SL Temple Southwest Corner

G. S. L. City April 4th 1853

Deseret News recorded the Dedication proceedings. See the original here.

Here is the transcript of the Prayer Bishop Alfred Cordon offered on behalf of the Presiding Bishopric:

Bishop Cordon offered the following:
PRAYER:
O God, the Eternal Father, we thank thee that we are assembled here this morning, to lay the foundation of another Temple to thy name. We ask thee, in the name of Jesus Christ thy Son, to let thy blessing rest upon this, the South West Corner Stone, which has been laid by the presiding Bishop of thy church, and his counsel. Also let thy power and strength rest upon thy servants who shall endeavor to build upon the same; may that spirit of unanimity and peace that pervades our bosoms, this morning, rest upon those who shall labor upon this building; may it also rest upon their wives and children, and extend itself throughout the length and breadth of this Territory, and the whole world, that the honest in heart may rejoice, and thy Saints be filled with thanksgiving, with praise and adorations to thy great name for the mercies thou art continually extending unto them.
Especially let thine elders abroad, whose hearts are panting this day with joy and satisfaction, feel the force and influence of thy Spirit that so richly rest upon us, that they may take comfort and consolation. Let their lives be preserved, that they may return and behold a building reared to thy name, and greatly rejoice and adore thee, O God. May their way be opened, that they may move from nation to nation, from city to city, and from habitation to habitation. Let thine angels go before them, and the secret agency of thy Holy Spirit touch the hearts of the people for their good, that thy purposes may soon be accomplished; that Israel may be gathered from the nations of the earth; that light and truth may spread itself, until all the honest in heart rejoice in the principles of freedom, and every band and yoke of the tyrant is snapped and broken asunder, and the knowledge and power of God shall cover the earth, as the waters cover the face of the great deep.
We pray thee to let the petitions of thy servant which were offered upon the Chief Corner Stone be answered upon the heads of this people; and may thy blessing and power rest upon him and his brethren, even the First Presidency of thy church; may they be filled with the spirit of revelation continually, that thy saints may flourish, thy kingdom prosper, and thy work roll forth under their guidance; that the day may soon come when Zion shall be respected among the nations, and the Holy Priesthood be the only authority acknowledged, either at home or abroad, on the land or on the sea.
Direct thy people in thy path, that they may be prepared for the accomplishing of thy purposes.- Let the Temple for which we are this day laying the Corner Stones, be reared to thy name, and the Top Stone be brought on with shouts of rejoicing before thee. Let every person that shall put forth their hand to prevent this thing from being accomplished, sink into oblivion, and may his power wither like the gourd of Jonah. Let all those who put forth their hands to rear this House, or in any way assist in doing the same, be blessed abundantly in the blessings of heaven and the blessings of earth; and may all things work together for the good of thy people in all time to come.
We dedicate this Stone, and resign ourselves to thee to use us according to thy pleasure, praying thee to direct our course, and save us eternally in thy celestial kingdom, in the name of Jesus Christ: AMEN

Deseret News, May 7, 1898 – Obituary

EMMA PARKER CORDON

On Saturday last, Mrs. Emma Parker Cordon, wife of Bishop Alfred Cordon, deceased, passed quietly away. She has been an invalid for twenty-one years having suffered from a stroke of paralysis. But though she was so feeble, her death was not altogether expected; her last illness was of so short duration.
Mrs. Cordon was born May 24, 1819 at Burslum, Staffordshire, England her birthday being the same date as that of Queen Victoria. In 1836 she married to Alfred Cordon and two years later they joined the Mormon Church. September, 1842 found them in Nauvoo, whither they had come to be with those of their faith. Here they remained for three years, when they moved again, to Burlington, Iowa, and from there to Pigeon Creek in the same state.
The desire to be with their people again urged them on and in the spring of 1851 they started to Salt Lake Valley, where they arrived in October of the same year. They made their home at Salt Lake City until 1855, when they moved to Brigham City. In the fall of ’56 they settled at Willard, and there they remained until death.
The story of Mrs. Cordon’s life closely follows the history of the Church and is one of privation and struggles. She saw the early persecution of the Church and suffered from it. Her husband went on mission to foreign lands, leaving her in the most abject poverty. Once he stole away in the night because he could not bear to bid his family goodbye and then go away leaving neither food nor clothing and scarcely any shelter. But this little wife was brave and while he preached the Gospel she prepared the ground and raised food for her family. With great exertions she managed to keep them from actual starvation, but not from want. She lived a heroine, and even in her long years of illness she stood true to her colors. She was a noble woman.
She leaves a host of friends to reverence her memory, and on the other side she greets another host.
She was the mother of fourteen children, grandmother of sixty-four and great-grandmother of forty-nine. Of these there are still living seven children, fifty-three grandchildren and forty-three great-grandchildren.

Millennial Star – DECEASE AND FUNERAL OF BISHOP ALFRED CORDON

DECEASE AND FUNERAL OF BISHOP ALFRED CORDON

Alfred Cordon was the second son of Sampson and Myrah Cordon, and was born at Toxteth Park, near Liverpool England, on the 28th day of February, 1817, and at the time of his decease was 54 years and two weeks old.
He was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the year 1839, by Elder David Wilding, in Manchester, England.
He commenced to preside in Willard City in the year 1857. He died on the 13th instant (March) at 2 p.m., and was buried on the 15th, in the afternoon.
The funeral services commenced at one o’clock. The coffin was borne, on the shoulders of the Teachers, from his late residence to the school-house. An immense concourse of people was present, not over one-half of whom could gain admittance.
The meeting was called to order by Elder Geo. W. Ward.
After singing and prayer, short, appropriate to and consolatory addresses were delivered by President Lorenzo Snow and Elder Jonathan C. Wright. Singing and prayer closed the services.
The people turned out en masse to join in the procession, which was in the following order- At the head was the body in charge of Elders George W. Ward and M. W. Dalton; several conveyances containing the near relatives of the deceased; the Presidency of the Stake; Bishop Nichols and some ten carriages with visitors from Brigham City; some fifty conveyances containing citizens of this place. The rear was composed of the brethren and sisters of the choir and a long column of citizens afoot. The line formed was over half a mile in length.
The assembly formed in circles around the grave, where the services consisted of singing and prayer.
It was very gratifying to witness the many little acts of kindness extended by the people in general to the bereaved. Each seemed to vie with the other in the offices of encouragement and consolation.
Thus passed to his resting-place a staunch veteran in the cause of God. He was a zealous advocate and determined defender of the faith. From his commcement in the ministry, some thirty years ago, until the day of his death, he was on terms of the closest intimacy with the Presidency of the Church.
His sickness (inflammation on the lungs) lasted but a few days, and he passed from this life, as he had often expressed a wish to do, without a lengthy sickness, and free from the cares and anxiety which often surround the deathbed.
It would be superfluous to pass any eulogium upon his life and services, as there are but few of the experienced members of the Church who are not more or less acquainted with the name and services of Alfred Cordon.
He leaves a large family and a very extended circle of relatives and friends to mourn his loss.
[We copy the above from the Deseret News. Elder Cordon was well and widely and favorably known in various Conferences in this country, having labored faithfully and energetically in disseminating the principles of the Gospel in this country previous to his emigration to Nauvoo, and also during his mission in 1848-50. Many of the British Saints will regret his departure from this mortal life and revere his memory.-Ed STAR]

Deseret News – Death of Bishop Cordon & Funeral Services

DEATH OF BISHOP CORDON.-The following telegram was received by Deseret Telegraph line this morning:
“WILLARD CITY, 13. Bishop A.M. Musser:-At 2 o’clock this afternoon our Bishop, Alfred Cordon, departed this life; he had been suffering from inflammation of the lungs for a week past. Further particulars hereafter. Funeral tomorrow.
GEO. A. MEARS.”
The announcement of the death of Bishop Cordon will be received with surprise by his many friends. It is but a few days since he was in this city, seemingly hearty and robust, and, judging from his appearance, likely to live for years; and being a man well known in and very generally respected by the entire commmmunity, the news of his death will be a cause for great regret.

FUNERAL SERVICES.-We have received the following short obituary, and account of the funeral services for the late Bishop A. Cordon, which took place at Willard City a few days since:
“Alfred Cordon was the second son of Sampson and Myrah Cordon, and was born at Toxteth Park, near Liverpool England, on the 28th day of February, 1817, and at the time of his decease was 54 years and two weeks old.
He was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the year 1839, by Elder David Wilding, in Manchester, England.
He commenced to preside in Willard City in the year 1857. He died on the 13th instant at 2 p.m., and was buried on the 15th, in the afternoon.

FUNERAL

The funeral services commenced at one o’clock. The coffin was borne, on the shoulders of the Teachers, from his late residence to the School House. An immense concourse of people was present; not over one-half of whom could gain admittance.
The meeting was called to order by Elder Geo. W. Ward.
After singing and prayer, short, appropriate to and consolatory addresses were delivered by President Lorenzo Snow and Elder Jonathan C. Wright. Singing and prayer closed the services.
The people turned out en masse to join in the procession, which was in the following order: At the head was the body in charge of Elders George W. Ward and M. W. Dalton; several conveyances containing the near relatives of the deceased; the Presidency of the stake; Bishop Nichols and some ten carriages with visitors from Brigham City; some fifty conveyances containing citizens of this place. The rear was composed of the brethren and sisters of the choir and a long column of citizens afoot. The line formed was over half a mile in length.
The assembly formed in circles around the grave, where the services consisted of singing and prayer.
It was very gratifying to witness the many little acts of kindness extended by the people in general to the bereaved. Each seemed to vie with the other in the offices of encouragement and consolation.
Thus passed to his resting-place a staunch veteran in the cause of God. Whatever may have been his shortcomings, none can reproach him with lack of loyalty to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a zealous advocate and determined defender of the faith. From his commencement in the ministry, some thirty years ago, until the day of his death he was on terms of the closest intimacy with the Presidency of the Church.
His sickness (inflammation on the lungs) lasted but a few days, and he passed from this life, as he had often expressed a wish to do, without a lengthy sickness, and free from the cares and anxiety which often surround the death-bed.
It would be superfluous to pass any eulogium upon his life and services, as there are but few of the experienced members of the Church who are not more or less acquainted with the name and services of Alfred Cordon.
He leaves a large family and a very extended circle of relatives and friends to mourn his loss.

On the 11th of August 2012 Al Cordon united many of the descendants of Alfred Cordon in a small pavilion at a park in Willard, Utah. Many great stories and discoveries were shared.

If you missed the reunion you can listen to the presentations here.