When the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, determined to make that people a nation to himself, as soon as they had arrived at a safe distance from surrounding peoples, he required them to build a Tabernacle, which is sometimes called the Temple, wherein he could institute certain ordinances and regulations for their guidance and worship.

This, at the commencement of their pilgrimage in the wilderness, was made portable, and of the costliest and best material within their reach, and one of the tribes was set apart to have charge of it and its appurtenances. Such has ever been the purpose of the Lord. This served them through their journey and in the promised Canaan, until suitable wealth enabled Solomon to erect a magnificent Temple on Mount Moriah, since called "The Hill of Zion," to which all Israel came annually to worship or attend Conference.

The Lord has informed us Doc. & Cov., Sec. 124, v. 39, that his people are always commanded to build Temples, or holy houses, unto his holy name. This accounts for our reading in the Book of Mormon of so many Temples having been erected on this continent. It also explains why the Prophet Joseph so early taught the commencement of a Temple in every important location of the Saints.

Not less than eight Temples have been designated, and their sites consecrated, of which there have been dedicated and ordinances administered therein—one at Kirtland, Ohio; Nauvoo, Illinois; St. George, and Logan, Utah. Those at Salt Lake City and Manti are progressing satisfactorily, the latter nearing completion. The places appointed in Independence and Far West are in the hands of our persecutors, who have driven the Saints from their homes, and from the State.

The site for a Temple at Independence was dedicated Aug. 3, 1831. Those present were Joseph Smith, Jr., Sidney Rigdon, Edward Partridge, Wm. W. Phelps, Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris, Joseph Coe and Newel Knight. Description of Temple and city plot in History of Joseph Smith, under date of June 23 and 24, 1883. This was the first ground dedicated for a Temple in this dispensation.

The Temple at Kirtland was 55x65 feet; the corner stones were laid July 23, 1833. Reynolds Cahoon and Jared Carter were building committee. This was accomplished by donation and voluntary contribution; was completed and dedicated March 27, 1836.

The corner stone for a Temple at Far West was laid July 4, 1838, with appropriate ceremony. Dimensions of building to be 110 feet long and 80 feet wide. Particulars given in the History of Joseph Smith under this date. Work was re-commenced on this foundation April 26, 1839, and abandoned for the time on account of exterminating order of Governor Boggs, expelling the Saints from the State. Apostles Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith were ordained on the corner stone of this building, and took leave of the Saints for a foreign mission, with the other Apostles who were present, at that time.

The Temple at Nauvoo, Illinois, was about 128 feet long by 88 feet wide. The corner stones were laid in the presence of the Nauvoo Legion, by the various authorities of the Priesthood, on the 6th day of April, 1841. The history of this date gives details of the proceedings. The building was erected by the tithing and freewill offerings of the people, and was so rapidly advanced that on the 8th of November of the same year the Baptismal Font was dedicated, and baptisms for the dead were administered. The cap stone was laid May 24, 1845. The upper rooms were dedicated Sunday, December 7, 1845, and sacrament was administered. Endowments were commenced on the 10th inst. The lower part of the building was dedicated with public services on Saturday and Sunday, the 2d and 3d of May, 1846.

The Salt Lake City site was consecrated and the ground broken for the foundation Feb. 14, 1853. The corner stones were laid April 6, 1853. It is 186 1/2 feet by 99 feet in length and width, and is constructed of hard granite rock, brought from the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon, a distance of about twenty miles. With ordinary prosperity, its walls will be up to the square by the Autumn of 1883. We will not undertake a description of the harmony of its parts, the beauty or grandeur of its appearance, but refer our readers to the Deseret News of Aug. 17, 1854, and the Millennial Star, Vol. 16, page 753, for a full description given by its architect, Truman O. Angell.

The Temple at St. George, the site of which was dedicated by prayer by President George A. Smith, and ground broken November 9, 1871, is 141 feet 8 inches by 93 feet 4 inches; 84 feet from ground to top of parapet. The basement is of volcanic rock, the upper part of red sandstone, and contains about 1900 cords of rock, and 1,000,000 feet of lumber, and cost about $800,000.

The first foundation rock was laid March 10, 1873. On the first of April following, a deposit of records was made by President Brigham Young. On the first day of January, 1877, the Font, lower story and first main floor were dedicated by President Wilford Woodruff, and April 6, following, a general Conference of all the authorities of the Church consummated its consecration, at which Counselor Daniel H. Wells offered the dedication prayer.

The Manti Temple site was dedicated and the ground broken by President Brigham Young April 25, 1877. The corner stones were laid April 14, 1879. Its size is 172x95 feet, and 82 feet to square. Its Eastern Tower is to be 179 feet high; the Western Tower 169 feet high. This edifice stand on a hill, which required 2400 cords of rock terrace to provide for its location.

The site of the Logan Temple is situated on an elevation of table land in the eastern part of the city bearing that name. It was dedicated with prayer offered by Apostle Orson Pratt, May 18, 1877, and the ground was broken the same day. Instructions were given by Presidents Brigham Young and John Taylor. The corner stones were laid September 17, 1877. The building, including tower and buttresses, is 171 feet long by 95 in width, with a tower 28 feet square at each end, the Eastern tower is 156 feet, and the Western tower 151 feet in height, and 87 feet from the surface to top of battlements. It was dedicated May 17, 1884, President John Taylor offering the dedicatory prayer.

The location of the Temple sites at Independence, Kirtland, Far West and Nauvoo were determined and consecrated by or under direction of the Prophet Joseph Smith, who also directed the designs and construction of the Kirtland and Nauvoo Temples.

The locations of the Temples at Salt Lake City, at St. George, at Manti and at Logan were determined and dedicated by President Brigham Young, or by his direction. He also directed the designs of the Salt Lake City and St. George Temples, and presided at the dedication services of the latter house.

Bible.

Exo. Chapters 25, 26, 27, 28 give a description of the Tabernacle constructed in the wilderness, with its appointments. This Tabernacle is frequently called a Temple in the Old Testament; as in 1 Sam. 1. 9.

1 Kings, Chapters 6, 7, and 8. Temple of Solomon is described, with the dedication ceremonies.

Ezra, Chap. 6. The rebuilding of Solomon's Temple by Cyrus is given. The decree is found in verse 3.

The final demolition of this Temple was foretold by Christ in Matt. 24. 2. This terrible prophecy was fulfilled by the Romans under Titus about the year seventy of our Lord.

Book of Mormon.

2. Nephi 5. 16 and I, Nephi, did build a Temple after the manner of the Temple of Solomon, etc.

Jacob 1. 17 wherefore I, Jacob, gave unto them these words, as I taught them in the Temple, etc.

2. 2 I come up unto the Temple this day, that I might declare unto you the word of God.

2. 11 get thee up into the Temple on the morrow, etc.

Mos. 1. 18 might gather themselves together to go up to the Temple, to hear the words which his father should speak unto them.

2. 6, 7 pitched their tents around the Temple, with their doors toward the Temple.

Alma 16. 13 and Alma and Amulek went forth preaching repentance to the people in their Temples, and in their sanctuaries, and in their synagogues, which were built after the manner of the Jews.

23. 2 but that they should have free access to their houses, and also their Temples and their sanctuaries.

26. 29 we have taught them in their houses, in their streets, upon their hills, and we have also entered into their Temples, and their synagogues, and taught them.

Hel. 3. 9 have timber to build houses, cities, Temples, synagogues, sanctuaries and all manner of buildings.

3. 14 an hundreth part of their building of ships, of Temples, synagogues and sanctuaries cannot be contained in this work.

10. 8 if ye shall say unto this Temple, it shall be rent in twain, it shall be done.

Doctrine & Covenants.

Sec. 84. 3 which city (New Jerusalem) shall be built, beginning at the Temple lot, which shall be appointed by the finger of the Lord.

4 even the place of the Temple, which Temple shall be reared in this generation.

5 this generation shall not all pass away, until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it, etc.

31 which House shall be built unto the Lord in this generation, upon the consecrated spot as I have appointed.

97. 10 it is my will that an house should be built unto me in the land of Zion, like unto the pattern which I have given you.

124. 29, 30 that they, my Saints, may be baptized for those who are dead; for this ordinance belongeth to my House.

31 but I command you, all ye, my Saints, to build a House unto me.

39 for the beginning of the revelations and foundation of Zion, and for the glory, honor and endowment of all her municipals, are ordained by the ordinance of my Holy House, which my people are always commanded to build unto my Holy Name.

55 and again, verily I say unto you, I command you again to build a House to my name, even in this place.

127. 9 let all the records be had in order, that they may be put in the archives of my Holy Temple, to be held in remembrance from generation to generation, saith the Lord of Hosts.

See Sermon by B. Young, J. of D., Vol. I, page 277.

" " " " " " " 131.

" " " " " 2, " 29.

" " " " " 9, " 239.

" " O. Pratt, " " 14, " 271.

" " " " " 16, " 251.

" " G. A. Smith, " " 17, " 160.

An Article entitled, The Order of Laying Temple Corner Stones, Deseret Weekly News, Vol. 27, page 214.

History of Joseph Smith, date of Aug. 3, 1831, and July 4, 1838.

History of Joseph Smith, date of May 6, June 6, and July 23, 1833, and March 27, 1836.