The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-04-15

without the opportunity of personally re-
ceiving in the flesh the desirable ordinations.
This accounts for the activity and per-
sistency of the Saints in building Temples.
Among Temple ordinances are the seating
for eternity, by Divine authority, of family
relationships, and those of husband and
wife and parents and children; also, bap-
tisms and various rites in behalf of the
dead. 1t is the rule that only those who
have become Disciples of Christ, and seek
to live sincere Christian lives, will be ad-
milted Ito Temples They are places of
worship for those only who are members
of the Mormon Church, which claims to
be the Church of Christ, and the only one
on Garth existing by His authority and
directed by revelation from Him. They
look upon the Temple in Salt Loke City
as the one described in the first two verses
of the fourth chapter Of Micah. The
bnilding is provided with all the modern
appliances for lighting, heating, ventilating
and sanitary arrangements.
THE CEREMONIES.
1t is anticipated that the ceremonies will
extend over period of IA days, but the
chief interest centered in the day S pro-
ceedings. The assembly room, in the
fourth story, s-the largest in the building,
and it was in this that she services were
conducted 1t accommodated about $500
persons, or 5000 persons at the two sessions
to be held each day. Arrangements have
been perfected TO admit between 10000
aud 10000 persons before the services are
at an end, and there is a strong probability
from official representatives that even the
latter number will be exceeded.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION.
The prayer of dedication of the Temple
thanked God for the raising up of the
Prophet Joseph Smith, for the Book of
Mormon, for the organization of the Church
and for the two Temples heretofore built;
for Brigham Young, John Taylor and for
the present head of the Church; blesses
God for the completion of the Temple and
prays that whoever enters there may feel
the holy influences 1t offers the Tem-
pie to the Lord as whole and in all its
separate parts; asks blessing upon all who
administer therein and who have labored
thereon. Praises God for blessings enjoyed;
invokes blessing on all in authority in the
Church and the several grades of officials,
seven by name, aud on saints in the home;
on the youth of Zion, on Sunday schools
and other organizations, relief societies,
etc., and prays for new avenues whereby
the needy may obtain livelihood by hon
est industry 1t asks loving kindness for
the Lord toward stricken people of the
House of Judah 1t asks God to remem-
ber the dwindling Indians and that they
may be made "a white and delightsome
race" 1t thanks God for this Govern
ment and asks blessings on its officers.
'0ur hearts are filled with gratitude to
Thee for Thy kindness to us in softening
the hearts of our fellow citizens and people
of the nation towards us; that which Thou
hast done has been marvellous in our eyes.
We thank Thee that Thou didst move
upon the heart of the President of our
nation to issue a general amnesty; that
Thou hast removed prejudice and misun-
derstanding from the minds of many people
concerning us and our purpose and that
they are disposed to treat us as fellow-citi-
zens and not as enemies.
1t prays for the Kings and Princes of
the earth and for all who are degraded and
crushed 1t asks that the people may
avoid bitterness of party strife and repent
of sins in this direction. 1t asks that the
people may be helped in trouble and afflic-
ton when they turn their faces toward this
house and wanderers be brought home in
remembering it, 1t prays for higher faith
and closes blessing God for great goodness.
The services in the Temple were as
secret as Masonic Lodge. The morning
services lasted till II o'clock. Meantime
no one but high dignitaries of the Church
were admitted once the services had begun.