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Show June 1998 Mormon Miracle Pageant Supplement Former Temple President foresaw beginnings of Mormon Miracle Pageant A Manti Temple president cavated over the hill. President foresaw by several years the proAnderson put his arm around me, duction of the Mormon Miracle and waving his other hand back Pageant which has come to be an and forth, he said, Brother annual event on the south slope of Nelson, some day this will be the the temple hill and has earned the most beautiful spot of the entire title of the temple hill. And now I am going outdoor pageant in the to tell you something that you canUnited States. not at this time comprehend, and In the summer of 1956, Glen I don't know what it is that is goA. Nelson, a local workman, along ing to happen. You will live to see with a friend, Billy Duncan, was it; but I will not; but there will be engaged in hauling rock to create thousands of people come to this a parking lot on the south slope of hillside. He repeated, I will not the temple. According to local see it, but you will. sources, Mr. Nelson was a It ran through my mind at straightforward individual who that time that it must be the gathwas not afraid to speak out. Alering of the ten tribes or some such though he had accepted the job of event during the millennium, or working on the excavation, he felt some far-othe action was tantamount to destime, but now I know he enviecration of the temple hill, and sioned the Mormon Miracle Pagwhen the opportunity afforded, he eant, which his own son, R. Clair confided his feelings to the temple Anderson, was instrumental in president. In a later, w itnessed letstarting which sees over a hundred ter, Mr. Nelson recalled the cir- thousand yearly come to the spot cumstances of that conversation: L.R. Anderson was talking about. In the summer of 956, w as Many people have stories or working for the Oakland Conrecollections like this which they struction Company with my large have repeated to family memdump truck engaged in making the bers, observed Mrs. Jane south parking lot at the Manti Braithwaite, a granddaughter of Temple Hill. I would park my President Anderson, but so few truck while it was being loaded. actually take the time to write This gave me the opportunity for these things down and to even a few minutes chatting w ith Presihave them witnessed. How fortudent L. R. Anderson, who was nate we arc that Mr. Nelson took president of the temple at that this action before he passed away, time. He would come out from and left posterity this record. Mr. time to time to see how the work Duncan, who was w ith him, is now was progressing. dead, too, and this memory might One day as we stood on the have died away if (Mr. Nelson) south rim of the hill I told him I hadn't taken the time to preserve didnt like what we were doing as it." we would haul the huiie rock ex ht ff 1 1 A Brief History of the Manti Temple y, arriving in November, 1849, they sought refuge from bitterly cold winter storms in shelters dug out of the side of the hill. In their digging they discovered layers of cream-colore- d oolite stone, which would later be used for building the temple and other structures in the valley, as well as other areas of the state and throughout the United States. Spring brought relief from the cold, but with warmer weather hundreds of rattlesnakes came hissing and rattling from their w inter hibernation in the rock ledges. They slithered into the dugouts, homes and wagons of the pioneers. Miraculously, in the day s of fighting to get rid of the snakes, not one person was bitten. The City of Manti was soon laid out at the foot of the hill in typical Mormon fashion, with square blocks and w idc streets. An irrigation system was built, crops were planted, and homes were begun. Two forts were built to provide protection from hostile Indians, using adobe and oolite stone from the temple site. In the following years, many Mormon converts from Scandinavia, England and Wales made their homes in the $4,889.74 from 50 cent monthly donations. This was at a time when money was scarce, and people lived in humble circumstances. valley, bringing their European culture and traditions with them. Preparation of the temple site A temple in Manti had been took two years of labor w ith horse-draw- n discussed as early as 1854, but it scrapers and dynamite. was not until April 25, 1877, just William H. Folsom of Salt Lake three months before his death, that City, the architect, niov ed to Manti to supervise construction of the Brigham Young formally dedicated the site for this I louse of the temple; Canute Peterson, a Danish convert, supervised the raising Lord. Pioneers in this valley, and in of funds. Many of the workmen surrounding areas, worked and were artisans and craftsmen, who sacrificed and gave freely of their brought with them excellent skills time and labor for the 1 years of learned in Europe. Most building the temple construction. Much of materials were obtained locally, the cost had to be paid from local although sonic fine hardwood was contributions. Volunteer labor, imported from the East for use in cash, lumber, beef, pork, chickens, the interior. The basic rectangular plan of butter, wheat, cloth, quilts, tools, the building is similar to earlier overalls, and many other items, were accepted as donations. Eggs Latter-da- y Saint temples in Ohio laid on Sunday were called and Illinois, but the details of deTemple Eggs, and were donated sign are a harmonious blend of to the temple storehouse. By popular 19th century styles. ButMarch 31, 1879, less than two tressed walls and battlements show the influence of the Gothic years after the ground was dedicated, it was reported that Revival. The stone walls were $ 1 7,406.29 for the Manti Temple built three feet thick at the base, had been received in Sunday and the elegant towers recall the with an additional French Second Empire style. The 1 investment YOUR CHILDREN taller east tower rises 179 feet above the ground. Workmanship throughout is superb, and two circular stairways rise 90 feet in graceful spirals without central supports. Murals the rooms were in Latter-da- y painted by Saint artists: C.C.A. Christensen. Dan Wcggeland, John I lafen. J.B. Fairbanks, Minerva Teichcrt and John Shepherd. well-know- n Thousands attended the temple dedication in May, 1888. In almost continual use since that time, the temple was closed for renovation in the fall of 1981, and reded icated in June, 1985. Originally planned with ter races, the temple grounds were landscaped in 1907, when lawns, trees and shrubs were planted. These beautiful gardens form the setting for The Mormon Miracle Pageant, a historical and religious drama, w hich attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world each summer. Recognized as one of the best examples of pioneer architecture in the West, the temple is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visible from throughout the valley, the Manti Temple remains an e monument to the courage, endurance and faith of the pioneers. Remember: The Manti Temple Grounds are considered sacred. Please be reverent and do not take food or drinks onto the grounds. W WATER Don't lose your greatest from iJ Please pay special attention that your children do not become lost. Take an extra minute to check that everyone is there. Hold hands. Don 7 rush. Protect your children! your greatest investment A thought from Moroni Feed Credit Union Sanpetes largest credit union. Member owned & operated. Member NCUA eSS) fe Every year, hundreds of thousands ofpeople attend the Mormon Miracle Pageant. With so many attending, it is very easy for children to become lost in the large crowds, especially after dark. I 13 Standing majestically above Central Utah's Sanpete Valley, the Manti Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da- y Saints is one of the most remarkable sights in the state. Admired for its beauty of design and craftsmanship, as well as its dramatic location, this fine example of pioneer architecture recalls the artistic technical skill, and religious devotion of the early Latter-da- y Saints. Even before the temple was built, the hill where it stands was the center for much of the history of the area. When the first 50 families were sent to this valley by Church President Brigham Young, 1 The Dedication on west temple steps, November 13, 1907. John R. Nielson Photo Page THE WATER EXPERTS. V GET 10 GALLONS & ERE DRINKING WATER ERE COOLER FOR 2 WEEKS! Free delivery anywhere in Utah in Salt Lake 530-098- 4 |