O God, the Eternal Father, we thank thee that we are assembled here
this morning, to lay the foundation of another Temple to thy name. We
ask thee, in the name of Jesus Christ thy Son, to let thy blessing
rest upon this, the Southwest Corner Stone, which has been laid by
the Presiding Bishop of thy Church, and his Council. Also let thy
power and strength rest upon thy servants who shall endeavor to build
upon the same—may that spirit of unanimity and peace that pervades our
bosoms this morning, rest upon those who shall labor upon this
building; may it also rest upon their wives and children, and extend
itself throughout the length and breadth of this territory, and the
whole world, that the honest in heart may rejoice, and thy Saints be
filled with thanksgiving, with praise and adorations to thy great
name, for the mercies thou art continually extending unto them.
Especially let thine Elders abroad, whose hearts are panting this day
with joy and satisfaction, feel the force and influence of thy Spirit,
that so richly rest upon us, that they may take comfort and
consolation. Let their lives be preserved, that they may return, and
behold a building reared to thy name, and greatly rejoice and adore
thee, O God. May their way be opened, that they may move from nation
to nation, from city to city, and from habitation to habitation. Let
thine angels go before them, and the secret agency of thy Holy Spirit
touch the hearts of the people for their good, that thy purposes may
soon be accomplished, that Israel may be gathered from the nations of
the earth, that light and truth may spread itself, until all the
honest in heart rejoice in the principles of freedom, and every band
and yoke of the tyrant is snapped and broken asunder, and the
knowledge and power of God shall cover the earth, as the waters cover
the face of the great deep.
We pray thee to let the petitions of thy servant, which were offered
upon the Chief Corner Stone, be answered upon the heads of this
people, and may thy blessing and power rest upon him and his brethren,
even the First Presidency of thy Church. May they be filled with the
spirit of revelation continually, that thy Saints may flourish, thy
kingdom prosper, and thy work roll forth under their guidance, that
the day may soon come when Zion shall be respected among the nations,
and the Holy Priesthood be the only authority acknowledged, either at
home or abroad, on the land or on the sea.
Direct thy people in thy path, that they may be prepared for the
accomplishing of thy purposes. Let the Temple for which we are this
day laying the Corner Stones, be reared to thy name, and the Topstone
be brought on with shouts of rejoicing before thee. Let every person
that shall put forth his hand to prevent this thing from being
accomplished, sink into oblivion, and may his power wither like the
gourd of Jonah. Let all those who put forth their hands to rear this
House, or in any way assist in doing the same, be blessed abundantly
in the blessings of heaven, and the blessings of earth. And may all
things work together for the good of thy people in all time to come.
We dedicate this Stone, and resign ourselves to thee, to use us
according to thy pleasure, praying thee to direct our course, and save
us eternally in thy celestial Kingdom, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.