Keywords

Wilford Woodruff, temples, latter-day saints, temple consciousness

Abstract

Historical evidence demonstrates that during the time Wilford Woodruff served as president of the St. George Temple, 1877-84, a profound change of attitude and a new understanding toward temple work developed among the Latter-day Saints. These years--highlighted as they were with completion of the St. George Temple; the introduction of endowments for the dead; the canonization of section 110 in the Doctrine & Covenants; and the construction of the Salt Lake, Manti, and Logan Temples--were critical to the formation of a new and rising temple consciousness and a growing sense of uniqueness among a people then undergoing a good deal of scrutiny and opposition from America at large.

Original Publication Citation

Wilford Woodruff and the Rise of Temple Consciousness Among the Latter-day Saints.@ A Chapter in Banner of the Gospel: Wilford Woodruff. Eds. Alexander L. Baugh and Susan Easton Black. (Provo and Salt Lake City: Religious Studies Center and Brigham Young University, 21): 233-25.