Tarleton Lewis — Divine Protection During Temple Construction

As a master builder and foreman during the construction of the Nauvoo Temple, Tarleton Lewis was involved in the dangerous work of raising heavy stones and timbers. The Hunt manuscript recounts an incident where a large piece of construction material fell from the upper levels of the temple toward a group of workmen below, including Lewis. In what was described as a remarkable providence, the object fell in a manner that spared the lives of the workers, causing no injuries despite the high probability of a fatal accident. The workmen, led by Lewis, attributed their safety to the Lord's protection over those dedicated to building the sacred edifice.