Difference between revisions of "Los Angeles California Temple"
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The Los Angeles California Temple is the 10th operating temple of [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]. | The Los Angeles California Temple is the 10th operating temple of [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]. | ||
| + | The [[First Presidency]] of the Mormon Church announced on March 6, 1937 that a temple would be built in Los Angeles, California. On March 23, 1937 a site was found and purchased from the Harold Lloyd Motion Picture Company by President of the Mormon Church at the time [[Heber J. Grant]]. However, the onset of World War II and financial difficulties caused by the Great Depression stopped construction. During this time modifications were made to the plans of the temple, a Priesthood room was added as well as a spire with an [[angel Moroni]] statue. These modifications made the Los Angeles Temple more like the [[Salt Lake Temple]]. With its completion, the Los Angeles Temple was the first of seven temples to be built in California. | ||
| + | A groundbreaking ceremony and site dedication were held on September 22, 1951. [[David O. McKay]] presided at the ceremony. The site of the temple is thirteen acres overlooking Santa Monica Boulevard in West Los Angeles. The exterior finish of the temple is Mo-Sai stone facing, which is a mixture of crushed quartz and cement. The wainscot of the exterior is Rockville granite quarried in Minnesota. The temple grounds are beautifully landscaped with rare trees and plants. The grounds also feature two fountains, a reflection pool, and numerous statues. Also located on the site are other Church facilities such as a meetinghouse, a baseball field, a [[Family History]] library, apartments for [[Mormon missionaries|missionaries]], and the headquarters for the Los Angeles Mission. | ||
| − | The Los Angeles California Temple | + | In October of 1954, a fifteen and a half foot angel Moroni statue was placed on top of the temple. During a visit to the temple, President David O. McKay noticed that the statue faced southeast. He informed the architect that the angel should be facing due east, and the statue was turned. |
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| + | The temple was open to the public December 19, 1955 through February 18, 1956. Those who attended the open house were taken on tours of the 190,614 square foot temple. Following its construction, the Los Angeles temple was the largest temple of the Church, but the Salt Lake Temple has since had additions making it the largest Mormon temple in the world. The Los Angeles temple is so large that it is able to accommodate 300 people per session. On the open house tour patrons were able to see the ten [[Celestial marriage|sealing rooms]], four [[Ordinances|ordinance rooms]], Celestial room, [[Baptism for the Dead|baptistery]], and other facilities used for carrying out Mormon beliefs associated with the temple. The Celestial room of the temple features murals on the walls, making it one of only two Mormon temples that have murals in the Celestial room; the other is the [[Idaho Falls Idaho Temple]]. | ||
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| + | The dedication of the Los Angeles California Temple was held March 11-14, 1956. David O. McKay gave the dedicatory prayer. The Los Angeles Temple is currently closed for extensive interior renovations and is scheduled to open again June 29, 2006. The Los Angeles temple will not be rededicated as many other temples have been after renovation because Church officials decided to allow only endowed members of the Mormon Church to work on the renovations. This way the temple is not unconsecrated and the Church avoids the expense of another open house and dedication. Renovations include a complete reworking of the electrical, HVAC, and plumbing systems, and the redesign of the baptistery, which had always had problems with mold because of poor ventilation. | ||
==Other Temples in California== | ==Other Temples in California== | ||
* [[Fresno California Temple]] | * [[Fresno California Temple]] | ||
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* [[Newport Beach California Temple]] | * [[Newport Beach California Temple]] | ||
* [[Oakland California Temple]] | * [[Oakland California Temple]] | ||
Revision as of 15:08, 21 June 2006
The Los Angeles California Temple is the 10th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The First Presidency of the Mormon Church announced on March 6, 1937 that a temple would be built in Los Angeles, California. On March 23, 1937 a site was found and purchased from the Harold Lloyd Motion Picture Company by President of the Mormon Church at the time Heber J. Grant. However, the onset of World War II and financial difficulties caused by the Great Depression stopped construction. During this time modifications were made to the plans of the temple, a Priesthood room was added as well as a spire with an angel Moroni statue. These modifications made the Los Angeles Temple more like the Salt Lake Temple. With its completion, the Los Angeles Temple was the first of seven temples to be built in California.
A groundbreaking ceremony and site dedication were held on September 22, 1951. David O. McKay presided at the ceremony. The site of the temple is thirteen acres overlooking Santa Monica Boulevard in West Los Angeles. The exterior finish of the temple is Mo-Sai stone facing, which is a mixture of crushed quartz and cement. The wainscot of the exterior is Rockville granite quarried in Minnesota. The temple grounds are beautifully landscaped with rare trees and plants. The grounds also feature two fountains, a reflection pool, and numerous statues. Also located on the site are other Church facilities such as a meetinghouse, a baseball field, a Family History library, apartments for missionaries, and the headquarters for the Los Angeles Mission.
In October of 1954, a fifteen and a half foot angel Moroni statue was placed on top of the temple. During a visit to the temple, President David O. McKay noticed that the statue faced southeast. He informed the architect that the angel should be facing due east, and the statue was turned.
The temple was open to the public December 19, 1955 through February 18, 1956. Those who attended the open house were taken on tours of the 190,614 square foot temple. Following its construction, the Los Angeles temple was the largest temple of the Church, but the Salt Lake Temple has since had additions making it the largest Mormon temple in the world. The Los Angeles temple is so large that it is able to accommodate 300 people per session. On the open house tour patrons were able to see the ten sealing rooms, four ordinance rooms, Celestial room, baptistery, and other facilities used for carrying out Mormon beliefs associated with the temple. The Celestial room of the temple features murals on the walls, making it one of only two Mormon temples that have murals in the Celestial room; the other is the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple.
The dedication of the Los Angeles California Temple was held March 11-14, 1956. David O. McKay gave the dedicatory prayer. The Los Angeles Temple is currently closed for extensive interior renovations and is scheduled to open again June 29, 2006. The Los Angeles temple will not be rededicated as many other temples have been after renovation because Church officials decided to allow only endowed members of the Mormon Church to work on the renovations. This way the temple is not unconsecrated and the Church avoids the expense of another open house and dedication. Renovations include a complete reworking of the electrical, HVAC, and plumbing systems, and the redesign of the baptistery, which had always had problems with mold because of poor ventilation.
Other Temples in California
- Fresno California Temple
- Newport Beach California Temple
- Oakland California Temple
- Redlands California Temple
- Sacramento California Temple (Currently Under Construction)
- San Diego California Temple
