Temple
Square in SAlT LAKE CITY
Sea Gull Monument
Temple Square in Salt Lake City EMPLE SQUARE attracts travelers from all over the world. More than a million people pass through its gates in a year. Some come to look upon the remarkable buildings found here, others are curious to learn the truth of stories they have heard concerning the "Mormons," and many come because they have been told that this is one of those unique places that no traveler should miss. Visitors from all of the states in the American Union and from many foreign countries have signed the Temple Square register in a single day. Truly this has become one of America's outstanding places of tourist interest.
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EMPLE SQUARE is a ten acre block in Salt Lake City, the point from which all streets of the city are numbered, east, west, north, and south. Although in the heart of the business section, it is noted for an atmosphere of quiet and repose. This delightful contrast with the noise of the street results largely from the high wall which entirely surrounds the ~ square. Beautifully landscaped grounds and solid, majestic buildings also contribute to this atmosphere. Here are found the historic Tabernacle and 'l E:mp .. e, as well as other places of interest, including the Assembly Hall, various monuments , the oldest house now standing in Salt Lake City, a bureau of information , and a museum. Each of these has a peculiar significance, and interwoven in their story is the history of Salt Lake City and of the State of Utah and of the ~ntire intermounta in west. It is one of the epics of America. It is the story of the "Mormon" Pioneers.
6/he 6fabemacle LTHOUGH the Tabernacle has enjoyed worldwide interest since its completion, its fame has increased in recent years by reason of the numerous nationwide radio broadcasts which have originated beneath its great oval roof.
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TEMP LE SQUA RE The Taber nacle is 250 feet long by 150 feet wide and 80 feet high. The massiv e roof, suppo rted only by the great woode n arches which span the width of the buildi ng, is of specia l intere st, partic ularly in view of the fact that it was constr ucted at a time and under condit ions that preclu ded the use of steel girder s and tie rods. It is in reality a great bridge work of timber s, lattice d and pinned togeth er with large woode n pins. This truss- work occup ies a space of ten feet from the inside plaste red ceiling to the outsid e roofin g. The roof rests like a great invert ed bowl on 44 pillars or buttre sses of cut sandst one mason ry, each nine feet from the outsid e to the inside of the buildi ng, three feet in thickn ess, and from fourte en to twent y feet high. The spaces betwe en the buttre sses are occupied for the most part by large doors, openin g out, permi tting rapid egress from the buildi ng.
Tabern acle Under Constru ction
ONST RUCT ION on the Taber nacle was commence d in 1863. At that time Salt Lake City was an isolate d pionee r comm unity, a thousa nd miles from the fronti er settlem ents of Misso uri and 800 miles from the Pacific Coast. Stagec oach and ox team afford ed the only means of transp ortatio n. Yet in this wilder ness fronti er the "Morm ons" set about constr ucting this monum ental house of worsh ip. The buildi ng was compl eted suffici ently to accom modat e the Gener al Confe rence of the Churc h held in Octob er, 1867.
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IN SALT LAKE CITY The spacious gallery, forming a giant U around three sides of the auditorium , was built in 1870. This served to give the effect of diminishin g the height of the ceiling and to increase the seating capacity of the building. The acoustic qualities of the Tabernacl e have become world famed. A pin dropped near the pulpit can be heard distinctly in the opposite end of the auditorium , some 200 feet away. Since its completio n the Tabernacl e has accommodated most of the General Conferenc es of the Church, as well as numerous other religious gatherings . It seats about 8,000, although many more have been accommod ated on occasion. But it has been more than a religious center; it has served as a remarkab le cultural influence. The great artists of the world have sung and played here and leading figures have here spoken, including outstandin g clergymen of other faiths and every President of the United States since the turn of the century except President Coolidge.
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O LESS famous than the building are its organ and the Tabernacl e Choir, heard for many years over nationwid e networks. Like the Tabernacl e itself, the original organ was a product of pioneer days. Behind its constructi on is a story of artistic craftsman ship and persevera nce in the face of great obstacles. Brigham Young asked Joseph Ridges, an experienc ed organ builder who had joined the Church in Australia, to construct an instrumen t that would be a fitting complement to the building then under constructi on. Considera ble difficulty was experienc ed in finding suitable timber. At length a tall, straight grained pine was found some 300 miles to the south. This was hauled to the Valley by ox team and laboriousl y shaped by skilled artisans. So remarkab le an instrumen t, constructe d in the midst of the wildernes s, was an object of marvel to early day tlavelers who often broke their journey from the Missouri River to the Pacific Coast to rest in Salt Lake City. Looked back upon from our time, it betokens the philosoph y of its builders who, while struggling to wrest a living from the desert, neglected neither the spiritual nor cultural aspects of life. -;5-
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IN SALT LAKE CITY With improved technique in organ construction, the instrument has b een renovated and enlarged several times. New extensions have been built on each side, making the present organ about thirty feet wider than the original instrum ent. While the old mechanism has been changed, many of the original pipes are still in use . As r ebuilt in 1948-49, there are eight sections in the organ, comprising nearly 11,000 pipes. There are 188 sets of pipes, 158 stops, and 27 couplers. The present console has five manuals. Eminent organ authorities consider this instrument to be one of the finest in the world. HE Tabernacle Choir is likewise of early day origin. It was organized under the direction of Brigham Young to furnish music for the general gatherings of the Church. Through the years its renown and influence have steadily increased . In addition to its Tabernacle service it has taken numerous concert tours and has been widely acclaimed for the extent of its repertoire and the quality of its rendition. It is by means of radio, however , that it is most widely heard. Since 1929 it has continuously presented a nationwide weekly broadcast which has won millions of regular listeners. The Choir consists of some 375 members, none of whom is paid for his services.
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HE most imposing structure on Temple Square, and perhaps the most famed building in the West, is the great Temple. This is but one of fifteen temples which have been constructed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter - day Saints since its organization , 13 of which are in use today. Five of these Temples are outside of the Continental U.S. and are located in Canada, Hawaii, N e w Zealand,
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Angel Moroni Statue
TEMPL E SQUA RE England and Switzerland. The Salt Lake Temple enjoys a peculia r fame by reason of its history, the purpose s to which it is dedicat ed, and its striking architec ture. The "Morm on" Pioneer s arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847. They had come to this inhospita ble country to seek refuge from the persecu tions which had trouble d them continu ally up until that time. Four days after their arrival, their leader, Brigham Young, walked to a spot of ground betwee n two forks of a small mounta in stream and putting his cane to the ground, declare d, "Here will be the temple of our God!" This was before a cabin or any kind of structu re stood in the valley. A stake was driven at the site by Wilford Woodru ff, one of Brigham Young' s associat es , and the ten acres now comprising Temple Square became the center of the city which was platted shortly thereaf ter. Constru ction of the Temple was commen ced in 1853. A granite quarry was opened some twenty miles to the southea st. The only means of transpo rtation was by ox team, and in the early days of constru ction three to four yoke of oxen require d three to four days to make a round trip transpo rting one block of found ation stone. Throug h the years the work progres sed slowly but with great care. A railroad later supplan ted the ox team. On April 6, 1893, forty years after the cornerstone was laid, the structu re was complet ed, and with a great, reveren t celebra tion it was dedicat ed as the House of the Lord. Prior to that time visitors were shown through it, but since its dedicat ion only members of the Church in good standin g have been permitted to enter. The practice of opening these buildin gs to visitors prior to their dedicati on to sacred ordinan ce work has been followe d in all other temples now in operatio n by the Church . HE Temple has a foundat ion sixteen feet wide and sixteen feet deep. The baseme nt walls are nine feet thick, and the upper walls are six feet thick. The length of the buildin g is 186% feet, the width 118% feet. The east center tower is 210 feet high to the top of the stonewo rk, and surmou nting this is the statue of an angel, 12 feet, 5% inches high. The west center tower is 204 feet high. Flankin g both the east
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IN SALT LAKE CITY and west center towers are towers of lesser height. The figure of the angel with a trumpet, standing on the capstone of the tallest tower, is the work of Cyrus E. Dallin, famous Utah-born sculptor, and represents Moroni, last in a series of ancient American ¡ prophets whose writings constitute the Book of Mormon. The figure is symbolic of the fulfilment of the prophecy of John the Revelator: "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation , and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come; and worship him that made heaven , and earth , and the sea, and the fountains of waters." (Revelation 14:6, 7.)
!Jhe !J)urpose of !Jempfes
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LL work in the Temple is based on the conviction that life beyond the grave is as much a certainty as is mortality. The majestic building on Temple Square and all of the other Temples built by the Church at great cost and untold sacrifice are tangible evidence of the assurance which members of the Church have that we go on living as distinct personalities after death and that in the resurrection we shall again take up our bodies and continue to live as individuals. The various instructions given and the ordinances performed in Temples lead to a loftier expression of personal Christianity and an increased understanding of the eternal purposes of God with reference to His children. Among these ordinances is marriage for eternity. When the Savior was upon the earth He commissioned His apostles with power to bind in heaven whatsoever they bound on earth. (Matthew 18: 18.) The Latter-day Saints believe that this authority, the commission divinely given to man to act in God's name, has been restored in our time, is held by the Priesthood of the Church, and is exercised in the Temples. Under its power man and wife are united in marriage not alone for this life under legal authority, but for all eternity. The man and woman so married know that while death may separate them and their children for a season,
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TEMPLE SQUARE they shall again be united in the life beyond the grave and that the family shall remain an eternal unit. NDER the power of this same Priesthood the blessings of the gospel of Christ are made available to all, including those who may have died without a knowledge of the truth. When the Savior was upon the earth He said, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5.) The law so given is all-inclusive, only little children, having no sin to expiate, being excepted. But, the question is asked, what of those who have died without a knowledge of the gospel? Can they in justice be denied its blessings? The Lord in His mercy has provided a way for these. In the temples of the Church living proxies receive the ordinances of the gospel for those who have passed beyond. Such practice, while appearing strange to many, is not new. It was familiar to those of the primitive Church established by the Master as evidenced by the words of Paul to the Corinthian Saints: "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?" (I Corinthians 15:29.) In order to carry on this and other ordinance work in behalf of the dead, the Church maintains extensive genealogical facilities. On Main Street, one block south of Temple Square are found the offices and archives of the Latter-day Saint Genealogical Society where extensive research and record-keeping activities are centralized. All of these temple activities require a sacrifice of time and effort. The labor of thousands in behalf of the dead, that those who have gone beyond might enjoy the blessings of the gospel of the Master, is a work of love without parallel.
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HE southwest corner of Temple Squa~e i.s occupied by the Assembly Hall. As the name md1cates, this is a place of public worship, to which visitors are welcome. In this respect it is similar to all of the regular meeting places of the Latter-day Saints. There
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TN SALT LAKE CITY
The Assembly Hall
are no collections made at the services conducted in these buildings. The Church is maintained financially through observance of the ancient law of tithing, each member being expected t o contribute one-tenth of his increase annually for the support of the L ord's work. The Assembly H all is a semi-Gothic structure of gray granite completed in 1882. It is 68 by 120 feet in dimension and very simply furnished. It is generally u sed for local conferences of the Church and is often made available for civic functions.
6/he 8ea {Jail monument EMPLE SQUARE has several monuments of general interest, perh aps the most unusu al of which is the Sea Gull monument. It consists of two bronze birds in flight mounted atop a granite sh aft, at the base of which are bronze plaques depicting the history behind this unique monument. It was erected by the Church in 1913 to commemorate the mercy of God to the " Mormon" Pioneers in the events of the early summer of 1848. During the winter and early spring following the arrival of the "Mormons" in the Salt L ake Vall ey, the vanguard group planted five thou sand acres of grain to insure food not only for th emselves but also for th e large companies of colonists who were e:-- p 2cted to
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TEMPLE SQUARE come that summer. With irrigation the grain flourished, a n d prospects looked bright for an excellent crop . 'Then one day in the spring of 1848 news was brought from the outlying fields Sea Gull and Crickets that great hordes of crickets were devouring the grain. Frantically the people fought to stem the tide. They tried burning the insects. They tried drowning them. They used every resource at their command, but still the crickets came, leaving behind a desert where only shortly before had been a people's hope for bread. It was a desperate situation. These colonists were in an isolated outpost, with no means of communication other than slow ox teams. With their own strength exhausted, there was but one power to whom they could turn. They lifted their voices in prayer. Then they heard the cries of sea gulls flying in from "the west. At first they thought it another foe to complete the destruction already begun. But the gulls settled on the fields and commenced devouring the crickets, disgorging only to continue eating and not stopping until the grain was cleaned of them. Through the intervention of the gulls, a substantial portion of the crop was saved and the pioneers were enabled to survive the following rigorous winter.
c3flze (9/J [J{ouse N THE southeast corner of Temple Square is found the oldest house now standing in Salt Lake City. It was built in the fall of 1847, shortly after the arrival of the "Mormons" and is further noted for the fact that it served as an office for Captain Howard Stansbury, of the Topographical Engineers of the United States Army, who surveyed the Great Salt Lake during the winter of 1849-50. Now roofed over and protected from the elements, it stands as an endur-
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IN SALT LAKE CITY ing symbol of the philosophy of the pioneers who came to these mountain valleys, established homes, and built a commonwealth in the wilderness.
The Oldest House in Salt Lake City, Under Pergola
6/he museum HE Church museum on Temple Square houses many interesting relics of the early history of the West. Among these is the plow used to turn over the first acre in the Salt Lake Valley immediately fol-
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Mormon Battalion Monument on Utah State Capitol Grounds
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TEMPLE SQUARE lowing the arrival of the "Mormon" pioneers, which marked the beginning of the system of modern irrigation practice that reclaimed the arid west. In the museum, too, are found pianos hauled across the plains by ox team that the people might have music, the press on which the first newspaper in the area was printed, as well as scores of other tokens of Utah's dramatic history.
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monuments
N THE central area between the Temple and the Museum are three significant monuments. One is dedicated t o the witnesses to the divine origin of the Book of Mormon. Another is in memory of Hyrum Smith, the brother of Joseph Smith who was killed with him in Carthage, Illinois, June 27, 1844. The other is of Joseph Smith, the first prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All that one sees of "Mormonism" today - the tangible properties, temples, tabernacles, more than a thousand houses of worship, a membership reaching toward 3 million found in many lands and under many flags; and the less tangible things , the individual faith that has motivated its members to unusual accomplishments,
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] Handcart Pioneers Statue
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IN SALT LAKE CITY the vitality of its doctrines, the spiritual conviction of its people-all of these find root in th e life and experiences and teachings of this man whom the "Mormons" regard as a prophet of God. His story, which is the story of the founding of "Mormonism," follows in brief.
The Origin of "Mormonism" 6fhe Vist.ons ESTERN New York in the early part of the nineteenth century was a scene of religious confusion and excitement. Revivals were not uncommon, and sect vied with sect in proselyting members. Feelings were often stirred up and emotions strained. Among those who were troubled by the resulting confusion was a boy of fourteen who lived near the town of Palmyra. Deeply disturbed by the tumult of opinions, Joseph Smith sou ght answer in the Bible. He found his answer in the fifth verse of the first chapter of the Epistle of James in the New Testament: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. " To him that promise and direction seemed plain enough-and exceedingly simple after all of the
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Statue of Joseph Smith
TEMPLE SQUARE argument to which he had listened. He resolved to do as James directed. In the early morning of a spring day in 1820 he retired to a grove of trees near his home to ask God for wisdom. Kneeling, he began to offer up the desires of his heart. To use his own words-"! saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me . . . . When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name , and said, pointing to the other"This is my Beloved Son. Hear Him! ' "
The Hill Cumorah, in Western New York
OSEPH reported that in response to his queries he was told that he should join none of the churches seeking his membership, and further that if he lived worthily he should become a power for good in the hands of the Lord. Though his neighbors and associates believed that God had anciently spoken to His chosen servants, as stated in the Bible, it was incredible to them that in their day He should manifest Himself to a farm boy
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IN SALT LAICE CITY of their own acquaintance. They ridiculed the lad and became bitter toward him. Three years after his vision, on the night of September 21, 1823, as Joseph prayed for more light and understanding, his room grew light, and there stood before him a personage clothed in white who announced himself as Moroni, a resurrected being. During most of that night Joseph and the messenger conversed, and many wonderful things were told the boy. Some of these concerned a large hill not far from the Smith home. In it, according to Moroni, was buried a set of gold plates-a book of golden leaves with strange writings-containing the history of people who had inhabited the land anciently. He, Moroni, had been the last of a great nation and had put them there fourteen centuries earlier. And now they were to come forth, to be translated and become a power for good among men, "a new witness for Christ."
!Jhe 8aaed !Record ROM the description given by the angel, Joseph had little difficulty in finding the place. On the west side of the hill not far from the top he saw a rounded stone, its center exposed by erosion while its edges were still covered with earth. Prying it up, he found it to be the cover to a box formed of stones. And there, indeed, was a volume of gold plates!
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But it was not until four years later that he was permitted to take the sacred volume. Then his townspeople, learning that he had the record, commenced harassing him in an effort to get possession of it. It soon became evident that nothing could be done with the translation with conditions as they were in Palmyra. Joseph accordingly decided to go to Harmony, Pennsylvania, to the home of his wife's father, and there with the aid of instruments which he received with the plates - the Urim and Thummim spoken of in the scriptures-to undertake the task of translating the ancient writings.
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RILE engaged in the translation Joseph and his assistant, Oliver Cowdery, came to a passage concerning baptism. They themselves had not been baptized, and after considering the matter they decided to inquire of the Lord. On the 15th day of May, 1829, they retired to a secluded spot on the bank of the Susquehanna River, and raised their voices in prayer.
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While they were praying a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light and announced himself as John, known in the time of the Savior as the Baptist. Laying his hands upon their heads he conferred upon them the Priesthood, with power to baptize, and then promised that yet further keys would be bestowed upon them. This promise was fulfilled shortly thereafter. The translation led to another series of remarkable experiences. Until this time Joseph had shown the golden volume to no one. Even while translating he had separated himself from his scribe by means of a curtain. But the record spoke of other witnesses to the reality of the plates. Inquiring of the Lord, he was given to understand that certain others might be permitted to see and handle them. Two groups, one of three, and one of eight, participated in this experience, both in the broad light of day. Both groups signed written testimonials to the reality of the record and the engravings thereon. These testimonials are printed in each copy of the Book of Mormon. Bas-reliefs of the group of three are found on one of the monuments on Temple Square. With the completion of the translation the book was printed in Palmyra, New York, issuing from the press in the spring of 1830. The first edition comprised 5,000 copies. Since that time scores of other editions have been printed, it has been translated into thirty languages, and its distribution today is more extensive than ever before.
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IN SALT LAKE CITY
6/he C9rganization of the Church HE authority of the Priesthood having been received from those who held it anciently, Joseph Smith and associates proceeded to organize the Church. On April 6, 1830, six men m et in the home of Peter Whitmer, Sr., in Fayette, New. York, and formally established The Church of J esus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It w as ~ et forth on its mission as a restoration of the primitive church s::!t up by the Savior, the phrase "Latter-day Saints" being used to distinguish it from the organization of the Saints of early days.
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!Jn 8earch of [j)eace T is difficult in our time to realize the intensity of religious intolerance then exi~ t i ng. That intolerance was keenly felt by the members of the newlyorganized Church. There s: emed to be no middleground attitude concerning the gospel taught by Joseph Smith and his followers. Converts were willing to make every sacrifice for the principles which they came to consider dearer than life itself. On the other hand, those who chose to oppose the Church did so with a bitterness that knew no restraint. This persecution prompted the Church to move successively from New York to Ohio, from Ohio to Missouri, from Missouri to Ulinois, and finally from Illinois to the Rocky Mountains, to a place which, as Brigham Young said, no one else wanted. In each case they built homes and cities, cultivated the land and established shops and factories. Twelve thousand of them were mercilessly driven from the State of Missouri and about twice that number from Illinois. It was in Illinois that the climax in their persecution was reached with the murder of J oseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum. On Bulletin of the Plains
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TEMPLE SQUARE June 27, 1844, they were killed by a mob while under the guaranteed protection and custody of the governor of the State. UT though the Prophet was dead, the Church continued to grow. Brigham Young succeeded to its leadership, and under his direction the Latter-day Saints left their beloved city of Nauvoo, on the banks of the Mississippi, where mobs were burning and killing and destroying, to go into the wilderness to firi.d a haven of peace. The story of their remarkable exodus is rather generally known-how they made a road through the mud of Iowa in the spring of 1846; how when they reached the Missouri River they were asked by the government for five hundred of their ablest young men to engage in the war with Mexico, and how their quota was quickly filled, these men marching with great suffering all the way from Council Bluffs to San Diego; how the leaders established Winter Quarters near the present site of Omaha, where many died of disease and exposure; how in the spring of 1847 they started for the little-known inland West; and how on July 24, 1847, Brigham Young looked over the barren valley of the Great Salt Lake and said, "This is the Place."
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Church Office Building
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IN SALT LAKE CITY NCE here, they set out to build a commonwealth. They irrigated the desert and made it blossom as the rose. They founded hundreds of settlements extending through not only what is now Utah, but also in what is now Arizona, Colorado, California, Nevada, Idaho, western Canada, New Mexico, and old Mexico. But while wresting a living from the desert they did not forget their prime responsibility-to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and bring souls to repentance. Over land and sea they traveled as missionaries -usually at great sacrifice-bringing converts from many lands, and setting up organizations of the Church under many flags.
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The Church Today HE persecution to which the "Mormons" were once so sorely subjected and the prejudice once so commonly held against them have largely disappeared as men everywhere have witnessed the fruits of their labors and beliefs. They have come to receive the admiration of intelligent people the world over, not only for the illustrious history of their Church, but for its inner vitality and capacity to meet the problems of modern life.
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6//w {Jrowth of the Clzurch
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ROM the six members who participated in the original organization in 1830 it has grown to a present membership approaching 3 million. The small movement that began in a little-known village of western New York has spread over the earth; flourishing branches are now found in all the states of the Union, and in more than a score of foreign lands. Once driven from state to state and without means, its assets today are substantial in temples, tabernacles, chapels, recreation centers, schools, hospitals, mission homes, and other facilities.
6/lze [j)riesthood
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HURCH government rests in the Priesthood, the authority divinely bestowed whereby men may act in the name of God. In "Mormonism" this
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TEMPLE SQUARE power is not reserved for a few. Beginning at age 12 qualified male members of the Church are given increasingly responsible service opportunities in the various ¡offices of the priesthood. Today, through a direct line of ordination from Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, who received it under the hands of heavenly messengers who held it upon the earth in the days of the Savior, more than 572,000 men and boys hold this divine authority in its various offices, and officiate in its ordinances. This body of men, giving voluntarily of their time, constitute the ministry of the Church. They are organized into small units which are called quorums. Each quorum is in essence a fraternity, as is the entire organization of the Priesthood. It is these men, the great majority of the male membership over twelve years of age, who officer the Church. They are like other men in that they are merchants, farmers, members of the professions; but they are different in that they have been ordained to officiate in the name of the Lord and preach the gospel.
Church {Jo vernment HE General Officers of the Church, presiding over its activities in all the world, consist of the First Presidency who stand at the head; the Council of the Twelve Apostles, whose divinely appointed mission is to act as "special witnesses for Christ in all the world;" the First Council of the Seventy; the Patriarch to the Church; and the Presiding Bishopric, who are given responsibility for the temporal affairs of the Church. These general officers are sustained by the membership of the Church in its General Conferences. The Church is divided into two types of major geographical units-the stakes and missions. A stake consists of a group of local ecclesiastical wards, each having a membership of from 200 to 1,000 people, with a local meeting house containing chapel, cultural hall, classrooms, and other facilities. Presiding over each stake is a President with two counselors, assisted by a High Council of twelve men and various auxiliary officers. Each ward is presided over by a Bishop and two counselors.
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IN SALT LAKE CITY HERE Church population is scattered the members are organized into missions, with subdivisions of districts and branches. Each mission is presided over by a President, as is each district and branch. Essentially the same program, adapted to the capacity of the membership, is carried on in the missions as in the stakes and wards. Missionary work is conducted in both missions and stakes. In the missions it is generally a full time activity on the part of men and women, most of them young, who are called on a voluntary basis to contribute their time and means to this work for a period of two years or more. In the stakes missionary work generally is done on a part time basis by members in their local communities.
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N addition to the Priesthood quorums there are other organizations within the Church whose responsibility it i to provide activity and instruction for all members f n th e oldest to the youngest. These auxiliary organizations are known as the Relief Society, the Sunday School, the P rimary Association, and the Young Men's and Young Women's Mutual Improvement Associations .
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j Bonneville Ward Chapel and Stake House. Salt Lake City
HE Relief Society is today the oldest women's organization in the United States which is national in scope. It was founded by JosEph Smith at Nauvoo, Illinois, on March 17, 1842. Its purpose is two-
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TEMPLE SQUARE fold : the education and spiritual development of the women of the Church, particularly the mothers; and compassionate social service in the interest of the individual, the family, and the community. Through an extensive curriculum members are offered courses in theology, literature, social science, and the art of home-making. During its long history the society has made an outstanding contribution in service. In times of stress-whether in sickness or death in the home, or war or depression affecting the nation -it has ministered aid and succored those in need. HE Deseret Sunday School Union embraces all members of the Church from the very young to the aged. Courses of study covering the entire field of religion and theology are provided, taught by more than 135,000 officers and teachers.
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HE Church lays strong emphasis on the training of its youth, and in this field it has come to be recognized for its outstanding work. From early days it has been a principle of "Mormon" policy that the Church should provide wholesome social and educational opportunity as well as spiritual training for its young people. Boys and girls up to twelve years of age receive this through the Primary Association. Responsibility for those beyond twelve years of age rests with the Mutual Improvement Associations. The program of the Boy Scouts of America is followed with boys from eleven to sixteen, and the "Mormon" Church has been complimented by national Scout officials for having a larger percentage of its boys enrolled in Scouting than is found in any other religious group. A varied program of cultural, spiritual and recreational activity is provided for the young men and women from seventeen to twenty-four. A general Church Board provides expert direction in a number of fields. Drama is encouraged, home dramatics being fostered wherever the Church is organized. Plays of recognized quality are made available all over the Church through blanket royalty arrangements. Dancing is a major activity, fostered not only for its social value, but also for its artistic merit. When the "Mormon" .?ioneers were crossing the plains they
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IN SALT LAKE CITY often cleared openings in the sage brush and danced under the stars. Since that time dancing has been a common social function with the "Mormon" people. An integral part of most Church-built meetinghouses is a commodious recreation hall where the members can hold dances as well as other amusements. Sports sponsored by the Church also find prominent place in the activities of these organizations. The Young Men's basketball league is said to be the largest organized athletic league in the world.
6/he Welfare [j)rogram HE temporal welfare of members of the Church has always been a concern of "Mormon" leaders. Throughout its history the needs of those in distress have been cared for through the Priesthood quorums and the Relief Society. In April, 1936, to further facilitate this work., the Church Welfare Program was created.
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Grain Elevator. Welfare Square
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TEMPLE SQUARE From the start its aim has been to help people to help themselves. Operating under this principle, a vast organization has been set up. Extensive tracts of land are cultivated, mines and factories are operated, canneries are maintained, warehouses and grain elevators are stocked. With very few exceptions the work connected with these many projects is donated. Those who need assistance work with the assurance that their needs will be met. And those who do not require help contribute their labor on the Christian principle that every man is his brother's keeper.
0epartment of &ducation NE of the noteworthy precepts of "Mormon" philosophy is that "the glory of God is intelligence." Education has always been a primary concern. In the years when the Church was pioneering, it set up and maintained schools wherever it went, including the first university west of the Missouri River. As the state took over responsibility for teaching the young, the Church largely withdrew from secular education and concentrated its efforts on matters more particularly within its province. However, it continues to maintain Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, offering an extensive university curriculum, and several other institutions offering general educational opportunities. The major effort of the Church Department of Education lies in providing religious instruction for Latter-day Saint students attending public high schools and universities. Seminaries and insti-tutes are maintained by the Church as separate institu'.;ions near the school campuses.
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LL of this work, in fact all of the manifold activities of "Mormonism" over more than a century of time, are and have been for one purpose only. That purpose was set forth by Joseph Smith in the beginning of the movement, and it has stood paramount ever since. It is the bringing of men and women to a knowledge of the eternal truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer and Savior of the world, and that only through belief in Him, and faith which manifests itself in good works, can men and nations enjoy peace.
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ARTICLES OF FAITH Of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1.-We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. 2.-We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam ' s transgression. 3.-We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ord inances of the Gospel. 4.-We believe that the first ore: first, Faith in the lord Baptism by immersion for the hands for the gift of the Holy
principles and ordinances of the Gospel Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, remission of sins; fourth , laying on of Ghost.
5.-We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands, by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof. 6.-We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, viz.: apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc. 7 .-We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelations, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, etc. 8.-We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. 9.-We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the kingdom of God. 10.-We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion will be built upon this (the American) continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory. 11.-We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the d ictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or whot they may. 12.-We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law. 13.-We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul-We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many th ings, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. -JOSEPH SMITH
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