It is with peculiar feelings that I arise on this occasion to speak a
few words to this vast assembly. While listening to the sacred words
of the prayer that has been offered up this forenoon in the dedication
of this large building as a place of worship, and the dedication of
the ministry who administer therein, my heart has been full of joy and
satisfaction, and, while listening to these glorious words, my mind
was led to reflect upon dedications of houses and tabernacles of the
Most High in former ages of the world, and also upon the peculiar
manifestations oftentimes connected with those dedications.
The Lord our God accepts the dedication, by his servants the
Priesthood, of those things which he has ordained and established; and
though he may not always manifest that acceptance in a visible manner,
so that all the people may see, yet there is a peculiar manifestation
that we can feel if we cannot see, which whispers to us that God is
manifest in his works, ordinances and institutions, and in his own
buildings that are built with an eye single to his glory, and in his
name. It is an easy matter for the Great Jehovah to manifest himself,
if he pleases so to do, upon a mountain or hill, or in the secret
closet; or while we slumber upon our pillows by night, the visions of
eternity may be opened to our minds, and we may receive great
consolation, joy and peace, through the manifestations given us by the
gift and power of the Holy Ghost. But then, the Lord has oftentimes
laid out a great work for his people to perform, and when that work is
performed by the sons of men with all their hearts and might, and with
all the strength, ability and power that God has given them, it is
then that he shows forth his approbation from the heavens, and fills
them with a peculiar feeling of joy and gladness that it is impossible
for language to describe. How often have we felt these peculiar
feelings and sensations pervading our minds, when we have assembled on
occasions something similar to the present one!
I look back to the first Temple that was built in this generation by
command of the Most High, some forty years ago, in the State
of Ohio, in Kirtland, according to the pattern which God showed by
vision. When that was completed, and the servants of God were called
in from the east and west, and north, and south, and entered that
sacred edifice, God was there, his angels were there, the Holy Ghost
was in the midst of the people, the visions of the Almighty were
opened to the minds of the servants of the living God; the veil was
taken off from the minds of many; they saw the heavens opened; they
beheld the angels of God; they heard the voice of the Lord; and they
were filled from the crown of their heads to the soles of their feet
with the power and inspiration of the Holy Ghost, and uttered forth
prophecies in the midst of that congregation, which have been
fulfilling from that day to the present time.
It was in that Temple that the visions of the Almighty were opened to
our great Prophet, Seer and Revelator, Joseph Smith, wherein the
future was portrayed before him, wherein keys were committed to him in
relation to this great Latter-day dispensation, and the power of God
was made manifest through the holy Priesthood sent down from heaven.
In that Temple, set apart by the servants of God, and dedicated by a
prayer that was written by inspiration, the people were blessed as
they never had been blessed for generations and generations that were
passed and gone. Why? Because that work was of God. God had raised up
a mighty Prophet; God had brought to light great and glorious
revelations; God had sent down the holy Priesthood from the heavens;
the Lord our God had established his kingdom on the earth; he,
therefore, gave unto his servants power, wisdom and strength that they
might administer among the people and do them good.
Since that time buildings have been reared to the name of the Most
High, and the Priesthood have been called together, and the councils
of the Priesthood have been blessed, endowments have been made
manifest, and ordinances of endowments, keys of endowments, signs and
tokens of endowments, and principles that were calculated to give joy
and to impart happiness, for the Lord had commanded, that in the midst
of Zion, life for evermore should be poured out upon the fallen sons
and daughters of his people.
Now another occasion is afforded us of dedicating a large and
commodious Tabernacle, which has been built to the name of the Most
High. God is here; God is with his servants, with the quorums of the
everlasting Priesthood, and his Spirit is here; and the prayer that
has been offered up is accepted by the heavens, and we rejoice and
give praise to God who has redeemed us, who sits upon his throne,
whose bowels of mercy yearn towards all of his sons and daughters;
whose bosom is filled with compassion towards all his people. We
praise his name, and though we have not the opportunity of giving
expression to the joy and thanksgiving of our hearts, still we feel to
say—"Hallelujah to the Lord God Almighty, who sits upon his throne,
who reigns forever and ever, for he will bless his Zion, he will
extend forth her borders, he will pour out his Spirit upon his
ministry, and he will fulfill and accomplish his work unto the
uttermost." Amen.