Heavenly Singing at the Manti Temple Dedication

On the first day of the Manti Temple dedication, May 21, 1888, while Professor Smyth was playing the organ voluntary—a selection from Mendelssohn—a spiritual manifestation occurred within the building. Many Saints seated in the body of the hall and brethren stationed on the west stand heard distinct, 'heavenly' voices singing. The music, which sounded angelic to the listeners, appeared to emanate from behind and above them, causing many to turn their heads in search of a choir, though no such choir existed in the building. In addition to the auditory miracle, Elder George Teasdale recorded that some Saints witnessed the presence of the spirits of former Church leaders, including Presidents Brigham Young, John Taylor, and J. M. Grant, present in the temple. Furthermore, witnesses observed that the heads of certain speakers were surrounded by a halo of heavenly light during the services. The Saints described the dedication as a 'heavenly feast' that extended through the three days of the services, filled with tears of joy as they listened to testimonies and the admonitions of the servants of God.

Fuller account of this event (as retold in Joseph Smith Foundation, Manti Temple History):

On the first day, just as Professor Smyth was concluding the voluntary—a selection from Mendelssohn—a number of the Saints in the body of the hall and some of the brethren in the west stand heard most heavenly voices singing. It sounded to them as angelic, and appeared to be behind and above them, and many turned their heads in that direction wondering if there were not another choir in some other part of the building. There was no other choir, however. It was a manifestation of the power of God. Some of the brethren also saw the spirits of the departed leaders of the Church, including Presidents Brigham Young, John Taylor, and J. M. Grant, and others in the Temple, and the heads of some of the speakers were surrounded by a halo of heavenly light during the services. The Saints enjoyed a heavenly feast extending through the three days, and many shed tears of joy while listening to the testimonies and admonitions of the servants of God.