--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Lyman, Richard R. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 31 number: 2 published: 1927-12 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Richard R. Lyman, “Dedication of the Arizona Temple,” *Improvement Era* 31, no. 2 (December 1927): 93–100." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3102unse 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: improvementera3102unse start_page: 93 end_page: 100 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1927-12) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3102unse publication_year: 1927 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 1927, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Dedication of the Arizona Temple Improvement Era Vol. XXXI DECEMBER, 1927 No. 2 Dedication of the Arizona Temple Mesa, Arizona, October 23-26, 1927 By Elder Richard R. Lyman, of the Council of the Twelve ANOTHER temple dedicated! This makes nine, eight of which still stand. Built, completed, dedicated, by Latter- day Saints, seven of these are used in sacred ordinance work, for both the living and the dead. The official visitors, fifty-two in number, spent a day in Los Angeles, the forenoon with officials of the Los Angeles stake, the noon hour with the California mission, and the afternoon under the direction of the Hollywood stake. The day came to a perfect close, when, as guests of Mr. Sid Grauman, all were thrilled with the impressive presentation of "The King of Kings." Visions made realities in the new "Chinese Theatre," pictures highly religious and with a most stirring appeal, the "Hallelujah Chorus," rendered as only a great orchestra and an immense choir can present it — all these combined to make an ideal preparation for the dedication of the temple. We still hear those great words, "King of kings and Lord of lords, and he shall reign forever and ever!" After a few hours of rest, in the day time, and one night of dreams in Mesa, we arose with the throngs of people in the midst of a scene of unrivaled beauty, the center of which was the temple. Says one Arizona paper: "Perhaps the greatest multitude ever assembled in Arizona for a religious program, gathered at sunrise yesterday in Mesa." There were acres of people, estimated at from five to eight thousand; within the temple there were twelve or fifteen hundred, while in the ward chapels, and in the Mezona Rec- reation Hall were from three to six thousand more, all of whom heard the program through amplifiers. As the eyes of these thousands turned toward the temple and DEDICATION OF THE ARIZONA TEMPLE 95 the rising sun, they beheld the combined choirs of the Los Angeles and Hollywood stakes massed on the roof of the temple. They might have exclaimed, "Who are these arrayed in white?" . Since it was through Jo3eph Smith the Prophet that this intense temple-building spirit was awakened, it was fitting that at daybreak Stephens' masterpiece, "The Vision," should be sung on the roof of this newest and latest temple, erected in the name of the King of kings and Lord of lords. Of this scene the Arizona Republican remarks: "A silvery sun appeared radiant over the hazy mountains. The great choir was standing. A hush settled over the multitude. A man raised his arm, and to his leadership 150 voices rang out in an impressive song of praise to the Lord of the universe, while 5,000 members of a faith unique in the annals of man breathed silent prayers for divine blessing on a new temple. Then for two hours followed in beautiful words and music the ever-marvelous story of the boy Joseph Smith, the boy who heard and saw many visions, who, according to the sacred story, received from his God divine revelation and inspiration which caused him to found the 'Mormon' Church." At the sunrise service President Heber J. Grant expressed grati- tude to the governors, who had always extended many courtesies; to the newspapers for their elaborate editions setting forth the program of dedication; to the state government for the welcome it had extended; and to those who were not members of the Church who attended the services. Then, in a short, intense address. Miss Lucile McMurrin explained "The Vision." Had her voice been the voice of an "angel flying through the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to every nation, kindred, tongue and people," it could hardly have been more impressive. Her clear-cut words fell dis- tinctly upon the ears of the assembled thousands. Then came the dedicatory service proper within the temple. The words of President Anthony W. Ivins aroused deep emotion. In his clear, mild, distinct voice and accurate language, he explained that he is an Arizona pioneer, having come with an expedition in 1875. There were no railroads and few settlers at that time. "Even then," he said, "I saw big possibilities for the establishment of an empire in this the Salt River Valley; but my fondest dreams have been exceeded by its marvelous industrial development." For the Church, for the down-trodden Lamanites, and for the world, he declared this day of dedication marks the beginning of important changes. During the impressive prayer of dedication, delivered by Pres- 96 IMPROVEMENT ERA ident Heber J. Grant, at the close of the remarks of President Ivins, tears came to the eyes of many listeners, some of them not members of the Church. The President invoked divine blessings on all mankind, on our country and its institutions. On behalf of the whole Church he expressed profound thanks to the Giver of all good gifts for the blessings already received. After remembering the general authorities of the Church he continued: "O Father, bless, we beseech thee, those who preside over the stakes of Zion, and in all the wards and branches of the Church, and over the various quorums of the Priesthood, whether the Melchizedek or the Aaronic. Bless those who preside over the missions throughout the world, together with all thy servants and handmaids who have gone forth to proclaim to the people of the world the restoration to the earth of the plan of life and salvation. "We pray that thy blessings may be upon the kings and rulers in all nations, that they may minister in justice and righteousness and give liberty and freedom to the people over whom they rule. "We thank thee for this land of liberty in which we dwell, which thou hast said is 'a land choice above all other lands.' We are grateful that thou did'st inspire the noble men who framed the Constitution of our beloved Country, and we beseech thee that the principles of that document may ever be maintained; that con- tention and bitterness may cease, and that peace and patriotism, love and loyalty, may prevail. * * * "We beseech thee, O Lord, that thou wilt stay the hand of the destroyer among the descendants of Lehi who reside in this land, and give unto them increasing virility and more abundant health, that they may not perish as a people, but that from this t'me forth they may increase in numbers and in strength and influence, that all the great and glorious promises made concerning the descendants of Lehi may be fulfilled in them." Perhaps no other part of the President's appeal to divine Providence moved more deeply the feelings of his hearers than did his supplication for the youth: "Keep the youth of thy people in the straight and narrow path that leads to thee; preserve them from the pitfalls and snares that are laid for their feet. Oh, Father, may our children grow up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord Jesus Christ. Protect them from infidelity and unbelief, and give unto them a testimony of the divinity of this work as thou hast given it unto us. Preserve them in purity and truth and lead them in the way of salvation. "We dedicate the ground, and the building, with all the fur- 98 IMPROVEMENT ERA nishings and fittings thereof, and everything pertaining thereunto, from the foundation to the roof, to thee, our Father and our God." In all these services no moment was more thrilling than when, under the direction of Professor H. H. Otte the combined St. Joseph stake choirs sang, with tremendous effect, the "Hallelujah Chorus," the words; "King of kings and Lord of Lords, forever and forever," recalling the same great anthem in the Chinese Theatre at Los Angeles. On the concert program Tuesday night there were actually twenty-nine numbers. The performers came from all the stakes of the temple district — Hollywood, Los Angeles, St. Johns, St. Joseph, Snowflake, Maricopa, and Juarez — each with its choicest and most expert musical performers so thoroughly prepared that there was hardly any reference to written words or music. There were choruses by combined choirs led by different con- ductors of various wards and stakes. There were vocal and instrumental solos, also readings and short addresses. The trumpet did its part; there were sextets, quartets, duets, as well as solos. We had reason to note the physical strength, the mental power, the artistic talent, and the efficient training of those who furnished numbers. A great night, a great occasion. Concerning it the Arizona Gazette says: "The roof of the temple became a shrine before which the offering of song was made. Across the fields of grain — dipping low to the listening desert, and topping the hills of the border-land — music triumphed. In the hearts of the older 'Mormons,' the music awoke and stirred vivid memories: but on the ears of the younger generation, it fell like a bugle call of a militant march of progress. The bold, free spirit of the early land had served its day; men and women bred of the same belief were creating a newer spirit, and pledging their vows to 'carry on.' Suddenly on the air there winged the song of an Indian woman — a prayer of praise and hope and joy; as her voice died on the night, a Navajo Indian man sang in his native tongue 'The Prayer of Supplication.' "Few scenes in the present day could be more picturesque than that created by the dozens of wagons and buggies carrying the Maricopa and Papago Indians to the service. All yesterday after- noon and late into the night the horses patiently stood while their owners worshiped silently — or in many cases slept in peace on the grassy court. It was their day — the day of the Lamanites. "Huge amplifiers carried the voices out over the audience. The voices of the choirs — three hundred strong — rang out in perfect unison, and the notes of the wind instruments and the piano were X 21 > 100 IMPROVEMENT ERA in splendid harmony. Even the least sensitized felt the poetry of the evening — felt it beat on restless wings, heard the call of the crusaders, and gloried with a great people in a magnificent achievement. "Mesa became the city of the world last night. The nation was watching it, and flashes on the wire told of the important feature — or that 'Mormons' from all over America were there, and all of Arizona could be found. "The dedicatory services were like nothing that had been seen here before. No religious phalanx of the New World could have more significance. The President of the five hundred thousand 'Mormons' of the world, Heber J. Grant, like no other dignitary or prelate known, mingled with the audience and clasped the hands of 'Mormons' and those of other beliefs with like sincerity." In four days, ten wonderful dedicatory services were held. Eleven well-trained choirs furnished music. In one of the sessions, two choirs sang. In each session, after giving the sacred "Hosanna" shout, the choir, furnishing the music, sang Evan Stephens' "Hosanna Anthem." The Celestial room, in which these choirs sang and in which the speakers and general authorities were seated, is located in the very top of the temple. When looking down the long stairway which leads from this room of splendor to the temple entrance on the west, one had the feeling of being located near the top of a tall cone. It was from this position that the choirs with telling effect sang in unison "Hosanna, to God and the Lamb! The House of the Lord is completed." All present were filled with awe when the choir continued singing the anthem while the audience sang the familiar hymn, "The Spirit of God like a fire is burning, the Latter- day glory begins to come forth." A Missionary Mecca Daniel Johnson, Book Commissarian, California Mission The dedication of the Arizona temple, and, perchance, receive a ride from some brought the Saints from far and near to hospitable traveler. It is a wonderful op- Mesa, where it is located. With them portunity of preaching the gospel, came also the missionaries laboring in the Wherever missionaries go, they take different mission fields. There were pres- with them the spirit of preaching the gos- ent about 135, representing the California, pel: and so, on one of the street corners Western States. Mexican, Central States, in Mesa, they congregated together on the and the Northwestern States missions. nights of Saturday and Sunday and held The missionaries traveled to the temple street meetings, gathering large crowds to by way of the train, automobile, and the listen to the gospel message expounded "Missionary Special," so-called by the from the street corner as well as from the elders, when they travel on the highway temple.