Salt Lake City Temple
From MormonWikia
The Salt Lake City Temple is the largest temple of over 120 temples that are currently operating world-wide. It serves as the sixth temple completed by the church. It is perhaps the best-known temple, since it is located among Church Headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah. The 2002 Winter World Olympics drew much attention to the city and heightened people’s awareness of the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake and the Church in general. In fact, the Salt Lake City Temple is located in downtown Salt Lake, serving as a house of worship for Mormons and a place to tour for those interested in its history and the Mormon Church in general.
[edit] Video: Highlighting the Sister Missionaries of Temple Square in Salt Lake City
[edit] Early Temple Construction
The main purpose of the western trek of Mormon pioneers, led by Brigham Young, was to establish a place for Mormons to practice their religion, free from the persecution they experienced in the east. Building a temple for worship was a top priority for the early Mormon pioneers. To the early settlers, the temple symbolized their faith and devotion to the Lord. Most of the labor was performed by member volunteers within the community. Brigham Young was primarily responsible for overseeing the temple’s construction and enlisted architect Truman O. Angell to help with the design. Brigham Young received various visions and revelations from the Lord as to how the appearance of the temple. The story of its construction is quite magnificent. The temple was built with granite blocks which were individually hauled by ox and wagon from the canyon to the building site until a railroad was later built. Construction began in 1853. The physical construction of the temple took forty years.
From the time Mormon pioneers settled in Salt Lake, to the time it was actually completed in 1893, there were numerous delays to its construction. The delay in construction occurred when Mormons caught wind that US Army contingents were being sent to Utah. At this point in history, Mormons had a great fear of the government, who failed to protect their fights in the past. Out of fear of the government, Mormons buried the entire foundation that had been laid in previous years, deciding to halt construction. As the church and the government developed a stronger relationship, and Mormons no longer feared the threat of the government, construction resumed. Due to cracks in the foundation, the workers were forced to completely start over. After the exterior was completed, skilled artists and craftsmen were brought in to complete the interior of the temple, which includes 170 rooms. The Salt Lake Temple has 12 sealing rooms and four ordinance rooms. The exterior took thirty nine years to build, and the interior only one. Today, the Salt Lake Temple serves as the largest temple. Since its completion, there has been remodeling but most of the original construction and design has been preserved.
[edit] The Salt Lake City Temple: Today
Brigham Young, who was highly involved in the early construction died before the temple was complete. The temple was completed under the direction of Wilford Woodruff, the fourth president of the Mormon Church. Its location in downtown Salt Lake City lends itself to many visitors each year. Mormon missionaries give guided tours of the grounds and are available to answer any questions about the Mormon Church. It is also located across the street from the General Conference Center, Church Headquarters and the Mormon tabernacle. Its outward beauty serves as inspiration for the community of Salt Lake. As is the case with all Mormon Temples, only members of the Mormon Church who have received their endowment may enter the temple. However, tours of the grounds are always available. There is also a visitor’s center open to the general public, where visitors can learn more about the church.
