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Sunday, June 19, 2011

The Manti Tabernacle

The Manti Tabernacle was built from 1878-1882.  It technically isn't a Tabernacle anymore, because of the additions on the west of the buildings, and modern Church offices on the ground floor.  The Chapel, however, is the real reason for this posting.  But first, to the outside stone carving, seen below.
If you cannot read it, the inscription above the date (1879) says "Glory to God".  Also, notice the hand-clasp, which is a prominent symbol on the exterior of the Salt Lake Temple.  I think it is a fitting motif, because we do make covenants with God at Church through the ordinance of the Sacrament, as well as in the Temple through the ordinance of the Endowment of the Holy Priesthood.  Now, we go upstairs.

The Chapel as seen from the main floor.
The Chapel of the Tabernacle is actually the entirety of the second story of the building.  Those from Provo will notice the mural on the wall.  It is the exact same mural which hangs on the wall of the Lobby of the Provo Utah Temple.  I like that, for it feels to me that there is a piece of Pioneer history now within the modern Provo Utah Temple.
The Chapel as seen from the balcony level.
This is the Chapel as seen from the rostrum, looking to the back.  The woman in blue with her arms outstretched on the balcony is my wife, Alicia.  The woman sitting in the pew in the lower level is my sister, Kara Goodrum.

I hope you liked this tour of the Manti Tabernacle.  It helps me appreciate The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' history and pioneer spirit that much more.

2 comments:

Barbara said...

Thank you so much for posting this. I was at a funeral service there this past July and loved the feeling of the building and the artwork.

Tiffani said...

I have a hymn book of an ancestor who sang in the Manti Tabernacle Choir. It is dated 11 March, 1894. I am trying to find my relation to him. The name written in the Hymn Book is Cunningham Brown. By any chance do you know of any records that would give more information of his time in the choir?