[Apostle John Taylor diary] Went to Mother Lucy Smith's, by her request to read some of her history, to see if it was fit or ready for publication. I had an interesting conversation with the old lady; wherein she related many things concerning the family that pleased as well as instructed me; though now quite an aged woman, the power of her memory is surprising, she is able to relate circumstances connected with the family, with great distinctness and accuracy; she is an honor as well as an ornament to the family she belongs. (1)
-- Jun 18, 1845
[Newspaper] - Story: Finishing the Temple -- Editorial -- Describes visitors to the Temple lot, and the great craftsmanship present in the Temple.
- Announcement: Joseph Smith's Writings for Sale -- Editorial -- Announces the sale of "The Voice of Truth," which contains writings, portraits, and the last sermon of Joseph Smith.
- Letter to the Editor: Letter from Pittsburg - Rigdonite Missionary Work -- Signed, "S. S." -- Describes the Rigdonites missionary technique of posing as members of the main body of the Church.
- Announcement: Deaths -- W.D. Huntington -- Lorina Harrison (1, Inflammation of the Bowels), Hannah Casson (1, Diarrhea), Jacob Joseph Bradley (1, Fits), Hannah Irean Bradley (40, Palsy), Andrew Lythe (1, Diarrhea). (2)
-- Wednesday, June 18th, 1845
[Apostle John Taylor diary] Engaged with President Brigham Young, H. C. Kimball, and G. A. Smith, in reading Church History. This night I had the following dream: I dreamt that I stood by the Temple and looked up, and saw that it was finished. I admired the elegance and symmetry of the building, and felt animated in my spirits and rejoiced to see the building finished. I remarked to a person standing by, what a beautiful structure this is, how elegant the design, and how well it is executed. I then said it is only a very short time since we laid the topstone; and now it is finished. I knew that a great deal of the wood work was prepared, but did not anticipate that the building would be so soon completed. I felt at the same time filled with the spirit of God, and my heart rejoiced before the Lord.
While I stood gazing with pleasure at the Temple, I saw another tower rising like unto the one that is on the west end of the Temple, and immediately exclaimed to the person that I had before conversed with, why there is another tower, and said I pointing my finger, still further there is another, and yet another; we have not yet began to see the whole; the scenery gradually changed, and a temple very much larger in dimensions, than the one which we are building, stood before me; there were a number of towers, placed apparently at equal distances on the outside, each of which were supported by buildings as large as this temple, and yet were united with, and were a part of the great temple; they were of as large dimensions as that which is on this Temple, from the midst of these towers and in the center of the building arose in majestic grandeur an immense large dome, that seemed to tower as high above the towers, as the towers were from the earth; it was not quite finished
at the top, and there were some workmen employed near the top of the dome, who in consequence of the extreme height of the building appeared very small. I was much delighted with the scenery that presented itself to my view, and soon after awoke retaining for some time afterwards the same pleasing sensation that I had enjoyed during my dream.
Thursday, June 1845. Engaged in business connected with the office, and in preparing building materials for a new office. In afternoon attended meeting of the priesthood. (1)
-- Jun 19, 1845
[Anointed Quorum] Thursday evening prayer circle of "the Twelve" at Willard Richards's office . (3)
[Nauvoo Temple] The rafters for the roof are all up and "all things move rapidly and in order about [the temple]." (4)
[Patriarchal Blessings] Patriarchal Blessing of Elizabeth Packer given by William Smith on June 19, 1845
The Patriarchal blessing of Elizabeth Packer daughter of Samuel and Mary Taylor born Fayette Co Penn 6th December 1812
Beloved Sister- I lay my hands upon your head to bless you in the name of the Lord Jesus christ, with the blessing that is Patriarchal and given by the authorit[y] of the holy Priesthood, because of the desires of thine heart to obtain a father[']s blessing, thou shalt therefore be blessed throughout thy day and generation for thou art one of the daughters of Abraham and of the seed of the house of Israel. a legal descendant of Joseph through the loins of Ephraim. by means of this lineage thou art chosen and blessed. and thy days shall be long in the land. and thou shalt realize thy hearts desire and be filled with all the fulness of the blessings of the Gospel, because thou hast desired much to see and behold the glory of the last days. and the building up of Zion. and when enemies have sought to destroy thee thou hast been delivered from them up to the present time and they shall not despoil thee of thy glorious crown. neither shall they deprive thee of thy peace. with thy
companion in the kingdom of God. thy prayers and faithfulness in conjunction with thy husband hath saved thee. and thou art saved from the power of thine enemies.
I seal upon thy head the blessings of health. and when thou art afflicted if thou wilt read this blessing. and look to God in faith thou shalt be raised up. thy name shall be named upon many who are of thy descent. to which descent belongeth the Priesthood and the power of ministering before the alter [altar]. thy name shall not be forgotten but had in everlasting remembrance thou hast seen days of trouble and thy heart has been afflicted with days of sorrow and grief. but thy last days shall not be as thy former days. for thy feelings shall be restored and thy comforts increased upon thee. and riches and honor with the blessings of the earth of the dew and the deep are upon thine head. and thou shalt labor and eat the fruit thereof and none other shall take thine inheritance. for that blessing of salvation that is now sealed upon thy head is everlasting. eternal and immortal and if thou art true and faithful all this blessing shall be realized by thee and none shall take th
y crown. for I seal it upon thee in the name of Jesus christ Even so Amen.
Conferred by William Smith Patriarch to th[e] church of Jesus christ of Latter day Saints at Nauvoo the city of Joseph 19th June 18[45] (5)
Footnotes:
1 - 'The John Taylor Nauvoo journal, January 1845-September 1845,' BYU Studies 23:3 (1983) edited by Dean C. Jessee
2 - http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor
3 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power
4 - Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple
5 - Patriarchal Blessings
LDS History Timeline
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