--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Gates, Susa Young collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 26 number: 12 published: 1923-10 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Susa Young Gates, "Dedication of the Alberta Temple", *Improvement Era* 26, no. 12 (October 1923): 1139–1141.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera26012unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera26012unse start_page: 1139 end_page: 1141 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1923-10) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera26012unse publication_year: 1923 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1923, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Dedication of the Alberta Temple Dedication of the Alberta Temple By Susa Young Gates The dedication of the Alberta Temple at Cardston, begin- ning August 26 and closing August 29, was pronounced one of the most glorious occasions witnessed in the history of the Church. It was the first time since the opening of the British mission in April, 1840, when the General Authorities of the Church were removed as it were in a body from the head- quarters of the Church. In England, there were Elders Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Parley P. Pratt, Orson Hyde, Willard Richards, Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor and George Albert Smith, all apostles. There were present at the dedication of the Alberta temple, Presidents Heber J. Grant and Anthony W. Ivins, of the First Presidency, Elders Rudger Clawson, George Albert Smith, George F. Richards, Joseph Fielding Smith, James E. Talmage, Stephen L. Richards, Rich- ard R. Lyman, Melvin J. Ballard, John A. Widtsoe, of the Council of the Twelve, and Presiding Patriarch Hyrum G. Smith. President Charles W. Penrose remained in Salt Lake City in charge of Church affairs, and was assisted by Bishop Charles W. Nibley in his executive duties during the absence of the Presidency. Those absent from the Council of the Twelve were Elders Reed Smoot, Orson F. Whitney and David O. McKay. The First Council of Seventy was represented by Elders Rulon S. Wells and Joseph W. McMurrin; and the Presiding Bishopric by Bishop David A. Smith. Eleven dedicatory services were held and there were 6,309 people in attendance at the various sessions. The weather was propitious, the temple and its grounds and the surrounding gardens and approach were perfect in appoint- ments and artistic in design. Costly as the temple has been, the concensus of opinion expressed by President Grant and his asso- ciates was that the end justified the means. The temple in the past has proved a great factor in establishing the name and character of the Latter-day Saints as a valuable asset 1o the Dominion of Canada, and the future, it was declared, will prove of even greater educational value to visitors, at the same time tend to unify and strengthen the Saints in that section of country in spiritual matters. The dedicatory prayer, written and delivered by President Heber J. Grant, gave the keynote to all of the subsequent exer- cises. It was offered with moving emphasis at each session of 1140 IMPROVEMENT ERA the services, and was followed by the sacred shout of Hosanna — led by the President — according to the pattern set by the Prophet Joseph Smith in the Kirtland temple, and given in each of the dedicatory services of former temples. There was a wav- ing of handkerchiefs, and the mighty shout which went up found echo not only in the hearts of the living present, but, as testified to by various speakers, was participated in by the spirits of the prophets and Church founders who, doubtless, were present at the dedication. Perhaps the most striking phase of the services was the general concentration of the speakers upon the subject of tem- ples and the spirit and meaning of the labor therein performed, extraneous topics being largely excluded during the four days' exercises. The music, some of it written for the occasion, by Canadian musicians and hymn-writers, was particularly good. The three stakes of Zion in Canada furnished their own choirs, each being led by the respective stake choristers. The president of each stake was represented in the services through engaging in the opening or closing prayers, and by testimonies given through the various services. Great credit is due to President Edward J. Wood for his masterly handling of the details of the services. He was ably assisted by Presidents Heber S. Allen and Hugh B. Brown, as well as by his own counselors, Brothers Thomas Duce and Sterling Williams. The people of Canada opened their homes and offered highly appreciated hospitality to the hundreds of visitors who attended during the auspicious occasion. The flowers and land- scape effects in the grounds round about the temple, the stately granite outer walls, the rare woods in the interior furnishings, as well as the exquisite bas-relief before the fountain at the temple gates, and the font within the lower room of the temple, are appealing works of art and beautiful to look upon. The paintings in the rooms by our locally famous artists are won- derful and contribute largely to the beauty of the structure. The remarks of the speakers, comprising the Presidency, the Twelve, the Presiding Patriarch, the Seventies, and other visiting authorities, were significant, full of religious fervor and spiritual appeal. President Grant, who spoke at the close of each session arose to supreme heights in his appealing spiritual exhortations. A^mong the choice topics treated by him was the fundamental truth, that "the strength of the Church is the individual testi- mony of its members." The story of his calling into the ministry, the prophecies made in tongues by Eliza R. Snow and Zina D. H. Young, the prophetic utterance of Patriarch Row- berry, the manifestation vouchsafed him in Arizona concerning DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE AT ALBERTA 1141 his appointment to the Council of the Twelve, touched the hearts of all present and moved many to tears. He comforted the Saints by assuring them that the "faithful father and mother who have passed away have a wonderful influence upon their chil- dren here on earth." He told the Canadian Saints that they would never have had the privilege of creating a temple in that land except for the spirit of justice and righteousness which per- vades the government of the British Empire. He expressed con- fidence in the British government, for fair play had been the rule in every land over which floats the Union Jack. Each ser- vice was blessed and instructed by the President's own ministry, and the testimony of all present was deepened and enriched in his prophetic leadership and holy calling. Good Philosophy I asked a sister in passing, "Well, how are things today?" And she answered me quick and clearly, In a bright and cheerful way: "There are plenty of things to growl at, But we've got to live them down." Her face was sunny and pleasant When there might have been a frown. "There is no use in growling, I've got to do my part, And keep a smile on my face, friend, As well as in my heart." These wise, sweet words were cheering, And helped me on my way; For we all have things to growl at, That worry us day by day. I've been doing a lot of thinking, And this is part of my thought — Do we all meet life as bravely And pleasantly as we ought? For there's plenty in life to growl at, No matter how fair things be; And I want you to learn the answer, That sister gave to me. Hobart, Tasmainu A. C. A. Dean Hewer