All That Was Promised: The St. George Temple and The unfolding of The Restoration

by Blaine M. Yorgason, Richard A. Schmutz, Douglas D. Alder

Brigham Young was determined to fulfill the charge Joseph Smith had given him—to finalize the endowment and sealing ceremonies and begin administering these sacred ordinances to the living in behalf of their dead. This work, however, could be performed only in a dedicated temple.

Knowing the temple being built in Salt Lake City would require years to complete, Brother Brigham was inspired to build a temple that could be constructed sooner. The place he designated was in Utah's Dixie, an isolated desert outpost that had only recently been settled.

In this riveting volume, best-selling author Blaine M. Yorgason presents the inspiring true story of the enormous sacrifice and prodigious labor performed by the St. George pioneers called to bring the prophet's vision to fruition.

The authors document details of the temple's construction, and they recount many previously untold, often miraculous, stories of those who sacrificed greatly and worked diligently to raise a majestic, snow-white house of the Lord in the red-rock wilderness of southern Utah.

Equally compelling are accounts of events after the dedication of parts of the temple in January 1877. Brigham Young and other Church leaders sought and received revelation on how the temple ordinances were to be formalized, and Wilford Woodruff was inspired to do the work for the founding fathers of the United States and other prominent men and women who dies before the gospel was restored.

The St. George Temple is the place where the Lord at last revealed all that was promised through the coming of Elijah and where temple worship, as we now know it, was practiced by the Latter-day Saints.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Religion, Lds

400 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2013

About the author

Blaine M. Yorgason was born in Sanpete County, Utah. He attended Brigham Young University and received both a BA and MA in History. Blaine and his wife Kathleen have 7 children and numerous grandchildren.

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a good chance that I am highly biased, as the names: Mathis, Andrus, Gibson, Barney, Bryner, Cannon, Miles, Morris, Crossgrove, Truman, Colburn, and Boyce are all names that are listed as pioneers in this book that I recognize as my ancestors. There are probably others also.

The Church recently came out with a book called “Saints vol.2: No Unhallowed Hand.” It covers a similar time frame as this book. While this one is more narrow in scope. I found it more faith promoting than the official publication put out by the church.

These pioneers built so well that we can still enjoy their efforts even today. They had such a struggle just to survive, but what a tremendous heritage and legacy they left.

Again I am probably biased because of my recognition of names and places, but I truly enjoyed it. These stories are important to my family, and is a part of who I am.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so well researched, but read like a novel. I loved it. I’ve added some of the amazing stories and other quotes, below. More than ever I appreciate the grit and determination and love the pioneers had for God and each other. Their sacrifice has truly made the St. George area a place of holiness.

Several months ago I read that one of my great grandfathers helped build the St. George temple. He would travel in from Kanab during the summer months to work. This book taught me so much about the geography and the importance of places like Pipe Springs and other areas was so important to the building of the temple.

“Unity of the people with God and each other had empowered the construction of the temple…” P. 297

“The idea may arise that this is a hard land in which to get a living. Now I am very thankful for the land just as it is…It’s a splendid country in which to rear saints.” Brigham Young, p. 77.

Why, with so few people living in Southern Utah, was a temple being built? President John Taylor said, ‘there was a people living here who were more worthy than any others…God inspired President Young to build a Temple here because of the fidelity and self-abnegation of the people. “ P. 263

Description of the St. George temple: “Almost startling in its whiteness, it seems to transcend and overshadow everything else in the town. It is a thing of…beauty in the midst of the desert, an upward reaching of the spirit, a monument to the glory of God, a classic in community cooperation. The Latter-day Saints have built other temples and will build more, but around none will there be more of the aura of romance, of sacrifice, and of high endeavor than accompanied this, the first in the west.” P. 246


From a pioneer journal:
There might be ‘places more spectacular, but few could equal [this one] in serenity and peace. P. 75

One native son wrote: “Something about digging essentially with your bare hands until you find pools of living water in a barren desert changes you for the better, especially when your motive for digging is to help and cooperate with your neighbors.” p. 76

The St. George Temple was the only one in the West built without access to a railroad and shipped-in supplies and materials, which is why it is referred to as a pioneer temple. P. 42

George Jarvis, a former British sailor and ship’s captain in the Royal Navy…told how he raced his team through the sage, up hill and down dale…At last he pulled up beside a large mesquite bush…on a sand knoll and said, ‘Well, we are home.” His wife was an aristocratic young woman from a fine home in England. Looking about, she began to cry; then immediately getting control of herself, she turned to her children and said to them, ‘Don’t you dare cry/ Father says this is home so let’s get started.’” They were the first settlers of St. George. P. 47

“If I had a lot here and one in Hell, I’d sell the one in St. George and live in Hell.” Apocryphal tale told of George A. Smith.

DUP museum has the dress that Hannah Baldwin Crosby spun out of the silk she raised from silkworms.

Amazing Story of John S. Stucki:
There were some spring seasons when we did not have a thing to eat except pigweeds cooked in water without anything more nourishing to go with them as we had no cow, no flour and no seasoning of any kind, not even a bit of bread for the little children. When they would cry for some bread, mother would not have any to give, which seemed awfully hard for a mother suffering the pangs of hunger herself, and then to have to hear the little children cry for bread and to have none to give them.“

Every day I had to gather the pigweeds. It seemed to me that I could not stand it much longer and live. After we did not have anything else but pigweed for along time, I was also hungry and week, although being very small, I asked my father if he would let me go to see if I could find someone, either in St. George or Washington, that would take me in to feed me for what work I could do, but I could not find anyone in St. George that would accept me that way. Then I went to Washington. There I thought I would take one street after the other and ask in every house. After asking in quite a good many houses I found a good old Danish couple, by the name of Iverson, that took me in. I had a good living. Then I decided to take one street after the other to see if I could find someone that would take my sister, Mary Ann, in. She was about three a half years younger than I.

I found a young couple with twin babies that took her in to help with the babies. So she had a better living also. Then I was still very much worried for my parents and the two other little children that they might die of hunger and decided to search the town again to see if I could find anyone that would loan my father some flour. After asking in many homes, I found a man that promised to let my father have fifty pounds of flour. I sent father word that he could come to get that flour and he came. It caused the tears to come in his eyes, and oh, how glad I was that those at home could also have something a little more nourishing to eat with the pigweeds to keep them from starving to death. I never have forgotten when on a Sunday morning I would go home the eleven or twelve miles to see how my folks were, and the good old lady would give me quite a big lunch of pancakes to take along for my dinner. How I used to rejoice to think that I could bring those pancakes to my little brother and sister so they could have a little better dinner on Sunday, and I would eat the pigweeds instead of them. I knew how it was to be so awfully hungry. (Stucki Family History Journal) pgs. 59-61

Brigham Young’s refocus on temple work and worthiness increased. “..many of the Prophet Joseph’s revelations concerning temple work—including Moroni’s prophecy to the youthful Joseph concerning the hearts of the fathers and the children being turned toward on another, and the 1836 visit of Elijah and the sealing powers he restored in fulfillment of that prophecy—were events relatively unknown among the Saints until 1876. Only then were they included in the Doctrine and Covenants and canonized by general conference vote in 1880. P. 259

“The significance of Section 110 to temple work should not be underestimated. If not on their radarscope before 1876, it virtually lit up Church leadership conversations thereafter…” p. 260

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF I think if I would have been from St George some of the facts would have been more interesting.

[Nanci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am currently about 42% of the way through this book, but can already say, "I LOVE it!!!!" The author does a wonderful job in weaving historical facts, with excerpts from journal entries making the account so very personal.

I initially heard one of the journal stories told by a member of the Los Angeles temple presidency during one of our temple workers meetings. It immediately caught my attention, as the St. George temple was where my parents were married, and where I was sealed to them when I was six years old. There are portions of that experience that are still very vivid in my own mind decades later. I knew I had to read this book.

It has been even better than I anticipated, and I have been awe-inspired by the builders of this first temple built after the migration West. Their dedication and faithfulness are an inspiration to all. And while this book may be best appreciated by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, especially those living in the Southwestern states, I do think it can also be enjoyed by lovers of history, the Old West, and people of all faiths who believe in God.

[Heidi Awerkamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about the sacrifice that went into building the St.George, Utah temple during the 1800’s. I loved the first person journal entries that were included. I loved learning about how many people worked on it and how they solved the problem of building it on a spring. I especially loved the beautiful prayers at the end that bless the workers, their workmanship, all those who enjoy the building in its many functions. I felt like I knew the people of that time a little more after reading it. I am inspired by them in so many ways!

[Rusty Cannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was something between 3-4 stars for me. I have an interest in the St. George, UT area so learning something fundamental about its history was of interest. The book is well researched and has lots of interesting facts. I can imagine for someone less interested in history or moreso an obscure town in southern Utah, this might not be for them. I'd recommend it to friends from the area though.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the history of St. George, Utah and the building of the temple. I learned many new stories I hadn't heard before and was especially appreciative of having more of the context for the building through the easy telling of the stories of many lives that came together to make it happen.

[Madeline Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

so humbling!

It’s so humbling to read about the establishment of the work of the Lord in my own hometown. It’s Fun driving around and imagining events of the past, and I find I have much more reverence and respect for the founders of Saint George. I’m amazed with the miracles God worked during this early time and the love He has for His children.

[Jonathan Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great history of the St George LDS temple. Very humbling to learn about the great sacrifice of those who started settling the valley and immediately gave their all to building a house of God. I loved the stories and learning more about the early shaping of the Holy temple ordinances.

[Jacob · Rating 3 out of 5]

The efforts and sacrifices made by the early settlers of to build the house of the Lord is inspiring. There were some dry portions in the book, and I found the latter part of the book the most interesting. Similar to Saints Vol. II, but obviously more focused on a specific region.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so glad to have finally read this, since it is about the temple my husband and I were sealed in and that has been "ours" locally for the past several years. It was neat to learn more about the history of St. George and of places I now know.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read about the building of the St. George Temple in relationship to the Restoration. It is dry reading, but extremely interesting facts that I didn't know about before reading.

[Romie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts were fascinating, and some parts put me to sleep. Overall it’s an incredible and inspiring history and I’m glad I finally finished it!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring book about the settlement of St. George and the building of the LDS Temple there--the first temple to be built after the Latter-day Saints were driven from Nauvoo, Illinois, and came to the Intermountain West, dedicated in 1877, thirty years after the Saints arrived in the Salt Lake Valley. (The Manti, Salt Lake, and Logan Temples were dedicated later; for years the St. George Temple was the only place where all the temple ordinances could be received. St. George is about a five-hour drive from Salt Lake City; in the mid-1800s the journey took weeks and until I-15 was built by the city in the twentieth century the town was quite isolated.) The incredible stamina and devotion of those who labored to create a livable city and to build the House of the Lord, as well as their struggles to survive and thrive in a harsh and unfamiliar environment, are portrayed in their own words and in narrative by the authors, who document their sources well. Brigham Young was intent on completing a temple where the ordinance work for the living and the dead could be carried on in a complete way, as President Young had been taught by Joseph Smith. The authors also describe and place in perspective the need for a temple and crucial revelations to Wilford Woodruff and others concerning the requirements for and blessings of temple worship. The people called to live and build the temple in St. George endured great hardships. Like the builders of the Gothic cathedrals, they were determined that every aspect of the temple, even parts that no one would ever see, be as perfect as they could make them. A recommended read for those interested in LDS history , whether or not you are descended from the St. George pioneers. If your family did help to settle the St. George area (mine did not), this is a definitive work and should be required reading in your home.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a neat book about the history and building of St. George and the St. George temple. As the third temple completed in this dispensation (after Kirtland and Nauvoo) the St. George Temple holds a very unique and important place in Church history. The area was largely colonized in hopes that a temple could be built faster than it was coming in Salt Lake, due to the warmer climate and being able to work throughout the year. I loved learning and thinking about how important it was to Brigham Young to have a temple completed so that he could pass on and systematize the ordinances. Obviously this was of utmost importance and is instructive for each of us today.

I enjoyed learning about the sacrifices these early pioneers made in a hot desert with little food. They worked together through trials to build the temple and a community that helped to establish important truths. Many details are included from various journals and accounts of the actual building process. I also loved the accounts of some Wilford Woodruff's early experiences in the temple.

It's neat to see the principle of "line upon line" being repeated over and over. The Lord let his prophets and people learn little by little. Their experiences in St. George helped them in future work on the Manti, Logan, and Salt Lake Temples - not only in the physical construction, but in the administration of the ordinances and temple work in general.

I'm grateful for the Lord's plan and the power of temple work. This book helped me to remember that there is nothing more important. What a blessing to live in this time when temples dot the earth and what a responsibility we have to continue in His work.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis: As Brigham Young was growing older and the Salt Lake Temple was still so far from completion, he set out to fulfill the charge given to him by Joseph Smith, which was to bring the temple ceremonies to the people again. Brigham Young had always had a passion for Utah's Dixie and the stalwart Saints that he called to make that land their home. He was inspired to have the third temple of the latter-days built in the recently settled town of St. George. Great sacrifices were required from the residents of St. George and the surrounding areas, but they diligently worked to build the last pioneer temple of these latter days.

My Review: I trace many of my family roots to the communities around St. George, so I've always had a bit of an affinity for the area. This book was very well done and well researched and told the story of building the temple in an area with a small population and no railroad access for hundreds of miles (making this temple the last pioneer temple according to many LDS Historians). My biggest complaint was that while the bulk of the book is written in a chronological fashion, every once in a while there were parts that seemed to skip around.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I requested this book be bought by the Rockford Public Library. I was so surprised they honored my request so quickly. It's a digital book. My thanks to the library.

I really enjoyed reading this account of how St. George Utah was settled. Brigham Young called people with many talents and skills, to go to southern Utah, to settle St. George. Blaine Yorgason said the people that were sent were educated people. They had plays, music, dancing, etc. They started the first library in the territory. The people worked together to build the public buildings, and the St. George temple. The area was extremely hot in the summer. I can't imagine working at 119 degrees. The area is a desert, and so it was difficult to get things growing there. They planted cotton during the Civil War, and were able to make a profit. They started a silk worm farm, and the women wove silk fabric. They planted fruit trees that produced well.

The temple had several small fires. It has been hit by lightening several times. An earth quake hit, and did miner damage to the temple. '

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting read about St. George and the bringing about & building of the St. George Temple. It got a little boring in places so I found myself skipping ahead a few times. There was a lot of detail about the actual building - including measurements. What I loved were the stories of the pioneers who came to this barren and hot desert and went to work! I think I need to find a book that talks more about the actual settling of St. George (I found myself wanting to learn those stories more than the specific work that took place on the Temple). I love that "my temple" has such historic significance. It also made me realize how much work went into making this beautiful area, and my home, the wonderful place to live that it is!

[Ann Kartchner-hauley · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have family that settled southwest Utah in the 1860's and 1870's this book will interest you.
If you are interested in the building of early temples in the Utah Territory, this book will also interest you. I found it very interesting HOW the early settlers of this country were able 1) to begin the city of St. George and 2) in their poverty and extremities build a temple. This book contains numerous insightful and interesting stories about this time period in Southern Utah. It was amazing what a group of people trying their best find a life in this desert, working together in a "Zion" atmosphere could accomplish.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thirty years after the pioneers left their beautiful temple in Nàuvoo Illinois, they finally had the blessings of a temple in their lives again. A drama of sacrifice, dedication, and modern day revelation unfolds. Reading this chronicle of the Latter Day Saints has deepened my testimony and my understanding of the sacred blessing of a House of the Lord on the earth. If you are LDS reading this book will increase your knowledge of why we have temples. If you are not LDS and would like to know more about our temples go to LDS.org or Mormon. org.

[Jaclyn H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It renewed my appreciation for the early settlers of Utah and all they went through. We have it pretty dang easy most of the time but should never forget the trials or hardships our ancestors have gone through to provide us with what we have now. I learned so much from this book, and enjoyed our bookclub trip to meet with the author and hear his first hand accounts of how he organized and put this great book together. He is an amazing man. I'm so glad he came out of retirement to write this beautiful history :)

[Loni Spendlove · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not your boring history book: I thought I appreciated what my pioneer ancestors did, but reading this book gave me a MUCH deeper realization of the debt owed to those faithful saints who settled in St. George and built "my" temple! The stories were witty, moving and inspiring (read the footnotes, too...often there are overlooked gems there) and the format was such that even reading about how many pieces of lumber were hauled from Mt. Trumbull became interesting. Excellent!

[Chris Yorgason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well-written and informative account of the building of the St. George temple by the Pioneer Mormons. Lots of detail not just on the physical hardships but also the spiritual trials and blessings that came from dedicating their lives to the building of the Lord's house. For anyone interested in LDS Pioneer history, the building of temples, or just life in the old West, this is worth the read.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most significant books I have read about the early Saints, especially those who settled St. George and built the temple. It is a story full of great faith, sacrifice, hard work, perseverance, excellence against all odds. I feel like turning around and reading it again! I highly recommend this book.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating history of the early Latter Day Saints settling in the St. George area and the amazing struggles and successes in forging a settlement and building a Tabernacle and Temple in the desert. It was tedious at times as I felt there was too much historical detail and minutia for my liking. But I have a much better appreciation for this beautiful Temple and the sacrifices made to build it.

[Jeff Dunford]

I Found that the Myth of Brigham Lighting was false. The Saint Had a lot of Faith and Dedication to Build Such a beautiful Temple.
I also found that the Dunford's where involved with some of the first Temple work done in it.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating book about the building of the St.George temple. I am so humbled by the dedication of the people who settled that area. The very fact that they survived is a miracle, and then add to that the building of a House of God!

[Terry Earley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty enlightening. It was lovingly written by authors who are intimately involved in working in the Saint George temple.

Details of temple construction were woven together with the stories of local pioneers and those who worked on its planning and construction.

[Carol Stevens]

I love reading personal stories about St. George, beginning in 1861, and the building of theTabernacle and the Temple. When I finished this book, I had to go to the St. George Temple!

[Brandon Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super awesome history of the St. George temple co-authored by Heather's Grandpa! I really enjoyed the research and back story in all of this.