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100 years ago
A Bureau of Information was opened on Temple Square on Aug. 4, 1902, according to Church Chronology, compiled by Andrew Jenson.
"The object was to distribute Church literature and impart all necessary information to tourists and other strangers visiting Salt Lake City," the entry stated.
About 75 active members of the Church, men and women, were called to spend part of their time in hosting visitors and giving them tours around the block. "During the first year of its operation the registry books indicated that 150,000 people were entertained."
President Joseph F. Smith and his counselors, during a meeting March 6, 1902, considered a suggestion that a bureau be established, according to A Comprehensive History of the Church 6:423-424. The First Presidency referred the matter to the Seventies.
"So commissioned the First Council of the Seventy proceeded to arrange. . . the erection on the Temple Square grounds of a small octagonal building, twenty feet across and placed directly opposite the south gates. . . . When completed the first humble building of this really great undertaking cost less than $600.00."
