The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-04-27
The New Mormon Temple


ham Young, the Mormon prophet"
and leader, one summer evening forty.
SIN years ago, accompanying the deCla.
alton by thrustlng his cane deep in the
soil, where It remained until the build
ing was actually begun, six years
later.
The Mormons arrived in the valley
OF the Great Salt Lake in July, iS47.
Wearied with the long journey across
the then trackless praires, the little
band were looking for the most desira.
BILE location for their future homes
Brigham Young, MILFORD Woodruff,
now the President of the Mormon
Church, and a few other were recon.
NOTHING for the most favorable places.
Upon arriving at the spot upon which
the stately ediice now stands, Brig
ham halted, and, after gazing at the
Shlmmering waters of the distant lake,
the snow capped peaks, and the broad
valley in silence for a moment he
seemed to catch CLEAN of inspiration,
and, by the act and words referred to
began the work which has Just been
completed.
AT that early date but little more
than selecting the site could be done.
The small band which had braved the
perils of the "Great American Desert"
found themselves in a country where
only by the most dligent effort could
they hope to maintain themselves. The
first decisive step was taken at the
General Assembly of the Church held
in April, 1851, when it was voted to
build a temple. The material agreed
upon was adobe, the only material
available at that time; but this was
soon changed to granite, of which an
abundant supply was discovered in
Little Cottonwood Canon, seventeen
miles below the town. Two years later,
in February, ground was broken and
the foundation begun. On April 9th,
Just forty years ago, the four corner
stones were laid with great pomp and
ceremony. From that time to the
present, with the exception of one de-
lay caused by the approach of the
army under General Johnson, the work
has progressed as fast as the means at
hand would permit.
As an architectural design this lem
pie is one of the most wonderful in the
world. 1t is not duplicated by any
thing, ancient or modern. The plans
were drawn by Mormon named Tru-
man O. Angel, and he has been credit.
ed with having designed the edifce;
but there are not a few among the
members of the association who declare
that Brigham was the real architect, and
that Angel merely perfected the ideas
of his superior The structure is an i'm
posing one. Situated on an eminence,
1t commands a full view of the city
proper, and is readily perceived from
any point in the town. Being con
structed OF a variety of granite almost
while, 1t looks in the distance as i'll
built of pure marble. The casual
observer, who glances at the structure
while in close proximity, is apt to I'M
derestlmate the proportions, and 90
away with feeling that he has not
seen anything remarkable; but a close
inspection works wonders, and after a
halt-hOurS survey one is always ready
to change the opinion first expressed.
The building is best appreciated at
distance of ten miles from the city.
Though not any higher than some of
the leading business houses, except in
situation, it is a noticeable fact that
when all the other buildings seem but
confused mass before the eye, the
Temple stands out prominent in every
feature.
The entire length is 1867 feet,
width 90 feet. As will be seen by the
there are six towers, three
on the east end and three on the west.
The entrance is on the east end, and
the main tower there is somewhat
higher than the western one, the former
being 222 e feet, the latter 2I9 feet.
The height Of the building proper is
1917 feet The walls are massive
from foundation to turret. The former
is 10 feet in depth and thickness, and
all the stones are laid in cement. The
towers are cylindrical inside, IT feet in
diameter, and each has five orna-
mental windows. The roof is fiat, and
covers with the towers an area of
2I,85o feet.
Surmounting the towers, excepting
the eastern main tower, are lights con
nected with an independent electric
light plant, and when at night these
are illuminated the effect is more than
pleasing; it is magnificent.
The main tower on the east end is
by a work of art in the
shape of the angel "Moroni," the spirit
that appeared to Joseph Smith, in the |
bill Cumorah, and informed him as to |
he location of the golden plates which
according to the doctrine of
he Church, the ''new and everlasting
gospel" This statue is Of copper I2R |
eet in height, and was made by Salt
Lake artist named Dallin, a young
nan who has achieved something of a
not only at home, but
abroad 1t is gilded over with pure
5old'leaf, and surmounting the crown
S 100 candle-power incandescent
light, which. after evening is sufficient