The Nauvoo Temple and Ordinances Therein--Important Events
1840-1842
The House of the Lord
In the various gathering places of the Saints from the days of Kirtland
the Lord commanded that temples to his name should be built. In Jackson
County and Far West, they were prevented from building temples by
their enemies, who drove them from their homes. At the conference of
the Church held in October, 1840, President Joseph Smith spoke of the
necessity of building a "house of the Lord" in Nauvoo. Reynolds Cahoon,
Elias Higbee and Alpheus Cutler were appointed a committee to build
such a house. On motion it was also resolved that a commencement be
made ten days from that date (Oct. 3, 1840) "and that every tenth day
he appropriated for the building of the temple." Early in January,
1841, the First Presidency issued a proclamation to the Saints
scattered abroad, in which they stated that "the temple of the Lord is
in progress of erection here, where the Saints will come to worship
the God of their fathers, according to the order of his house and the
powers of the Holy Priesthood, and will be so constructed as to enable
all the functions of the Priesthood to be duly exercised, and where
instructions from the Most High will be received."
The Revelation of January 19, 1841
A very important revelation was received January 19, 1841, dealing with
various subjects, but particularly with the building of the temple and
the ordinances to be performed therein. The Lord declared that the
prayers of the Prophet were acceptable to him, and he was called upon
to make a solemn proclamation of the Gospel to "all the kings of the
world, to the four corners thereof; to the honorable President-elect,
and the high-minded governors of the nation . . . and to all the
nations of the earth." It was to be written in the spirit of meekness,
yet of warning, for he was "about to call on them to give heed to the
light and glory of Zion, for the set time has come to favor her." The
Lord would visit the mighty and the rulers of the earth in the day
of his visitation. Therefore, said he, "Awake, O kings of the earth!
Come ye, O, come ye, with your gold and your silver, to the help of my
people, to the house of the daughters of Zion."
The Saints to Come from Afar
The Saints were also commanded to come from afar. Messengers were to
be chosen and sent unto them saying: "Come ye, with all your gold, and
your silver, and your precious stones, and with all your antiquities;
and with all who have knowledge of antiquities, that will come, may
come, and bring the box tree, and the fir tree, and the pine tree,
together with all the precious trees of the earth; and with iron, with
copper, and with brass, and with zinc, and your precious things of the
earth, and build a house to my name for the Most High to dwell therein."
Fulness of the Priesthood
"For there is not a place," said the Lord, "found on earth where he may
come and restore again that which was lost unto you, or which he hath
taken away, even the fulness of the Priesthood," which fulness can only
be obtained in the house of the Lord.
The Kirtland Temple and its Mission
This declaration from the Lord would indicate that the purpose for
which the Kirtland Temple was erected was now fulfilled, and its
mission completed; and this was indeed the case. The Kirtland Temple
served temporarily only. It was built because a house was necessary
where the Lord could come and restore the various keys of former
dispensations, that the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times might
be made complete. In the Kirtland Temple the Lord gave a partial
endowment, but not in the fulness, that the apostles and others might
be endowed with necessary power to go forth "to prune the vineyard
for the last time." But the great object was the restoration of the
keys of former dispensations. When these were bestowed, then greater
light was revealed, and the full purpose of temples and ordinance work
therein was made known. It then became necessary that a house of the
Lord should be built that would be perfect in all its parts, which was
not the case in the structure of the Kirtland Temple. That edifice,
although one of the most important ever erected by the Church, was
not a complete structure as temples are understood through increased
revelation. In it there were no provisions for the salvation of the
dead; it had not a baptismal font--a fundamental part of the perfect
temple--and therefore, since it had filled the measure of its creation,
the Lord declared in the revelation of January, 1841, that there was
not a house on the earth where he could come to bestow the fulness of
the Priesthood and introduce the essential ordinances for the salvation
of both the living and the dead. Moroni, John the Baptist, Peter, James
and John, all came before there was a temple; but their coming was
necessary that the foundation might be laid and the Church established.
The Lord has made provision that in the sacred grove, the forest, and
on the mountain top, such keys may be bestowed, when there is no temple
erected to his name, and in the poverty of the people. Otherwise such
keys are to be received only in the temple reared to his holy name.
Baptism for the Dead
The doctrine of baptism for the dead was first made known to the
Saints in a discourse by the Prophet at the funeral of Elder Seymour
Brunson, August 10, 1840. This doctrine was not understood by him until
after the restoration of the keys and the Priesthood of Elijah in the
Kirtland Temple, although it had been referred to since the night of
the first appearance of Moroni. In this revelation of January, 1841,
the Lord revealed greater light regarding this wonderful principle.
It was here made known that this ordinance was to be performed in the
temple of the Lord. A baptismal font for this purpose was to be placed
in the basement of the temple, "as a simile of the grave," and was
commanded to be in a place underneath where the living are wont to
assemble, to show forth the living and the dead; and that all things
may have their likeness, and that they may accord one with another;
that which is earthly conforming to that which is heavenly" (Doc. and
Cov. Sec. 128:13).
In an epistle to the Twelve Apostles, who were at the time in Europe,
President Joseph Smith, October 19, 1840, made the following statement:
"I presume the doctrine of 'baptism for the dead' has ere this
reached your ears, and may have raised some inquiries in your minds
respecting the same. I cannot in this letter give you all the
information you may desire on the subject; but aside from knowledge
independent of the Bible, I would say that it was certainly
practiced by the ancient churches; and St. Paul endeavors to prove
the doctrine of the resurrection from the same, and says, 'Else
what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead
rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?'
"I first mentioned the doctrine in public when preaching the
funeral sermon of Brother Seymour Brunson; and have since then
given general instructions in the Church on the subject. The Saints
have the privilege of being baptized for those of their relatives
who are dead, whom they believe would have embraced the Gospel, if
they had been privileged with hearing it, and who have received the
Gospel in the spirit, through the instrumentality of those who have
been commissioned to preach to them while in prison."
The Rite Performed in the River
After this doctrine was revealed the Lord granted the Saints the
privilege of performing the ordinance of baptism for the dead in the
Mississippi River, until such time as a font could be prepared in the
basement of the temple. When a temporary font was prepared, and long
before the temple was completed, this privilege of baptizing for the
dead in any other place than the temple was discontinued by commandment
of the Lord. So important was this work in behalf of the salvation of
the worthy dead, that the Lord declared that the living could not be
made perfect without them, and, when the opportunity presented itself,
should the members of the Church fail to perform the ordinance for
their dead, the Lord said he would reject them, for the dead were to be
saved by the same principles which would save the living.
Things Hid from the Foundation of the World
Not only was the ordinance of baptism for the dead to be performed in
the temple, but the Lord promised to reveal many things "which have
been kept hid from before the foundation of the world, things that
pertain to the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times." Here the keys of
the Holy Priesthood were to be received, for such were ordained to be
obtained in temples that the Saints may receive honor and glory, both
the living and, by proxy, the dead, even those blessings by which they
should be crowned with honor, immortality and eternal life.
The Nauvoo House
Another house was also to be built in Nauvoo. This was the Nauvoo
House, a place for the boarding of strangers. Joseph Smith, Sidney
Rigdon, Hyrum Smith, and many others were called upon to "pay
stock" for themselves and their seed after them "from generation to
generation," in this house. It was to be a place where the "weary
traveler may find health and safety while he shall contemplate the word
of the Lord; and the corner stone [stake] I have appointed for Zion,"
said the Lord. Those who took stock were not to pay less than fifty
dollars, and not more than fifteen thousand dollars for any one man.
The Calling of Hyrum Smith
Another important commandment in this revelation was the appointment
of Hyrum Smith, to act as patriarch in the office which had been held
by his father, and also his ordination to be a "prophet, seer and
revelator" unto the Church, as well as Joseph Smith. The Lord had
pointed out several years before, when Joseph Smith, Sen., was called
to be the patriarch of the Church, that this office was his by right of
lineage, and descended from father to son, and was the right based on
faithfulness of the first born. At the time of Hyrum Smith's call, he
was serving as second counselor in the First Presidency, a place he was
called to occupy after the transgression of Frederick G. Williams. The
revelation relating to this appointment reads as follows:
"And again, verily I say unto you, let my servant William [Law] be
appointed, ordained, and anointed, as a counselor unto my servant
Joseph [Smith] in the room of my servant Hyrum, that my servant
Hyrum may take the office of Priesthood and Patriarch, which was
appointed unto him by his father, by blessing and also by right.
"That from henceforth he shall hold the keys of the patriarchal
blessing upon the heads of all my people;
"That whoever he blesses shall be blessed, and whoever he curses
shall be cursed; that whatsoever he shall bind on earth shall be
bound in heaven; and whatsoever he shall loose on earth shall be
loosed in heaven.
"And from this time forth I appoint unto him that he may be a
prophet, and a seer and a revelator unto my Church, as well as my
servant Joseph.
"That he may act in concert also with my servant Joseph, and that
he shall receive counsel from my servant Joseph, who shall show
unto him the keys whereby he may ask and receive, and be crowned
with the same blessing, and glory, and honor, and Priesthood, and
gifts of the Priesthood, that once were put upon him that was my
servant Oliver Cowdery;
"That my servant Hyrum may bear record of the things which I shall
show unto him, that his name may be had in honorable remembrance
from generation to generation, forever and ever."
Oliver Cowdery's Blessing Transferred to Hyrum Smith
Oliver Cowdery, as we have learned, stood with the Prophet Joseph Smith
in holding the keys of the kingdom. He was associated with Joseph
Smith in all his ordinations and in the bestowal of keys from the
heavens from the beginning. It was Oliver Cowdery, not Sidney Rigdon or
Frederick G. Williams, who knelt with the Prophet Joseph at the altar
in the Kirtland Temple, April 3, 1836, when the Savior, Moses, Elias,
Elijah, and perhaps other ancient prophets, came and conferred with
them, bestowing keys, Priesthood and authority of former dispensations
that all things might be complete and perfect in the Dispensation of
the Fulness of Times. All these blessings Oliver Cowdery would have
held throughout eternity, if he had remained faithful and true to his
calling; but he fell away, and therefore the Lord bestowed these gifts,
blessings, and powers of presidency, upon the head of Hyrum Smith, the
faithful brother of the Prophet Joseph, of whom the Lord also said
in this revelation: "And again, verily I say unto you, blessed is my
servant Hyrum Smith, for I, the Lord, love him because of the integrity
of his heart, and because he loveth that which is right before me."
Sunday, January 24, 1841, Hyrum Smith received the ordination to these
holy callings under the hands of President Joseph Smith. On the same
occasion George Miller was ordained a bishop in the place of Edward
Partridge, deceased.
Laying Corner Stones of the Temple
April 6, 1841, which was the eleventh anniversary of the organization
of the Church, the corner stones of the Nauvoo Temple were laid.
Early in the morning fourteen companies of the Nauvoo Legion, and
two military companies from across the river in Iowa, assembled and
were conducted to the grounds assigned for the general review. During
the forenoon, various military maneuvers were conducted. It was an
impressive scene. At twelve o'clock the procession arrived at the
temple grounds and the ceremonies of laying the corner stones were
commenced. President Sidney Rigdon addressed the assembly at some
length after which the architects, under the direction of the First
Presidency, lowered the south-east corner stone to its place, and the
Prophet said:
"This principal corner stone in representation of the First
Presidency, is now duly laid in honor of the Great God; and may
it there remain until the whole fabric is completed; and may the
same be accomplished speedily; that the Saints may have a place to
worship God, and the Son of Man have where to lay his head."
Adjournment was taken for one hour and after the people reassembled
the three other corner stones were laid in the following order: the
south-west, the north-west and the north-east, after which the services
were closed.
Order of Temple Building
The Prophet later gave instructions pertaining to the order of the
laying of corner stones of temples as follows:
"If the strict order of the Priesthood were carried out in
the building of Temples, the first stone would be laid at the
south-east corner, by the First Presidency of the Church. The
south-west corner should be laid next; the third, or north-west
corner, next; and the fourth, or northeast corner, last. The First
Presidency should lay the southeast corner stone and dictate who
are the proper persons to lay the other corner stones.
"If a temple is built at a distance, and the First Presidency
are not present, then the quorum of the Twelve Apostles are the
persons to dictate the order for that temple; and in the absence
of the Twelve Apostles, then the presidency of the stake will lay
the south-east corner stone; the Melchizedek Priesthood laying
the corner stones on the east side of the temple, and the Lesser
Priesthood those on the west side."
Baptisms in the River Discontinued
At the conference of the Church held in Nauvoo, October 2nd to 5th,
1841, the Prophet made this announcement: "There shall be no more
baptisms for the dead, until the ordinance can be attended to in the
Lord's House; and the Church shall not hold another General Conference,
until they can meet in said house. _For thus saith the Lord!_" The
reason for this announcement was that the temple had progressed so far
that the font in the basement had been prepared for this ordinance,
therefore, baptisms for the dead could no longer be performed in the
river.
Dedication of the Font in the Temple
One month later, November 8, 1841, the baptismal font in the temple was
dedicated. President Brigham Young was spokesman. The font is described
as being situated in the center of the basement room, under the main
hall of the temple. It was constructed of pine timber, and put together
of staves tongued and grooved, oval shaped, sixteen feet long east and
west, and twelve feet wide, seven feet high from the foundation, the
basin four feet deep, the moulding of the cap and base were formed of
beautiful carved work. It stood upon twelve oxen, four on each side,
and two at each end, their heads, shoulders, and fore legs projecting
out from under the font. The oxen and ornamental mouldings were carved
by Elder Elijah Fordham, which took him eight months to finish. This
font was replaced later by a permanent font which was more durable.
First Baptisms in the Temple
Sunday, November 21, 1841, the twelve met in council at President
Brigham Young's house, and at four o'clock they repaired to the
baptismal font in the temple, where President Brigham Young, Elders
Heber C. Kimball and John Taylor baptized about forty persons for their
dead. Elders Willard Richards, Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith,
confirmed them. These were the first baptisms for the dead in the
font in the Lord's House. From this time forth, as long as the Saints
remained in Nauvoo, baptisms for the dead were performed in the temple.
Death of Don Carlos Smith
Sunday, August 7, 1841, Don Carlos Smith, the youngest brother of the
Prophet, died in Nauvoo. He was only twenty-six years of age, and was
one of the first to receive the testimony of the Prophet. He received
the Priesthood when but fourteen years of age, and in 1836 was made
president of the high priests' quorum. He was on a mission in Tennessee
and Kentucky in 1838. During his absence in the midst of winter his
wife was driven from her home which was burned, and she was forced to
wade Grand River with her two little children. In Kirtland he labored
in the office of Oliver Cowdery and learned the art of printing. In the
flight of his father's family from Missouri in the winter of 1839, he
took charge, and saw them removed to Quincy, Illinois. In June, 1839,
he commenced making preparations for printing the _Times and Seasons_,
a periodical published in Nauvoo. The press and type had been rescued
by Elias Smith, Hyrum Clark and others, from Dawson's yard in Far West,
where it had been buried the night that place was besieged by the
mob-militia under General Lucas. The _Times and Seasons_ was issued by
Don Carlos Smith and Ebenezer Robinson, the first number appearing in
November, 1839. At the time of his death the editors were Don Carlos
Smith and Robert B. Thompson. Don Carlos was six feet four inches tall,
was very straight, strong and active. The Prophet said of him: "I never
knew any fault in him; I never saw the first immoral act, or the first
irreligious or ignoble disposition in the child from the time he was
born until the time of his death. He was a lovely, a good-natured, a
kind-hearted, and a virtuous and faithful, upright child; and where his
soul goes, let mine go also."
Death of Robert B. Thompson
Three weeks later, Robert Brashel Thompson, general Church recorder,
died at his residence in Nauvoo, in the thirtieth year of his age. As
already stated, he was associate editor of the _Times and Seasons_, and
had been engaged in writing for the Prophet and for the Church, and
was a colonel in the Nauvoo Legion. In 1837, he married Mercy Rachel
Fielding, sister of Mary Fielding Smith, wife of the Patriarch Hyrum
Smith. He and his associate Don Carlos Smith, both fell victims to the
unhealthful conditions which prevailed in Nauvoo at the time of its
settlement.
Dedication of Palestine
Early Sunday morning, October 24, 1841, Elder Orson Hyde, of the
council of the twelve, ascended the Mount of Olives and dedicated
by prayer the land of Palestine for the gathering of the Jews. He
was appointed to this mission at the April conference in 1840. Elder
John E. Page was also appointed to go with him, but lost the spirit
of his mission before he reached the eastern border of the United
States, and failed to cross the water, leaving Elder Hyde to make the
journey alone. After passing through many difficulties and privations
Elder Hyde arrived in Jerusalem in October, 1841. He prayed "for the
gathering together of Judah's scattered remnants," according to the
predictions of the holy prophets; for the building of Jerusalem again
after it has been trodden down by the Gentiles so long; and for rearing
a temple to the name of the Lord. "Grant, therefore," he prayed, "O
Lord, in the name of thy well-beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to remove the
barrenness and sterility of this land, and let springs of living water
break forth to water its thirsty soil. Let the vine and olive produce
in their strength, and the fig tree bloom and flourish. Let the land
become abundantly fruitful and possessed by its rightful heirs; let
it again flow with plenty to feed the returning prodigals who come
home with a spirit of grace and supplication. Upon it let the clouds
distill virtue and richness, and let the fields smile with plenty.
Let the flocks and the herds greatly increase and multiply upon the
mountains and the hills; and let thy great kindness conquer and subdue
the unbelief of thy people. Do thou take from them their stony heart,
and give them a heart of flesh; and may the sun of thy favor dispel the
cold mists of darkness which have beclouded their atmosphere. Incline
them to gather in upon this land according to thy word. Let them come
like clouds and like doves to their windows. Let the large ships of the
nations bring them from the distant isles; and let kings become their
nursing fathers, and queens with motherly fondness wipe the tear of
sorrow from their eye."
In this manner Elder Hyde prayed upon the Mount of Olives, dedicating
the land for the return of the remnant of Judah from the four corners
of the earth. He also erected a pile of stones as a witness according
to the ancient custom, on the top of the Mount of Olives, and another
on the top of Mount Moriah, where the ancient temple stood.
Orson Hyde of the House of Judah
Elder Orson Hyde was of the house of Judah. It was therefore very
proper that he, as one of the apostles of the Lord in this last
dispensation, should be sent to bless the land for the gathering of the
Jews. At one time, nearly ten years before, the following blessing was
pronounced upon him: "In due time thou shalt go to Jerusalem, the land
of thy fathers, and be a watchman unto the house of Israel; and by thy
hand shall the Most High do a work, which shall prepare the way and
greatly facilitate the gathering of that people."[1]
The Book of Abraham
During the month of March the Prophet prepared for publication his
translation of the Book of Abraham, which he commenced to translate
while residing at Kirtland. Due to the persecutions and drivings of the
Saints this matter could not be attended to before this time, but the
manuscript had been carefully preserved, and was now published for the
benefit of the Church and all the world. This work together with the
Book of Moses, has since been received among the standard works of the
Church.
The Wentworth Letter
At the request of Mr. John Wentworth, editor of the Chicago Democrat,
the Prophet prepared an article for publication giving a brief history
of the Church. This history was published in the _Times and Seasons_,
March 1, 1842. Mr. Wentworth stated that he wished to furnish the
information to a Mr. Bastow who was writing a history of New Hampshire.
This article is one of the earliest documents giving a consecutive
account of the history of the Church. It is concise and comprehensive,
yet covers only a few pages. The most important feature in this paper
is the publication therein, for the first time, of the Articles of
Faith. These articles, thirteen in number, were given by inspiration,
and form a simple, comprehensive declaration of many doctrines of the
Church, which have since been accepted by the vote of the Church as a
standard epitome of belief. They are as follows:
"We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in His Son Jesus Christ,
and in the Holy Ghost.
"We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not
for Adam's transgression.
"We believe that through the atonement of Christ all mankind may be
saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.
"We believe that these ordinances are 1st: Faith in the Lord
Jesus Christ; 2nd: Repentance; 3rd: Baptism by immersion for the
remission of sins; 4th: Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy
Ghost.
"We believe that a man must be called of God by 'prophecy and by
the laying on of hands' by those who are in authority, to preach
the gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
"We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive
church, namely, Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers, Evangelists,
etc.
"We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelations, visions,
healing, interpretations of tongues, etc.
"We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is
translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the
word of God.
"We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal,
and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important
things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
"We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the
restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion will be built upon this
continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth, and
that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
"We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to
the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same
privilege, let them worship how, where or what they may.
"We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and
magistrates, in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law.
"We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous,
and in doing good to all men; indeed we may say that we follow the
admonition of Paul, 'We believe all things, we hope all things,'
we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all
things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely or of good report, or
praiseworthy, we seek after these things."
Organization of the Relief Society
March 17, 1842, "The Female Relief Society of Nauvoo" was organized
by the Prophet Joseph Smith. Emma Smith was chosen president with
Elizabeth Ann Whitney and Sarah M. Cleveland, as counselors. The
purpose of the society is to furnish the sisters of the Church an
organization through which they could actively foster the welfare of
the members. The duty of the society was stated to be to aid the poor,
nurse the sick and afflicted, and in a general way, under the direction
and guidance of the bishop, to engage in true charitable work in
behalf of all whose necessities require assistance. This was the first
organization of women in the world, so far as history records. It is in
keeping with the genius of the Gospel, for the Lord provides duties and
labors for all the members of the Church, both men and women, wherein
service may be rendered for the temporal as well as the spiritual
salvation of mankind.
Inauguration of Endowments
In the revelation of January 19, 1841, the Lord promised to reveal to
Joseph Smith all things pertaining to the temple and the Priesthood
thereof, which revelation and knowledge were necessary before the
temple was erected. Wednesday, May 4, 1842, the Prophet met with his
brother, Patriarch Hyrum Smith, President Brigham Young, Elders Heber
C. Kimball, Willard Richards, James Adams of Springfield, Bishops Newel
K. Whitney and George Miller, and instructed them in the principles
and orders of the Priesthood that belong to the temple of the Lord.
He made known to them the doctrines of washings and anointings and
communications spoken of in the revelation. In this council, which was
held in the upper room over his store, Joseph Smith also instructed
these brethren in "all those plans and principles by which any one
is enabled to secure the fulness of those blessings which have been
prepared for the Church of the First Born." These same blessings, the
Prophet stated, would in due time be given in the temple to all the
Saints who were worthy to receive them. This was the introduction of
the temple ceremonies in their fulness in this dispensation, as they
apply to the living and to the dead. From time to time after this,
these instructions (_Documentary History of the Church_, vol. 5:1-2)
were repeated and the other members of the council of the twelve and
their wives, and a few others, received their endowments under the
direction of the Prophet Joseph Smith, as he was commanded to make
these things known. The members of the Church at large, however, were
required to wait until such time as these ordinances could be performed
in the temple, the place designated by the Lord for such instructions
and ordinance work to be given.
Notes
1. The evidence of the divine power accompanying the dedication of the
land of Palestine is seen in the wonderful changes which have come
over that land in recent years, and also in the changed attitude of
the Jews, in relation to their return and also their belief in Jesus
Christ. Nephi prophesied as follows regarding the restoration of the
Jews: "And it shall come to pass that the Jews which are scattered
also shall begin to believe in Christ; and they shall begin to gather
in upon the face of the land; and as many as shall believe in Christ
shall also become a delightsome people" (2 Nephi 30:7). The Savior
also referred to this in his instruction to the Nephites: "And I will
remember the covenant which I have made with my people; and I have
covenanted with them that I would gather them together in mine own
due time, that I would give unto them again the land of their fathers
for their inheritance, which is the land of Jerusalem, which is the
promised land unto them forever, saith the Father. And it shall come
to pass that the time cometh, when the fulness of my gospel shall be
preached unto them: and they shall believe in me, that I am Jesus
Christ, the Son of God, and shall pray unto the Father in my name." (3
Nephi 20:29-30).
At the time of the dedication of Palestine the feeling expressed by the
Jews towards Jesus Christ was most bitter. This condition is stated by
Dr. Isadore Singer, as follows: "When I was a boy, had my father who
was a very pious man, heard the name of Jesus uttered from the pulpit
of our synagogue, he and every other man in the congregation would have
left the building and the rabbi would have been dismissed at once.
"Now it is not strange in many synagogues to hear sermons preached
eulogistic of this Jesus, and nobody thinks of protesting--in fact, we
are all glad to claim Jesus as one of our people." Compare the letter
of Rabbi Landau, _Documentary History of the Church_, vol. 3:356.
In 1891, Baron Maurice de Hirch founded the Jewish Colonization
Association. The "Lovers of Zion" Association was commenced about 1878,
and was supported by Baron Edmund de Rothschild. The Zionist Federation
was organized in 1896, and was strongly promulgated by Theodore Herzl
of Vienna, Baron de Rothschild and many other renowned Jews. All of
these organizations were formed to aid in the colonization of the Jews
in Palestine. The first congress of the Zionist Federation was held in
Basel, Switzerland, in 1897, where the old nationalistic sentiment was
revived, and organizations were established for the gathering of the
Jews.
At the Zionist Congress held in London in 1901, Professor R. Gothell,
president of the federation, said: "It is time the nations understood
our motives. Our purpose is gradually to colonize Palestine. We
political Zionists desire a charter from the Sultan authorizing us to
settle in our Holy Land, and we ask the powers to approve and protect
this charter."
A few years ago the firm of Funk and Wagnalls published an edition
of Dr. George Croley's work: "Tarry Thou Till I Come," and in the
introduction Dr. Funk said: "It has been believed by many from the
earliest ages of the Christian era that among the signs of Christ's
coming would be the recognition of him by the Jews as one sent of the
Father; and that they would then be restored to the Father's favor."
Dr. Funk also collected a number of expressions from leading Jews,
their belief in regard to the Savior, which were published in Dr.
Croley's work. Some of them are as follows:
Rabbi Henry Berkowits: "This Jew, Jesus, is the greatest, noblest rabbi
of them all."
Morris Jastrow: "From the historic point of view, Jesus is to be
regarded as a direct successor of the Hebrew prophets. His teachings
are synonymous with the highest spiritual aspirations of the human
race."
Jacob H. Schiff: "We Jews honor and revere Jesus of Nazareth as we do
our own prophets who preceded him."
The Savior said to his disciples in relation to the destruction of
Jerusalem: "And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be
led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down
of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled" (Luke
21:24). The indication that this time of restitution is at hand is
seen in the results coming out of the capture of Palestine by General
Allenby in December, 1917, during the Great War. Since that time the
Holy Land has been under the control of the British nation, and Dr.
Herbert Samuel, an orthodox Jew, has been sent there as governor of
the land. This is the first time since before the fall of Jerusalem
(70 A. D.), which was predicted by the Savior, that a ruler from the
house of Judah has presided in that land. It is an event of great
significance.