The Placer herald., 1865-07-29
The Great Mormon Temple.

The work commenced many years ago, but
was arrested in the year 1857, at the time
when the Mormon exhibited spirit of sub.
ordination towards the officers of the general
Government, and General Johnson was sent
with a sufficient military force to compel due
respect to the authorities of the U. States
All work was then suspended on the temple
and preparations were made by the Mormons
to burn their town and remove to some re-
mote place Of settlement These troubles,
however, were pacificated, and matters re.
sumed their wonted aspect. But the archi
tect of the temple, for some reason, was dis
sa tisfed with the work done, and the entire
massive foundations were taken up and the
stone relaid. | am not sufficiently familiar
with the technics of architecture to describe
with innumerable arches, upright and rev ersed,
Il trust no architect will criiicise that expires
sion. What | mean by it is, that The arches
of immense strength, are both right side up.
Isn't that plain p The stones composing
these foundations are large, square blocks Of
granite, brought fifteen miles, and it is of
similar stone that the entire structure is to
be built. 1t covers large space, say 200 by
100. ! saw an outside view of the upper
portion. The sty le Of architecture is some-
what novel. The front view shows three tow
ers, the centre more elevated than those at
the side. The rear end presents a view of
three towers also, the side walls being
strengthened with powerful abtftmens cover
ed with pinnacles. The walls are lofty, and
the entire air Of the building, as represented
in the view saw, is imposing. There is no
excess Of ornament, All substantial, dignifed
and impressive This building is not for the
use Of the congregation of the people, but
for the priestly ordinance Of the church. The
people in their assembIages will meet in
another building in The rear, of which shall
speak.
The work on the temple building appears
to be suspended now. saw no workmen
and | was informed that no definite period
could be assigned for its completion. Immel
diatey in the rear of it is the beginning Of
the tabernacle, a building iAtended for the
gathering of The people. 1t is projected on
a large scale, and on a very peculiar design
in marked contrast with the temple
design. 1t is to be an oval bulding-egg
shaped. | was told that the interior would
correspond to the shape of an egg. Atpres
ent fifty-two massive abutmeats Of solid
masonry ten bv four, show the exterior line
of structure From the top Of these abut
men,s the oval roof will spring. The floor
will be oval downwards, seated with rising
seats, as on an ampitheatre. There will be no
close built side walls As the building is
intended for the vast congregations, ventia
ton and lioht are looked to, and the building
will be nearly i'll windows and doors. Ii
covers a space Of two hundred and twenty
five feet deep by one hundred and seventy
five feet wide, and is calculated to hold ten
thousand people. Here the preachers and
elders will enighten the people and their
united songs will 90 up. The cost Of these
buildings will be immense. But all is cons
tribued by the members of the Mormon
church in time and money Their system Of
ttbings is adequate to the work. When |
asked "What is the estimated cost of the tenn
pie and tabernacle!' was informed with
smile, "We do not calculate things in that
wav. When it is decided to do anything
among us it is done without calculation of
cost, each doing his part" l am informed
that President Young himself is the superin
tendent and actual architect of the buildings
Every stone in them be has inspected and
measured with a tape line, and assigned to
its place. | am also informed that it is the
purpose of the President, with a view to
facilitate the purpose Of the enterprise and
to tighten the heavy labor, to undertake the
gigantic and costly business Of turning a
neighboriug river from its course, and carry.
ng its waters over to the mountain quarry,
whence the gigantic blocks are obtained, and
thus supplying large canal, he intends con.
structng for the purpose of floating the
heavy stones up to the very doors Of the
temple. The work already done here, under
bis direction shows that he is capable of doing
this. lie has energy of conception and
strength of purpose sufficient for Al! such
daring works.
Rock TsIAND TO RE A NATIONAL TRoPHY