[Nauvoo Temple] At 3 p.m. William Player placed the first star stone in the frieze of the entablature at the southeast corner, "the 'stars' will add much to the beauty of the Temple." The southeast corner was called "Joseph's corner."
[Source: Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
included in HC 7:401.
ReplyDeleteOriginal Source: William Clayton Diary (Robert C. Fillerup).
ReplyDeleteOn Monday, April 21st, Brother Player put up the first star in the
ReplyDeletearchitrave. At half past two o'clock, p.m. he notified me that they
were about to begin to raise it. I immediately went to the east end of
the temple. On my way I met Elder Heber C. Kimball, one of the Twelve,
and we went and sat down together on Brother Cutler's fence, opposite
where the stone stood.
We entered into conversation together on various matters, chiefly
pertaining to our spiritual interests. We watched the slow upward
progress of the star with great pleasure. At precisely a quarter
before three o'clock, it was properly set in its place; and the
instant it was set, Brothers Edward Miller and Elisha Everett sprung
for the top; but Brother Miller being a little the smartest he was on
first and stood erect, viewing with pride the surrounding scenery.
After he got down Brother Everett also mounted the stone and stood on
it for some time. The top of the star is fifty-five feet above the
ground. The first star was put up on Joseph's corner, being the first one
north of the south-east corner.