BOUNTIFUL -- Apparently the saying "The third time's the charm" applies to the Bountiful Tabernacle, too. After attempting to raise the spires on the revamped tabernacle twice last week, construction crews were finally able to erect the spires on Monday. While constructors originally planned to raise the spires last Tuesday, they were unable to have them delivered in time. Therefore, Philipoom Construction, the contractor doing the renovation, planned to raise the spires last Friday. This attempt also was unfruitful thanks to strong winds on Friday that made placing the spires difficult and dangerous. While constructors faced minor setbacks during the past week, most things seem to be going according to schedule, Bountiful City Council member Tom Tolman said.

"Things are going pretty much as planned," Tolman said. "The rain put us a little bit behind, but it's going well." The next step for constructors will be finishing placement of the kiln-dried lumber around the building.

"They're using some of the same architectural stuff as they used on the re-do of the Nauvoo Temple," Tolman said. After construction is completed, the building's appearance will not vary from how it has always looked.

The project, which began in mid-April, was scheduled to be finished in 60-90 days from the time construction started. Tolman said as far as he knows there has been no change in the timetable.

The Bountiful museum will be seeking to preserve some of the materials taken from the tabernacle during the renovation. The tabernacle, which is located in the center of town, is considered by many to be the oldest chapel in continuous use in the state. Tolman said the constructors and others involved in the project have placed a lot of emphasis on keeping the tabernacle looking authentic.

Ground was broken for the tabernacle in 1857. The original cost of the construction was $60,000.