I feel to rejoice to see the work of God progressing as it is today,
and to witness the spirit and feeling that are being manifested among
the Saints everywhere throughout the Territory for the advancement of
His Church and Kingdom on the earth. In my visit south to attend
Conference, I felt to rejoice exceedingly in seeing the Temple
completed at St. George. It is a most beautiful building, pure and
white as the driven snow, both outside and in. It is elegant in
design, and there is a manifest propriety and adaptability in all its
arrangements. The labor and finish exhibit talent and artistic skill
of the highest order, and it is chaste, exquisite, appropriate, and
beautiful in all its appointments.
Approaching from the north, with the black basaltic lava mountain
frowning on the background, and the grim red sandstone nearer its
base, relieved indeed by the beautiful city of St. George, with its
shrubberies, its gardens and orchards, its vines, its trees and
flowers, it stands as a chaste memorial, a sweet elysium, a haven of
repose, in this beautiful oasis of the desert; and is a proud and
lasting monument of its originator and designer, the fidelity of the
architect, the skill of the mechanics, and the faith, self-denial, liberality and devotion of the Latter-day Saints.
When I visited that holy Temple, accompanied by my brethren who were
with me, we experienced a sacred thrill of joy, and a solemn,
reverential sensation. As we entered its sacred portals, we felt that
we were standing on holy ground, and experienced, with one of old,
"Surely this is the House of God, and the gate of heaven." That is not
simply a metaphorical expression, but a reality, for it is in that
House, and it will be in the House to be built on this ground, that
the most sacred ordinances of God are to be performed, which are
associated with the interest and happiness of the human family, living
and dead. I felt to rejoice in my heart that we had been thus far
successful in the building of one temple to the name of our Father and
God.
On our return from St. George, when we came to Manti, in Sanpete
County, we found a place dedicated and set apart like this ground has
been. Again I felt to rejoice to witness the spirit and feeling that
were manifested among the brethren in that district of country;
everybody seemed desirous to commence the work of building the Temple.
When I heard of the one to be erected here my joy was still greater,
and I am indeed very happy for the privilege of meeting with you, of
taking part in this dedication, of listening to the prayer of Brother
Pratt and the remarks of President Young, all of which were dictated
by the Spirit of the living God, all of which have their meaning, and
ought to influence our hearts and minds, and lead us to take a deep
and abiding interest in the great and important things that are going
on in our midst and around about us. They are things in which the
angels and gods are interested, and in which God our Father is
interested, and all the ancient prophets and holy men of God that have
ever lived; all feel interested in these things which we are now
engaged in, and all stand ready to approve of our works. If we go to
work with all our hearts and with all our souls, we can accomplish it
within the time the President has given us. Yes, I will venture to say
we can do it in two-and-a-half years, instead of three-and-a-half
years. If we can lay aside our narrow, contracted ideas, and feel that
we are servants of the living God, that we are operating and
cooperating with Him and with the holy Priesthood behind the veil for
the accomplishment of this object, then the power and blessing of
Almighty God will be upon us and be within us, and we will feel like
giants refreshed with new wine, and the work of God will roll on, Zion
will arise and shine, and the glory of God will rest upon her.
I say "Amen" to the prayer of Brother Pratt, and to the remarks of
President Young, and I say God bless our President and his Counselors,
God bless the Twelve, and God bless the Presidents and Bishops and
every good man that fears him and keeps his commandments. Amen.