History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

THE NAUVOO TEMPLE. 2a7
there was intelligent discussion as to the place becoming
a great manufacturing centre. 26
In January 1845 it was proposed that a building
for the high-priests should be erected, to cost $15,000,
and the work was cheerfully undertaken. There were
frequent entertainments given in the way of dances
and public dinners in the Nauvoo mansion and in the
bowery six miles out of the city. 27 At their conference
in April, thousands gathered. The temple was
pushed forward, as the people were counselled to receive
their endowments there as early as possible. On
the 24th of May the walls were finished, and the
event was duly celebrated. 28 On the 5th of October
their first meeting in the temple was held. 29 From
mites and tithings it was estimated that a million dollars
had been raised. Brigham, Parley, and others
of the quorum administered in the temples to hundreds
of people, the services often continuing all day
and night. 30 At the end of December one thousand
of the people had received the ordinances. And all
this was done midst renewed persecutions, and while
the people were making preparations
city.
to evacuate the
The masons withdrew the dispensation previously
granted to Nauvoo, and to this
admit Mormons into their order.
day they refuse to
26 There was $500 or $600 already collected from the penny subscriptions,
which was drawn by order of Brigham to meet a debt on land which must be
immediately paid. Hist. B. Young, MS., Dec. 5, 1844. John Taylor says it
was intended to establish manufactures at Nauvoo on a large scale, for which
theservices of English emigrants were to be secured. At the head of the
rapids, near Nauvoo, stood an island, to which it was proposed to build a
dam, leaving spaces for water-wheels, and thus securing power for mills.
Rem., MS., 19-20.
27 In Hist. B. Young, MS., July 9, 1845, is a description of a public dinner
for the benefit of the church, where Young, Kimball, Taylor, and others officiated
at the table.
28 At six o'clock in the morning the people assembled. The ' Cap-stone
March,' composed for the occasion, was played by Pitt's band; Brigham laid
on the last stone, and pronounced the benediction, and the whole congregation
shouted, ' Hosanna ! hosanna to God and the lamb ! amen, amen, and amen !'
Hist. B. Young, MS., 83.
29 The first stone was laid April 6, 1841.
80 ' I commenced administering the ordinances of endowment at five o'clock
and continued until half-past three in the morning.' Id., MS., Dec. 10, 1845.