Forerunner to Brigham Young using his staff to identify where the Salt Lake Temple should be built:

 “In the summer of 1818 … The prophet’s [Isaac Bullard] staff, which by the direction of its fall had hitherto pointed out the way, now stood still; and he declared that here he was commanded to settle and build a church.”

The Telescope “WONDERFUL INFATUATION: Modern Pilgrims” (New York, NY: The Telescope Newspaper, 6 May 1826), 195.

“Within days of President Brigham Young’s arrival in the Salt Lake Valley in July 1847, he designated the site for the future temple. As he and a few others were walking across the area that one day would be Temple Square, he stopped between the two forks of City Creek, struck the ground with his cane, and declared, “Here will be the Temple of our God.” Wilford Woodruff placed a stake in the ground to mark the spot that would become the center of the future building.”

Matthias F. Cowley, Wilford Woodruff: History of His Life and Labors (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1964), 619–20; B. H. Roberts, Comprehensive History of the Church, 6 vols. (Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1965), 3:279–80. NOTE: After reviewing various diary entries, Randall Dixon believes that this event took place on July 26, 1847 (statement to the author, May 6, 2010).​

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