A Religious Wonder

Which LDS property made the list of the Eight Religious Wonders in the United States?

A)     Martins Cove

B)     Salt Lake Temple

C)     Nauvoo Temple

D)     The Sacred Grove

Yesterday’s answers:

1.                    (B)   Cloth would be bought cheaper on the streets of Salt Lake City than what could be purchased in New York City

Before the close of the year 1848 the population of the valley had reached five thousand. This heavy influx of immigrants seriously taxed the resources of the community. Hunger and hardship were common that winter, and these circumstances added to the discouragement of many. In the midst of these trying conditions, Heber C. Kimball, speaking before the people in one of their meetings, prophesied that in less than one year there would be plenty of clothing and other needed articles sold on the streets of Salt Lake City for less than in New York or St. Louis.

     Such a situation was incredible, but the fulfillment of that prophecy came about, and in remarkable fashion.

     Thinking to get rich with the sale of goods in California, eastern merchants had loaded great wagon trains with clothing, tools, and other items for which there would be a demand at the gold diggings. But on reaching Salt Lake City they learned that competitors had beaten them by shipping around the Cape.

     Their only interest then was to unload what they had for what price they could get and go on to California as quickly as possible. Auctions were held from their wagons on the streets of Salt Lake City. Cloth and clothing sold for less than they could be bought for in New York. Badly needed tools could be had for less than in St. Louis. Fine teams, jaded from the long journey, were eagerly traded for the fatter but less valuable stock of the Mormons. Good heavy wagons, in great demand in the mountain colony, were traded for lighter vehicles in which the gold seekers could make better time.

B.H. Roberts, A Comprehensive History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Century One, 6 vols. (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1930), 3:349-50; Truth Restored, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1979), 110-11.

2.      (D)   The mouth piece of the Lord

Just the other day Orville Allen came into the office to talk to me intimately and confidentially. After closing the door, he said, “Spencer, your father was a prophet. He made a prediction that has literally come to pass, and I want to tell you about it.” He continued, “Your father talked with me at the corral, one evening. I had brought a load of pumpkins for his pigs. You were just a little boy and you were sitting there, milking the cows, and singing to them as you milked. Your father turned to me and said, ‘Brother, that boy, Spencer, is an exceptional boy. He always tries to mind me, whatever I ask him to do. I have dedicated him to be one of the mouthpieces of the Lord-the Lord willing. You will see him some day as a great leader. I have dedicated him to the service of God, and he will become a mighty man in the Church.’”

Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1972), xvi-xvii.

3.      (B)   17

Asael Smith, the father of Joseph Smith Sr., self prophesied that one of his descendants would revolutionize the religious world. This prophecy was fulfilled with the life and death of the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr. To be honest with you, this barely scratched the surface. Let’s study further the continuation of this prophecy as far as it applies to leadership on the Smith line:

Prophets: 4

Apostles: 3

Patriarchs: 8

Presiding Bishop: 1

Assistant to the Twelve: 1

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Church History In The Fulness Of Times (Salt Lake City: Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1993), 76.