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724 Elder Ballard is MY Dad

By September 20, 2023Episodes

Temple Ticker

  • Temple Open House Begins
    • St George Utah Temple
      • Media lead by general authority seventies including Matthew Holland.
      • First operating temple in Utah in 1877 
        • Temple dedicated in sections from January to April, baptisms and endowments begin with Wilford Woodruff.
        • Temple endowment first transcribed by Brigham Young and Wilford Woodruff (first president) in this temple after being passed down by word of mouth since Joseph Smith 
        • First endowments performed for the dead 
        • Fully dedicated by Daniel Wells in April, Brigham Young speaks briefly, dies in August. 
        • “Wilford Woodruff records that almost 25,000 baptisms for the dead; 12,000 endowments; and 3,800 sealings were completed in the temple during the first year.”
        • Woodruff records a vision of world leaders and later performs their temple work in Fall 1877
        • 1878: temple struck by lightning and new spire is constructed
        • This temple became exclusive for ordinances instead of for public meetings. 
      • Historic Design 
        • 1917: First temple annex added. 
        • Until the 1930s, the temple had two assembly halls like the Kirtland/Nauvoo Temples
        • Permanent progressive style ordinance rooms with murals added in 1938, replacing the lower assembly hall.
        • Renovation in 1973 removed murals, created stationary rooms with film presentation, and covered over the pioneer aesthetics. 
        • Murals partially restored in the 1990s
      • Renovation Details
        • New baptistry entrance on south side, Brides exist on north side
        • Temple annex completely replaced, marches exterior more closely 
        • Backside of the Temple was completely replaced for a grand staircase and elevators. Matches exterior better. 
        • New dark gray Cupola with weathervane (originally white)
        •  New Holiness to the Lord inscription with the date 1871 (start of construction)
        • Three New Murals added to ordinance rooms that resemble originals, but presentation remains stationary, each with a different artist.
        • New glass replacing windows that were original (wavy glass)
      • My Comments on the Tour
        • Very different than modern temples like Saratoga Springs or Red Cliffs temples.
        • Clear windows!!!
        • Brides room – only piece of stained glass, original chandeliers.
        • Pioneer chapel images in the baptistry – what are they?
        • Old book case in the marriage waiting room
        • Large murals in the chapel – copies from the old Salt Lake Temple Annex chapel
        • Long climb up grand staircase to Assembly room – new floor installed, new wooden pews with a sloped seating
        • Meanings of the acronyms on the 12 podiums (Aaronic on west, Melchizedek on the east)
        • New Murals – two trees in the garden room, one has a serpent in the branches 
        • Celestial room – Golden Beehives, East Sealing room = Sealing room #3, total of 17 sealing rooms.  
  • Triple Temple Dedications – September 17, 2023 – Was it a Milestone?
    • Brasilia Brazil – #180
      • Neil Andersen – Spoke Portuguese throughout the dedication
      • “Brazil will never be the same after the dedication of this temple…The influence of the temple will touch the entire nation.”
      • 14 Stakes, 3 Districts attending 
      • 10th temple in Brazil
    • Bentonville Arkansas – #181
      • David Bednar – Lived in Fayetteville from 1980-1997
      • 8 stakes attending
      • First Temple in Arkansas 
    • Moses Lake Washington – #182
      • Quinton Cook – Former president of the North America Northwest Area
      • 5 Stakes attending
      • 4th temple in Washington

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