAT ALL MEN WERE LIKE MY BROTHER HYRUM, WHO POSSESSES THE MILDNESS OF A LAMB AND THE INTEGRITY OF JOB; AND, IN SHORT, THE MEEKNESS AND HUMILITY OF CHRIST. I LOVE HIM WITH THAT LOVE THAT IS STRONGER THAN DEATH." JOSEPH SMITH.
"IF EVER THERE WAS AN EXEMPLARY, HONEST AND VIRTUOUS MAN, AN EMBODIMENT OF ALL THAT IS NOBLE IN THE HUMAN FORM, HYRUM SMITH WAS THE REPRESENTATIVE." PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR.
AS HE SHARED IN THE LABORS, SO DOES HE SHARE IN THE HONOR AND GLORY OF THE NEW DISPENSATION WITH HIS PROPHET BROTHER.
IN LIFE THEY WERE NOT DIVIDED; IN DEATH THEY WERE NOT SEPARATED; IN GLORY THEY ARE ONE
Plate 44.—The St. George Temple
The Temple at St. George, Washington county, Utah, was the first Temple built and opened to sacred service in what is now the State of Utah. The building is one hundred and forty-two feet long, ninety-six feet wide, and eighty feet high. The tower vane is one hundred and seventy-five feet from the ground. It is built of red standstone with a foundation of black volcanic rock. The building has been plastered and whitened on the outside and stands in striking contrast to the red rock and soil of the vicinity. The cost of the building was considerably over half a million dollars. It was built through free-will offerings of the people and by voluntary labor. The ground was broken for the foundation in November, 1871, and the Temple was dedicated in April, 1877. In common with other Utah Temples this is supplemented by an ante-building known as the Annex, which was built in 1882. The Annex comprises boiler and machinery rooms, recorder's offices and other minor apartments. The Temple provides rooms and equipment for all classes of ordinance work provided for in the greater structure in Salt Lake City.
See pages 209-216.
Photo by C. R. Savage Co., Salt Lake City
PLATE 45
Plate 45.—The Logan Temple
This, the most northerly of the Houses of the Lord in Utah, is situated at Logan, Cache county. Excavation work preparatory to laying the foundation was begun in 1877; corner stones were laid in September of the same year; and the Temple was dedicated to sacred service in May, 1884.
The building is one hundred and seventy-one feet long, ninety-five feet wide, and eighty-six feet high to the square; the east tower is one hundred and seventy feet high. The walls are of dark colored silicious limestone, with trimmings of lighter tint. There are five full stories within which are found rooms corresponding to all the essential apartments, both for general and ceremonial purposes, as described in detail in connection with the Temple in Salt Lake City.
The secondary building, corresponding to the Annex, at first known as the Extension, was built before the main structure; it is eighty feet by thirty-six and lies north of the Temple.
See pages 216-223.
Photo by West Coast Art Co., Los Angeles.Photo Copyright by same.Used by permission.
PLATE 46
Plate 46.—The Manti Temple
The site for the Manti Temple was selected in June, 1875; excavation work was begun in April, 1877; the corner stones were laid two years later; and the building was dedicated May 21, 1888.
The Temple is built on rock in place and consists of material taken from the very deposit on which it is founded. This is an excellent variety of oolite of light cream color. The building is one hundred and seventy-one feet long, ninety-five feet wide, and eighty-two feet from the ground to the square. The tower at the east has a height of one hundred and seventy-nine feet, that at the west is ten feet lower; and each of these towers is thirty feet square at the base.
The Temple occupies a position of eminence and is approached by a stairway twenty feet wide, comprising one hundred and twenty-five steps. The hill slope by which the Temple is approached is carpeted by a luxuriant lawn beautified with trees and flowers; each tree is set in a great flower-pot hollowed out for its accommodation in the solid rock. The soil for trees, grass and flowers had to be brought from a distance, as the rocky hill-slope was absolutely bare.
See pages 223-232.