A Tabernacle in the Wilderness: The Tabernacle as a symbol.

President Hinckley’s 2007 remarks upon the rededication of the tabernacle:

“Now this building has undergone extensive renovation and remodeling to bring it up to the latest seismic code. With this undertaking, we hope and pray that its historical features have not been destroyed.”

“Some of the old benches have been saved and will continue to be used. But as you’ve already discovered, the new benches are just as hard as the old ones were!”

“Exits have been added to meet modern-day requirements. The great stone pillars, which constitute its outside walls, have been greatly strengthened and fortified. The roof has been strengthened with the addition of steel trusses, with new roofing applied.”

“Changes in this building, I remind you, are not new. Even shortly after the days of its creation, it was modified. Originally there was no balcony, and this had to be added.”


“This is a peculiar building, the only one of its kind in all the world. It was built almost a century and a half ago in the days of the poverty of our people. It was literally a Tabernacle built in the wilderness.”

“The temple was far from finished at the time. Those who built the Tabernacle did so with faith, as well as their rudimentary architectural skills. Skeptics, of whom there are always many, predicted that when the scaffolding was removed, the roof would come down with it. This did not happen, and it has remained in place through sunshine and storm through all of these many years.”

From the Prayer:

"we dedicate, rededicate, and consecrate this, the Salt Lake Tabernacle, to Thee and to Thy Beloved Son, that through many years yet to come it may serve as a place where Thy people may gather for many reasons."

"At one time most of the Latter-day Saints lived here in this valley and in other surrounding areas where settlements were established. Now, Thy work has grown and spread over the earth until we have more members outside of this nation than we have in it."

I listened to the dedicatory prayer yesterday and was struck by how this edifice, the Old Tabernacle, is in so very many ways symbolic of our church. It touched me deeply. I found myself moved as I listened to the prayer. Here’s a link to President Hinckley's talk and dedicatory prayer.

I chose only a few paragraphs from the address. There is a great deal of touching commentary on the early church and pioneers that were our foundation.

What are your thoughts?