Essentials in Church History / A History of the Church from the Birth of Joseph Smith to the Present Time (1922), with Introductory Chapters on the Antiquity of the Gospel and the "Falling Away"

by Joseph Fielding Smith

Announcement of the Plural Marriage Doctrine

August 28 and 29, 1852, a special conference was held in Salt Lake City. One hundred and six elders were called to go on missions to various fields, including the countries of Europe, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Australia, Hawaii, and other islands of the sea, as well as the states of the Union. On the second day the first public announcement of the doctrine of plural marriage was declared. The revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith, dealing with the new and everlasting covenant and including the doctrine of marriage for eternity and “plural wives,” was read. Elder Orson Pratt delivered the first public discourse on this principle, dealing with the subject from a scriptural standpoint. He emphasized the fact that the practice of plural marriage among the Latter-day Saints was not to “gratify the carnal lusts and feelings of man,” but was to be practiced in all holiness. Moreover, that there was but one who held the keys of this power, and there were “bounds and restrictions” which the Lord had set, and all who obeyed this law should be in harmony with the law, receiving the sanction of the one who held the keys. Following the discourse of Elder Orson Pratt, President Brigham Young made some remarks dealing with the history of the revelation.

Laying the Corner Stones of the Salt Lake Temple

In February, 1853, ground was broken for the foundation of the Salt Lake Temple. Wednesday, April 6, the corner stones were laid with solemn and impressive ceremonies. This was the beginning of the most costly and imposing temple yet to be erected by the Church, and was to take forty years in the building. Other temples had been built, but the Saints had not been granted the privilege of enjoying blessings in them for any length of time. In this far western country, they hoped to build undisturbed, and have the opportunity of receiving their own blessings therein and also labor for their dead. It was at first proposed to build the temple of sandstone from Red Butte Canyon, and a wooden track was laid from the city to the canyon for the purpose of hauling the rock. It was finally decided to build of granite, which was found in abundance in Little Cottonwood Canyon, some eighteen or twenty miles south-east of the city.

A Solemn Assembly

On the morning of April 6, 1853, thousands of Latter-day Saints assembled in conference. President Young made a few introductory remarks saying that in a few years “we may have a place sufficiently large to accommodate the Saints, although, twenty-three years ago, the Church was organized with only six members.” The choir sang and prayer was offered by Elder John Taylor. The procession then formed and moved to the foundation of the temple. The general authorities of the Church and the authorities of the Salt Lake Stake, took their places around the foundation and the ceremonies of laying the corner stones proceeded.

Dedication of the Corner Stones

The First Presidency, with John Smith the patriarch laid the first or south-east corner stone, according to the pattern given by the Prophet Joseph Smith. Following this ceremony President Young delivered an oration, and near the close he said:

“We dedicate the south-east corner stone of the temple to the Most High God. May it remain in peace till it has done its work, and until He who has inspired our hearts to fulfil the prophecies of his holy prophets, that the house of the Lord should be reared in the ‘tops of the mountains’ shall be satisfied, and say it is enough.”

President Kimball then offered the prayer of dedication, and the assembly gathered at the south-west corner stone, which was laid by the Presiding Bishopric, followed by an oration by Bishop Edward Hunter, and a prayer of dedication by Bishop Alfred Cordon. The north-west corner stone was laid by the presidency of the high priests, and President John Young of that quorum, delivered the oration. Elder George B. Wallace offered the prayer of dedication. The last, or north-east corner stone, was laid by the council of the twelve. Elder Parley P. Pratt delivered an oration and the prayer of dedication was offered by Elder Orson Hyde.