[William Clayton Journal] This day is the first of another year; the morning is rainy, the ground very soft, and the mud very deep. A heavy mist rests upon the low ground under the bluff, the sun light is very dim being nearly shut out by the dark heavy clouds which overspread the whole face of the Sky, and every thing around wears a gloomy and dismal aspect. But notwithstanding the unfavorable appearance of things, the brethren and sisters are assembling together to the house of the Lord to receive their Washings and anointings. President Brigham Young came in at an early hour, having left the Temple about 6 o clock last evening in company with Elder H. C. Kimball.
The plasterers have commenced this morning to plaster the arched ceiling of the lower hall of the Temple, the floor is laid, the frame work of the pulpits and surrounding seats for the Choir and band, is put up and the work of fitting the room for dedication and holding meetings therein progresses very fast . . .
At 15 minutes before 10, the following persons assembled in President B. Young's Room, clothed themselves, and consecrated 14 bottles of oil, which had previously been perfumed, viz; President Brigham Young, Amasa Lyman, and George A. Smith, of the quorum of Twelve, and Joseph Young, Orson Spencer, C. C. Rich, Erastus Snow and Benjamin L. Clapp, after which they united together in prayer to God that he would preserve us from all the snares and traps that were laid by our enemies, that he would paralyze their power, and turn away their wrath, that we might have means and power to remove from this place, and for the continued prosperity of the Church, &c &c &c.
After this was over President Young had a short conference with Father Isaac Morley, who had been waiting to see him, for half an hour in the Office . . .
At 10 minutes past 3 o clock P.M. in President Brigham Young's room No. 1 in the Attic Story of the Lord's House, Truman Leonard Jun[io]r and Ortensia White were unit
ed in the bonds of matrimony, by President Brigham Young, and were sealed for time and for eternity, in the presence of George A. Smith, and Parley P. Pratt, as Witnesses.
At 6 1/2 o clock, the High Priests met in room No. 8 attic Story of the Temple . . .
Meeting opened by singing "Come all ye Sons of Zion" then prayer by Winslow Farr. President Miller gave instruction most beautiful to the mind, explaining the signs, tokens and names of the Priesthood after which they all offered up the Signs and united in prayer with President Miller who was mouth.
Several members of the High Council came to the place of meeting but the number not being large, and No President being there no meeting was held . . .
After a little time had elapsed, the whole company were assembled together in the east room, in number about fifty and all kneeled down upon the carpet and united with Elder H. C. Kimball in thanksgiving to God for his great mercy, and goodness to us in granting us this opportunity of meeting together in the House of the Lord, and in prayer to him that he would continue to bless us, that he would bless President Brigham Young, with health and wisdom, that he might be able to lead and direct this people, and that the same blessings might be extended to all his brethren of The Twelve, and on all the Saints, and that God would bless our wives and give unto them strength of body, that they might live and administer to the servants of God that they might see three score years and ten, and behold the kingdom of God established in the earth. And that we might be enabled to continue in Nauvoo in peace, until all the faithful Saints had received their endowment, and that when the time to leave here should arrive, that we might have those things that we need to enable us to go away in comfort, that to this end our possessions might look good to those who are round about us that they may buy them and pay us gold and silver, and such things as we need.
Also that God would bless our children, and all that pertains to us, and dedicating the whole company to God, gave him the glory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
William G. Young and Adelia C. Clark were then married by President Brigham Young, in the following order, viz; chairs were placed for them near the west side of the room by Phineas H. Young in which they were seated, and Brigham H. Young and Cedenia O. Clark officiated as Groomsman and Bridesmaid. President Young then asked the Groom if it was the understanding that they were to be married for time and for eternity and receiving an answer in the affirmative, asked the Bride the same question, and received the same answer. He then asked Hazen Kimball and his wife if the Bride's parents understood their intentions and approved of them and received the same answer. He also asked the Bride how old she was, and was answered that she would be 20 years old the 28th of this month. These questions having all been satisfacto
rily answered, he requested them to stand up, and they did so, and by his direction joined their right hands together. He then said nearly as follows, William G. Young, you take Adelia C. Clark by the right hand to be your lawful wedded wife, and promise, in the presence of God and Angels, and these witnesses to observe all the laws and obligations and duties pertaining or belonging to this order of the Priesthood, do You? to which the Groom answered Yes Sir. He then asked the same question or nearly so of the Bride, and received a like answer. He then pronounced them Husband and Wife, and sealed them together as such for time and for all eternity, and also sealed them up to eternal life, against all sins, except the sin of the Holy Ghost, which is the shedding of innocent blood, and pronounced various blessings upon them, and when he had done, told William to kiss his wife.
Two or three songs were then sung, and President Young invited the company to supper, which had been
prepared in another part of the hall, viz; the garden. Bishop N. K. Whitney and his wife led the way, and were followed by about half the company, the table not being extensive enough to accommodate more than that number. Supper was soon ended and the sound of Hanson's violin and Brother Averett's flute in the east room gave notice that business of a different nature would soon be attended to. The floor was cleared of chairs and tables, and filled up with two sets of dancers, one on each side of the stove. After dancing a few figures, President Young called the attention of the whole company, and then gave them a message, of this import, viz; that this temple was a Holy place, and that when we danced, we danced unto the Lord, and that no person would be allowed to come on to this floor, and afterwards mingle with the wicked. He said the wicked had no right to dance, that dancing and music belonged to the Saints, and he strongly impressed upon the mind of those present the impropriety of mingling again with the wicked after having come in here, and taken upon them the covenants which they had. He spoke pointedly to his daughter Vilate and told her that if she should do so after this, she might expect to meet the frowns of a father who held the keys of the Priesthood. He was followed by L. R. Foster, who concurred in the remarks of President Young, and said he would like to have the question put, that it might be known how many of those present were willing to make a covenant to this effect, that they would not mingle with the wicked any more in their amusements. Elder H. G. Kimball said before the question was put he wished to say a few words. He felt thankful that President Young had touched this subject, and also that we had this opportunity of meeting together in this manner. Said that those who were parents had become responsible for the conduct of their children, and for his part he should not be willing that his children should meet with the wicked, or have any thing to do with their amusements. He said to his own children that they had covenanted here this evening, that they would receive the instructions, and listen to the counsel of their father and mother, and he hoped they would remember it.
Erastus Snow, expressed his feelings in a few words, said he had never attempted to dance in his life, until he came on to this floor, and he must say that since he had commenced he had enjoyed himself very well in the exercise, and felt grateful to God that he had the privilege.
The question was then put, the President invited all those who were willing to covenant that they would keep themselves from mingling with the wicked to rise upon their feet, whereupon all rose up. L. R. Foster said again, that he was willing to serve the Lord, and look to him for the things that were unnecessary, and do the work he had for him to do, if the Lord would permit him to enjoy himself in the dance once in a while. Hans G. Hanson enquired if it would be permitted for him to speak a few words on this occasion and receiving an approving nod from the President, said he had been in the habit of playing the fiddle for mixed companies among the wicked, and that in such companies he had always seen very ungodly conduct, that on a certain occasion he played for some who were called saints, but they went down to a Steam Boat and got about 25 passengers to join them, and said he, they wanted to get away all our gals, and there was very bad talk there, and that when he saw the saints enjoying themselves in the dance as they did the last night here, he made a covenant with himself that he would no more play the fiddle for the wicked, but that saints should have the use of his fiddle, and that when he went on a mission he would leave the fiddle with the Saints, and asked them if they would take care of it. They answered Yes.
The Spirit of the Lord was present, and the spirit of meekness and humility and gratitude to God, for the great privileges we enjoy, that tears came into the eyes of many of those present. Love and union, peace and harmony prevailed, the utmost decorum was observed, not a loud laugh, nor a rude jest saluted the ear. All were in the most perfect subjection to the word of the President, and when he told them at about half past 2 o clock that it was time to quit and seek repose the whole company assented without a murmur, although many would have been glad to have continued the exercise longer.
The sisters retired to the side rooms, and the brethren stretched themselves on the floor, or on the sofas and all were soon in the embraces of "tired nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep," with the exception of the Bridegroom and Bride, and a few of their friends who, being unable to close their eyes in sleep, from the abundance of their joy, passed the short hours of the morning, in agreeable conversation, in the office . . .
[source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
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