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Show Tabernacle a symbol of sacrifice, commitment By SHEILA SANCHEZ The Daily Herald Mormon Tabernacle The Pr remains kuh a significant religious and architectural symbol of sacrifice and commitment engraved in the c hi is of the early pioneers who i ;; h County. It as Brigham Young (1801-1877- ). the second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da- y Saints, who encouraged the Saints in the area to build the facility for religious and social purposes. With much hardship they built it between 1856 and IN 6V on a large piece of land locaied on University Avenue between Cmlcr Street and i set-tle- J ; r-;-;,- South. Later. Mormons woni'! c.i'! that KM) building the old Tabernacle, j facility built 17 years before the Provo Mormon Tabernacle was constn.. ted and which stood until 1919. Provo resident Don Hawke knows the tabernacle's history well. He remembers attending special functions there as a child. Hawkt's grandfather. Thomas Collins, and uncle, Lloyd Collins, were also stonemasons who helped build it. He and his wife, Blanche, also worked as tour guides at the tabernacle from 1990 to 1993. The retired cabinet maker, who's lived in Provo since 1913, says the original building became overcrowded in 1882. Mormon church officials decided to build a tabernacle that would accommodate three times the number of people the older edifice could seat approximately 1.3(H). Hawke explains that before the tabernacle was built. Utah County residents met in their homes during the winter, and they met at Pioneer Park, in Provo. during spring and summer for religious and social reasons. The building was constructed between 1883 and 896. It was made of brick and stone. Its seating capacity was 3.(XH). with 20.329-square-fo- ot RELIEF: (Continued from Page 10)) with the society's motto being "Charity Never Faileth." The society spawned strong Mormon women. One of them was Brigham Young's daughter. Susa Young Gates (1856-1933).- " who taught music at Brigham Young Academy, and Alice Louise Reynolds, who was a teacher and one of Gates' students. Gates was well educated. She attended Brigham Young Academy, the University of Deseret. Brigham Young University and Harvard University. She also founded the Young Woman's Journal and later edited the Relief Society Magazine from 1914 to 1922. In 1880, Relief Society numbered 300 units and in 888, the organia- 1 110 ; Uli'p' Photo Courtesy of LDS Archives This 1898 photograph of the LDS Tabernacle in Provo building's original design. It was removed in 1949 due depicts the large center tower which was part of the to the stress it put on the roof. one auditorium and a vestry. Its bell at the tabernacle called oeonle to ing was built at all was a miracle. architect was William H. Folsum and special meetings and announced the That it was done with such quality Us building supervisors were Eldler death of prominent leaders. It also and beauty is a testimony to the faith H. H. Cluff and Elder Reed Snioot rang 9 p.m. curfew and sound alarms and strength of the Saints. Many an apostle tor the LDS Church in for years. Hawke says the bell was great stories of faith come out of that 19(H). time." brought across the plains by ox cart. Hawke's historical records sav He says the same bell is now The block were the tabernacle is located in the south" st corner of the located has changed considerably Marriott over the years. The entire block was Brigham Young L tion joined the National Woman Center and is used to announce the owned by the LDS Church until I9I5 Association and the Suffrage when the Church began selling the winning of football and basketball International Council of Women. In lots located on the west side where games at the school. 1891. the organization became ; Hawke says the Saints used the the Nu Skin building is located today charter member of the Nationa old tabernacle while they worked on and where several stores opened. Council of Women. the construction of the new one. He Hawke says the ground where the In 1945. sociev membership says it took faithful Mormons 15 tabernacle now stands was an apple reached K)O.(HX) ai'o n 1971 mem- years to build the facility at a cost orchard until 1881. bership had crow n U :ie million: approximately SKH).(HX). The Provo man says the stairs on From 1968 to 1970. Relief Society The tabernacle was finished either side of the tabernacle's gallery Belle Smith general president around 1898. and was partially com-plreached the center tower through a Spafford served two terms as presio hold a statehood celebration complex system of spiral staircases dent of the National Council of Jar. 4. 896. and two general confer-enand ladders. "The view was well Women and w as recognized as one of f the LDS Church in 886 and worth the climb." Hawke recalls. the leading women in the world. 188. The building's four octagon towToday. Mormon women around He says money and labor to build ers at each of its corners remain, but the world participate in all kinds of the facility w as donated by Provo resthe central tower, which rose above activities in their LDS consrecations the lintel to about 40 feet high. idents. Activities range from canning pro "It was a time of great sacrifice for later removed in 1949 because it w as tabercanneries to jects at enureh-owne- d the people of Utah Valley. The econputting too much stress on the Sunday lessons, welfare and compas omy was very bad and they were also nacle's roof. sionate service and teaching princi In the tabernacle's choir area, the supporting the building of the Salt (key- pies of literacy, nutrition and sanita Lake Temple and Brigham Youns first organ was a tion. Academy." he says. "That the build (See TABERNACLE, Page H- ei c. 1 two-manu- al |