History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

THE TABERNACLE.
lars. Its seating capacity is about p,000, 16 and in the
building are twenty doors, some nine feet in width,
and all of them opening outward, so that in case of
fire a full congregation can make its exit in three
or four minutes. As was the case in the old tabernacle,
17 the acoustic properties are remarkably good,
and it is said that one standing in the east end of the
gallery and uttering a few words in his lowest tone
can be distinctly heard in the amphitheatre where
the church dignitaries are seated, at the opposite
end of the building. 18
On the site of the old tabernacle now stands the new
assembly hall, 19 which is also the stake house for the
Salt Lake stake of Zion. It is built of rough-hewn
granite, the rock being taken from the same quarry
that supplies material for the temple, and with
frescoed ceiling, representing important events in
church history.' Though church-like in appearance, it
is considered one of the most sightly structures in the
city. 23 Of the endowment house and other buildings
on temple block mention has been made elsewhere.
On South Temple street is the museum, where are
specimens of home art, in painting and sculpture, also
home products and manufactures, as in cotton, wool,
silk, cloth, paper; gold and silver bullion and coins,
with samples of the ores and minerals of Utah;
16 Richards'' Utah Miscell, MS. In Utah Notes, MS. , 2, it is given as low
as 7,000. Other authorities say 12,000 to 13,000, but recent estimates show
this to be an exaggeration, though including standing-room, the former figure
is about correct. .
17 For mention of the old tabernacle and its organ, see p. 292, this vol.
j
18 For further descriptions of this tabernacle, see, among others, Sala s
Amer. Revisited, 296-8; Bonwich's Mormons and Silver Mines, 10-17; Marshall's
Through Amer., 1058; Duffus-Hardy's Through Cities and Prairie,
113-15; De Rupert's Gal. and Morm., 138-4(3; Deseret News, May 4, 1870,
on which date were delivered the inaugural addresses.
19 The corner-stones were laid Sept. 28, 1877, and it was dedicated Jan. 9,
1882, though public meetings were held in it as early as Apr. 4, 1S80. Until
Apr. 1S79 it was called the new or little tabernacle, its name being changed
at that date to the Salt Lake Assembly Hall. It is 120 by 6S feet, and can
seat 3,000 people. Richards' Utah Miscell., MS.
m Utah Notes, MS., 2; Sloan's Utah Gazetteer, 1SS4, 204. The building
is 120 by GS ft, the height of the tower which rises from the centre being 130
ft. It has excellent acoustic properties, contains a large organ, rich and sweet
in tone, and was dedicated in the spring of 1SS0.
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