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March 1871 in her chair as ~e times I have · to reply when .d touched her [hat night she strength altho hankfull I was · for his loving after this my n her and told .n the bed and to God in her ler bed of af· eat. I did this :tion of seeing louting in the kind to us his n Prussia and were reduced ts, Bears, and of provisions tarving condifar indemnity ther provinces ese conditions des: countries nd orphans is rhims of a few of the lives of 1 war shall be f industry and :l when a boy, nstance blow. the track 40 s, and child leace or nearmd hundreds I trying their 3ut so far the ed Cousin Joe n dollars) in gold. 329 in the Rough Diamond with Miss Susie Young,18 Br Brighams daughter, and sang an original song on the folly of mining which was loudly applauded. Some of our Bretheren here in this peaceful town are getting excited and running after mines, leaving their trades and farms hunting silver- 79 I am well and feel thankful to God that it is as well with me as it is. For the past 6 weeks I have been a great deal among the sick administering to them the ordinances of the laying on hands and praying with them, attending Meeting, going round as a Teacher and strengthening them. Also attending funerals and visiting the house of mourning. I have felt well and blessed in my labors, for God has blessed me and I think I have done some little good. Spring has come again with all its beauties. Trees are in bloom, fIIJowers looking pretty, birds singing, the People busy and at peace. Such is the state of things here in Saint George while in the world the opposite is the case. Well thank God for the blessings of peace, if we are poor and do not so have many of the comfo[ r Jts of Life. Sat April 15th 1871 Very pleasant weather- At work on the meeting house all the time. This P. M. I went to the School of Prophets. A letter was read from Br Brigham stating that the time had come that the Saints could build a Temple to the most High in St George. A thrill of joy seemed to pass over the assembley of Elders present, at the announcement. It is to be built of Stone plastered inside and out. The length 196 feet, width 142, and 80 feet high, two stories with a large Hall in each story with room on each side, and a Baptismal Font in the basement. Br Brigham and Geo A Smith will be down next October to comence the work and give directions concerning its erection &c. 80 Br Ed Bunker, Jas G Bleak, Robt Gardener and Br H Harriman spoke on weat "Charles L. Walker. it will readily be noticed. took a leading part in the St. George Dramatic Association·s activities. as did Susie (Susa) Young. Brigham Young·s daughter by a plural wife. Lucy Bigelow. whose home-it was referred to as the "Lucy B. Home"-stood on the southwest corner at the intersection of First West Street and St. George Boulevard. "This particular song ··on the folly of mining·· seems not to have been preserved. This theme. however. runs through the sermons recorded by James G. Bleak during this particular period. i.e .. the late 1860s and the 1870s. like the warp in a piece of homemade carpet. .oThe possibility of a temple in St. George apparently was first introduced on January SI. 1871. when President Young and three of the apostles- George A. Smith. Erastus Snow. and Brigham Young. Jr.. - met in council at the home of Erastus Snow (the Big House). Snow had been confined at home for some time with sciatica; hence the meeting at his dwelling. The stake presidency was present and also members of the high council and several bishops with their counselors. Bleak says: "At the Council President Young asked the brethren what they thought of building a Temple in St. GeorRe. "The bare mention of such a blessing ... was greeted with: ·Glory. Hallelujah.' from President Erastus Snow. and all present appeared to share the joy. The brethren unanimously voted in favor of the measure . . . .'. "Annals .. ' Book B.pp. 81·82. On April 5. 1871 . President Young wrote to Erastus Snow that the Temple was to be commenced soon after the October Conference (i.e . . in Salt Lake City). This was the letter read in the School of the Prophets meeting mentioned by Charles L. Walker on April 15. 1871. Letter on file in the HDC. OnJune 10 . 1871. the High Council at St. George was informed that President Young had delegated authority to President Erastus Snow to use all the tithing of Beaver Ward and those wards southward to complete the Tabernacle and for building the SI. George Temple. See I\leak. ·'Annals"· Book B. p. lOS.