Sisters recall attending original, 1923 dedication
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Elizabeth Smith and Dora Leavitt are sisters who, at the ages of 23 and 21 respectively, attended the dedication of the Alberta Temple in 1923.
"We traveled there [from Leavitt by team and buggy," Sister Smith said as she recalled the seven-mile journey. "There were not real roads then, just a trail."Her husband worked on the temple construction before they were married. "He worked the team and scraper," she said, referring to a horse-drawn device used to move dirt.
The two sisters attended the rededication of the temple on June 24. They are among hundreds of people who attended both dedications.
For the rededication, a special committee led by Craig Smith was organized to recognize Church members who were able to attend both dedications. He explained that they were anticipating 120 to 150 original attenders.
However, as members attending the 12th rededication session June 24 stood in line to enter the temple, he exclaimed: "I can't believe it. We have had 241 register to this point, and there are still others we had contacted who have not come."
Overall, he estimated that there were around 300 members still living in the temple district who were present on that special day in 1923.
Recalling the first dedication, Sister Leavitt said that there were "lots [of people thereT, but not as many as today."
Asked if she anticipated the event, Sister Smith exclaimed: "You bet! It was quite a thing."
Reaching for a worn scrapbook, Sister Leavitt excitedly added, " . . . and I still have the ticket!"
