Duncan Posted February 14, 2012 Posted February 14, 2012 In my haze I seem to recall reading an article complete with pictures of some houses in Utah where endowments were given other then in the Temples which were being constructed at that time. It wasn't the endowment house that was built but it seemed smaller and possibly people's personal residences. Has anyone heard of these structures or am I nuts altogether and confusing things?
phaedrus ut Posted February 14, 2012 Posted February 14, 2012 There was an Endowment House on Temple Square prior to the completion of the temple and another in Spring City, Utah build by Orson Hyde. There were also some other related types of buildings like the Prayer Circle Building in Malad, Idaho.Phaedrus
Duncan Posted February 14, 2012 Author Posted February 14, 2012 There was an Endowment House on Temple Square prior to the completion of the temple and another in Spring City, Utah build by Orson Hyde.There were also some other related types of buildings like the Prayer Circle Building in Malad, Idaho.Phaedrusintriguing! thanks! do you know of any research on them that I think there might be but I can't think of where I read it is?
rongo Posted February 14, 2012 Posted February 14, 2012 There was an Endowment House on Temple Square prior to the completion of the temple and another in Spring City, Utah build by Orson Hyde. There were also some other related types of buildings like the Prayer Circle Building in Malad, Idaho. PhaedrusUntil the late 1970s, stake presidencies and high councils had (or could have) prayer circles (with everything that implies) in the stake center. At that time, this was officially discontinued. I won't be home until much later tonight, but I can post a source for that if anyone's interested.
Duncan Posted February 14, 2012 Author Posted February 14, 2012 Until the late 1970s, stake presidencies and high councils had (or could have) prayer circles (with everything that implies) in the stake center. At that time, this was officially discontinued. I won't be home until much later tonight, but I can post a source for that if anyone's interested.please do!, I have plans for tonite and not with a woman either...but! not to despair, as the Wicked Witch of the West once said, "all in good time, all in good time"! 1
Mike Reed Posted February 14, 2012 Posted February 14, 2012 (edited) Prayer circles (outside of the endowment, and the annual FP and Q12 meeting) were discontinued in the spring of 1978. The buildings, although used, were not necessary. If I remember correctly, early missionaries were informed that they could perform such prayers privately in the top story (or attic?) of their residence. I believe the Signature Books Ducumentary History volumes have some good info on this... especially the last one on the development of the endowment. An article that might be worth reading is D. Michhael Quinn's "Latter-day Saint Prayer Circles." BYU Studies 19 (Fall 1978):79-105.Not sure whether linking this article is a direct violation to the forum's "temple content" prohibition. HopefullyitI will get a pass... afterall the article was published in BYU studies, Edited February 14, 2012 by Mike Reed
Mike Reed Posted February 14, 2012 Posted February 14, 2012 Until the late 1970s, stake presidencies and high councils had (or could have) prayer circles (with everything that implies) in the stake center. At that time, this was officially discontinued. I won't be home until much later tonight, but I can post a source for that if anyone's interested.Oops! You beat me to it. The FP made the official anouncement (discontinuing the practice) on May 3, 1978.
Kaleb Webb Posted March 8, 2014 Posted March 8, 2014 I know this thread is an older one, but I've been doing some research about the Spring City Endowment House and several articles have mentioned an "official church list of nontemple locations where ordinances can be performed." I'm trying to figure out where to find this list, and any help would be appreciated.
Duncan Posted March 9, 2014 Author Posted March 9, 2014 I know this thread is an older one, but I've been doing some research about the Spring City Endowment House and several articles have mentioned an "official church list of nontemple locations where ordinances can be performed." I'm trying to figure out where to find this list, and any help would be appreciated. if you fish around this site you might find something!http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/chronological/
Calm Posted March 9, 2014 Posted March 9, 2014 (edited) If someone (maybe Nevo?) doesn't answer here, I invite you to ask at FairMormon. There are a number of scholars and others interested in church history (among other things) that may be able to answer it for you (alas, I am not one of them): http://www.fairmormon.org/contact Edited March 9, 2014 by calmoriah
Tacenda Posted March 9, 2014 Posted March 9, 2014 Maybe he is thinking of places that don't have anything to do with our church but a polygamist group, most of them get endowed too I believe.
JLHPROF Posted March 9, 2014 Posted March 9, 2014 http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/endowment/ "Prior to the construction of the Endowment House, temple ordinances were being given on a regular basis in Salt Lake beginning in February 1851. This was done in a variety of locations including Brigham Young's office, the Council House, and the top of Ensign Peak." So other than in actual dedicated temples we know at least the following locations were used for actual temple ordinances: 1. Joseph Smith's Red Brick Store2. The Mansion House (used for initiatory work)3. Ensign Peak4. Brigham Young's Office5. Council House (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_House_%28Salt_Lake_City%29)6. Salt Lake City Endowment House7. Spring City Endowment House (possibly not used for endowments but maybe) And this list doesn't include all the places where prayer circles were authorized - numerous chapels, stake centers and homes. As for the fundamentalists - not all groups give endowments, but the largest groups do, although they still use the ceremony as it existed in the 1920s or earlier in their attempt to stick to the original practices of the church. 1
Coreyb Posted March 9, 2014 Posted March 9, 2014 I believe John Turner in his book on Brigham Young talked about the apostles holding prayer circles and other temple rituals along the mormon trail away from camp. 1
The Nehor Posted March 10, 2014 Posted March 10, 2014 So I am not supposed to be praying the way I am? That's disappointing.
phaedrus ut Posted March 10, 2014 Posted March 10, 2014 Here(PDF) is a bit of discussion of discontinuing Prayer Circles in the 1978 Sunstone. It's interesting to note that these Stake Prayer Circles included dressing in temple clothing and rehearsing parts of the endowment ceremony. Doug Gibson wrote about prayer circles in the Ogden Standard Examiner. And this Cal Grondall cartoon is always good for a laugh. Most modern LDS are unaware that a family altar was part of the homes of many 19th & 20th century saints as a place for family prayer circle. Phaedrus 1
Damien the Leper Posted March 10, 2014 Posted March 10, 2014 Just wanted to throw this in...the Paris temple is definitely unique!
JLHPROF Posted March 10, 2014 Posted March 10, 2014 (edited) Most modern LDS are unaware that a family altar was part of the homes of many 19th & 20th century saints as a place for family prayer circle. Well, it doesn't make a lot of sense to be taught to pray a certain way so that as Joseph Smith said "you can pray and get an answer" if we aren't allowed to use that method of prayer. Brigham Young certainly expected it in his famous quote on using it (things past, present, future etc). The entire endowment basically teaches just a few "action items" (aside from doctrinal teachings and covenants made) that God has allowed us to know how to do: how to pray more effectively, how to enter God's presence passing the angels/sentinels, and how to detect true/false messengers. It was generally considered to be one of the actual powers bestowed in "endowment of power" although not the only one. Edited March 10, 2014 by JLHPROF
phaedrus ut Posted March 10, 2014 Posted March 10, 2014 Well, it doesn't make a lot of sense to be taught to pray a certain way so that as Joseph Smith said "you can pray and get an answer" if we aren't allowed to use that method of prayer. Brigham Young certainly expected it in his famous quote on using it (things past, present, future etc). The entire endowment basically teaches just a few "action items" (aside from doctrinal teachings and covenants made) that God has allowed us to know how to do: how to pray more effectively, how to enter God's presence passing the angels/sentinels, and how to detect true/false messengers. It was generally considered to be one of the actual powers bestowed in "endowment of power" although not the only one. I've seen a few people express this over the years that the 1978 policy change removing Prayer Circle meetings at the Stake level did not change the policy towards having them in the home. I'm curious how much it's practiced anymore.
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