Epistle to the Saints, 20 October 1887 [LE-39716]

AN ADDRESS FROM PRESIDENT WOODRUFF

IN RELATION TO THE MANTI TEMPLE.

SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 20th, 1887.

To the Presidents of Stakes, Bishop and Saints generally:

It is with profound feelings of gratitude and thanksgiving to our heavenly Father that we announce to the Latter-day Saints that the Temple which is being erected at Manti has been so nearly completed as to be ready for the upholstering, furniture, carpets, etc., which are necessary to put it in a state of complete preparation for the sacred labors to be performed therein. This is the third building of this character which in the kind providence of God the Latter-day Saints have been permitted to erect and finish in these mountains. The Temple at Salt Lake City is also progressing in a satisfactory manner, which, when finished, will be the fourth Temple that has been constructed by the Saints under the direction of the Almighty since we came to these valleys.

How blesed are the peope who have had these glorious privileges granted unto them! Our hearts swell with inexpressible feelings of thanksgiving and joy to our Father in heaven that he has permitted His Saints to build these houses. They now have opportunities to act as Saviors of their fellowmen, which but few generations of the children of men have ever enjoyed. The great work of the restoration of the dead which will occupy the time and thought of future [8]generations has now begun, never more to end until the earth is sanctified and the plan of salvation devised in the eternal worlds for human redemption is fully consummated.

Our object in addressing you in this circular is to present to all the mem bers of the Church the opportunity of contributing, according to their means and liberality, something towards the furnishing of the Manti Temple. Here tofore the contributions for that building have been confined to the Stakes which are numbered in what is known as the "Manti Temple District." Before the Logan Temple was completed an opportunity was given to the Saints to contribute towards the purchasing of its furnishings, furniture, etc. They gladly responded to the call which was made upon them. We feel that they will, on the present occasion appreciate the privilege of contributing in like manner towards the purchasing of suitable upholstery, carpetings, etc., for the Manti Temple. The funds of the Superintendent are exhausted; and contracts are already made for needed articles, which have to be met at an early date.

Contributions will be taken from twenty-five cents upwards, so that those who are the most limited in means need not be debarred, while those who are more wealthy, can have the satisfaction and pleasure of making donations according to their ability for the completion of this noble edifice. We would like the Presidents and Bishops to give every one an opportunity of doing something in this direction, and the names of all, with the amounts contributed, should be carefuly taken.

We would like to see the names of every man, woman and child in the Church recorded in the Archives of the Temple as having contributed something towards its erection and completion.

These funds with the donors' names, can either be forwarded to the office of the Presiding Bishop or to the Chief Clerk—Brother James Jack, at the President's Office.

It is important that these collections should be made and remitted as promptly as possible, as the need for this means is pressing.

WILFORD WOODRUFF,

In behalf of the Council of the Apostles.