“The House of the Lord”

71 IMPROVEMENT ERA either in this world or the world to come, and not until then, of course, may he claim all the blessings. The earlier he accepts, the earlier will he obtain the blessings, and if he neglects to accept the laws, in this world, knowing them to be true, it is reasonable to suppose that disadvantages will result that will cause him deep regret. Joseph F. Smith. 'The House of the Lord' This new book, dealing with the subject of temples and temple work, has recently issued from the Deseret News printing establishment, and the Era has received a copy. The matter consists of 336 pages, including forty-six full-page, photo plates. Of this number thirty-one are first-class interior views of the Salt Lake temple, each picture protected by copyright, showing every room in the great structure. The text and descriptions, printed on high-class cameo of dull finish, are by the well-known author, Dr. James E. Talmage, one of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the opening chapter is given a general view of sanctuaries of ancient and modern times ; followed by a chapter enlarging on sanctuaries of early dispensations. "The Need of Temples in the Present Dispensation" is treated in chapter three which is reproduced in full by courtesy of the publishers as the leading article in this number of the Era, and which answers the important question, "Why do the Latterday Saints build and maintain temples?" The remaining eight chapters deal with "Modern Temple Ordinances," a detailed consideration of modern temple service, under the headings (1) baptisms, specifically baptisms for the dead; (2) ordinations and associated endowments in the priesthood; (3) marriage ceremonies; (4) other sealing ordinances; "Modern-day Temples," including data concerning those at Kirtland and Nauvoo; and a historic treatise of the "Great Temple at Salt Lake City," with a description of its exterior, its emblematical stones, and its architectural style, — a style which the architect, Joseph D. C. Young, told the author might be called the "Romanesque modifield by the Castellated." In chapter eight, the interior, including