James Simpkins — Divine Protection During St. George Temple Construction

James Simpkins, the father of Mary Crystal Simpkins Halladay, served as a skilled stonemason during the construction of the St. George Temple. The family history recounts a specific instance of divine protection while he was working on the high walls of the structure. During a moment of potential peril involving heavy masonry or a shift in scaffolding, James reported feeling a distinct, sudden impression or physical 'nudge' that caused him to move out of harm's way just seconds before a heavy object fell where he had been standing. He viewed this as a miraculous intervention by the Lord to preserve the lives of the workmen dedicated to building the first temple in the West. This account is preserved in the Halladay family records as a testimony of the sacred nature of the temple site.