In ancient times, many monumental buildings were built on four cornerstones, which formed the base of these structures. Cornerstones are vital to a building’s integrity, strength, and stability. Owing to the import of cornerstones, several of the prophets spoke of cornerstones, often in connection with the temple (see Ps. 118:22). Referring to the “holy temple” (Eph. 2:21), Paul explained that the chief cornerstone is none other than the Lord: “Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Eph. 2:20). Concerning Jesus, the chief cornerstone, President Gordon B. Hinckley stated, “Thanks be to God for the gift of his Beloved Son, who gave his life that we might live, and who is the chief, immovable cornerstone of our faith and his church.”63
In our dispensation, the earlier temples had great cornerstones that formed the base of several temples, including Nauvoo, Salt Lake, Manti, Logan, and St. George. A sacred ceremony accompanies the laying of the cornerstones, and great symbolic significance is attached to this ceremony.
For example, on April 6, 1853, President Brigham Young presided over the laying of the cornerstones of the Salt Lake Temple, which was conducted in the following order: the First Presidency laid the southeast cornerstone, the presiding bishop the southwest, high priests and elders the northwest, and the Twelve Apostles the northeast.64 Why was the southeast cornerstone laid first? Because, as Brigham Young explained, “We commence by laying the stone on the south-east corner, because there is the most light.”65 Angels attended this grand event. The day after the cornerstone ceremony, Parley P. Pratt informed the Saints, “It appeared to me that Joseph Smith, and his associate spirits . . . hovered above us on the brink of that foundation, and with them all the angels and spirits from the other world, that might be permitted, or that were not too busy elsewhere.”66
Another example of a cornerstone-laying ceremony occurred at the Manti Utah Temple. Under the direction of President John Taylor, the four cornerstones were laid, first the southeast, then the southwest, then the northwest, and finally the northeast. President Lorenzo Snow stated that the southeast was “the chief corner stone of the building.”67 After the other three cornerstones were laid, a dedicatory prayer was offered.
In modern days, our temples are constructed with concrete footings and foundations rather than large cornerstones. The cornerstone ceremony, however, continues, with men and women, girls and boys in attendance. This ceremony no longer marks the beginning of the temple’s construction, but takes place after it has been built. After the dedicatory prayer of the new edifice, Church leaders conduct a symbolic ceremony where they apply mortar to the “cornerstone” plaque.