A Foundation Found

Provo Tabernacle prior to the fire

While preparing to rebuild the burned out Provo Tabernacle into the new Provo City Center Temple, it was decided to uncover a foundation that border the Tabernacle on the north side. This was the foundation of the original Provo Tabernacle that John Taylor dedicated way back in 1867 and is a much smaller building than the current Tabernacle, which was built in the 1890’s. The foundation of the old tabernacle was covered with earth and a park made where once a building stood. I knew nothing about this other tabernacle even though I have been to this park on a number of occasions and without knowing it, was walking over top of the old foundation.

At the time the original tabernacle was dedicated, what did Brigham Young say?

a.      This would be the only tabernacle Provo would need

b.      This new tabernacle is already too small for its purpose

c.       There will be a temple built on this lot some day in the distant future

d.      I can see the day when there will be two tabernacles side by side

Yesterday’s answers:

1.      (A) 2000

February 28, 2000: The one hundred millionth copy of the Book of Mormon published by the Church since 1830 is released making the scripture the third most published book in the world.

Richard Neitzel Holzapfel et al., On This Day In The Church (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2000), 42.

2.                  (C) Translator

Five-thousand copies were printed in the first edition of the Book of Mormon in Palmyra, New York. A second edition in 1837 of between 3,000 to 5,000 copies was printed in Kirtland, Ohio with minor changes. For example, according to 1790 federal copyright law, Joseph Smith identified himself as the “author and proprietor.” In this 1837 edition, Joseph changed “author” to “translator.” A third edition of 2,000 copies was printed in Cincinnati, Ohio and quite often referred to as the Nauvoo Illinois edition.

Arnold K. Garr et al., Encyclopedia of Latter-day Saint History (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2000), 118.

3.                  (D) Three lines of it

In 1841 Joseph Smith placed the original manuscript in the cornerstone of the Nauvoo House. In 1882, Lewis Bidamon (Emma Smith’s second husband) removed it from the cornerstone. Unfortunately, water seepage and mold had destroyed most of the manuscript but about 28% is still extant. The LDS Church owns most of the remaining leaves. The printer’s manuscript, owned by the RLDS Church [Community of Christ], is in good condition and is missing only about three lines of text.

Arnold K. Garr et al., Encyclopedia of Latter-day Saint History (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2000), 120.