Zion

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints builds temples all around the world where faithful members go to learn more of Jesus Christ and his plan, receive ordinances for themselves, and perform vicarious work for their deceased ancestors. These temples are beautifully constructed both inside and out. They are designed to direct our thoughts heavenward and seal families together for eternity. The redemptive work that is performed here is not to be found anywhere else on the earth. All people are invited to experience for themselves the grandeur and blessings of temple work by qualifying themselves to enter the House of the Lord.  In the meantime, I'll be taking you through the A to Z of our temples.

ZION

Zion has many meanings to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

It is a literal place in Israel which was first mentioned in the Holy Bible around 630-540BC. It can refer to the city of Jerusalem itself. It is the name of a city founded by the Prophet Enoch. It refers to a 'new Jerusalem' expected to be built upon the American continent. Zion refers to any group of people who are 'pure in heart.' It is the central physical location to which Saints have gathered previously (Kirtland Ohio, Nauvoo Illinois, Salt Lake Utah, most notably). And nowadays, Zion is anywhere where the Church is established where there is a Stake of the Church. (Stakes are large groups of members organised into geographical wards; Areas are a number of Stakes in a specific geographical area.)

Central to the establishing of Zion is the building of temples within those Areas. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has, at the time of writing, 163 dedicated temples dotted around the world with another 46 either announced or under construction. 

A popular Church hymn is penned:

"Holy temples on Mount Zion

In a lofty splendor shine,

Avenues to exaltation,

Symbols of a love divine.

And their kindly portals beckon

To serenity and prayer,

Valiant children of the promise,

Pledged to sacred service there.

Merciful and gracious Father,

Purify our hearts, we pray;

Bless our mission of redemption

In thy hallowed house each day,

Till at length our faithful kindred,

Sealed with us eternally

In celestial bonds of union,

Sing hosannas unto thee.

Sing aloud, ye heav'nly chorus,

Anthems of eternal praise

To the glorious King Immanuel!

Sing with Saints of latter days!

Let the mountains shout for gladness,

And the valleys joyful be,

While the stars acclaim in rapture,

For the prisoners shall go free."

The Sacramento California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Yigo Guam Temple

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints builds temples all around the world where faithful members go to learn more of Jesus Christ and his plan, receive ordinances for themselves, and perform vicarious work for their deceased ancestors. These temples are beautifully constructed both inside and out. They are designed to direct our thoughts heavenward and seal families together for eternity. The redemptive work that is performed here is not to be found anywhere else on the earth. All people are invited to experience for themselves the grandeur and blessings of temple work by qualifying themselves to enter the House of the Lord.  In the meantime, I'll be taking you through the A to Z of our temples.

YIGO GUAM TEMPLE

The Yigo Guam Temple was announced in October 2018 and the Groundbreaking Ceremony will take place on 4th May, 2019. The temple will be built on the site of the Yigo meetinghouse, which is being demolished to make way for the temple, and a new chapel will then be built in the vicinity.

The tiny island of Guam is a U.S. Territory in the western Pacific Ocean with a population of just 166,000. The Yigo Guam Temple will be the first in Micronesia. It is a small temple (one ordinance room and one sealing room) and will serve a population of around 2,500 church members on Guam.

The artist rendering of the Yigo Guam Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

A 3D model of how the Yigo Guam Temple is expected to look. (Please excuse the wretched bird squawks in this video!):

Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

"X marks the spot for the temple"

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints builds temples all around the world where faithful members go to learn more of Jesus Christ and his plan, receive ordinances for themselves, and perform vicarious work for their deceased ancestors. These temples are beautifully constructed both inside and out. They are designed to direct our thoughts heavenward and seal families together for eternity. The redemptive work that is performed here is not to be found anywhere else on the earth. All people are invited to experience for themselves the grandeur and blessings of temple work by qualifying themselves to enter the House of the Lord.  In the meantime, I'll be taking you through the A to Z of our temples.



"X MARKS THE SPOT FOR THE TEMPLE"

Sometimes, selecting sites for temple building can be rather spontaneous. The President of the Church is ordained as a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, and there are times where conventional wisdom is put to the side, and the Spirit of the Lord prompts and inspires the mind. Such was the order when then-President, Gordon B. Hinckley, visited Vancouver to look at possible sites for a temple there.

Here is the clip of Bishop Dean M. Davis speaking in a General Conference of the Church about the occasion when President Hinckley felt strongly impressed to build a temple in Vancouver, Canada on a specific plot of land which none of the other church leaders had considered (watch the first 5 minutes 30 seconds):

X really did mark the spot for the Vancouver British Columbia Temple

Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Washington D.C. Temple

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints builds temples all around the world where faithful members go to learn more of Jesus Christ and his plan, receive ordinances for themselves, and perform vicarious work for their deceased ancestors. These temples are beautifully constructed both inside and out. They are designed to direct our thoughts heavenward and seal families together for eternity. The redemptive work that is performed here is not to be found anywhere else on the earth. All people are invited to experience for themselves the grandeur and blessings of temple work by qualifying themselves to enter the House of the Lord.  In the meantime, I'll be taking you through the A to Z of our temples.

WASHINGTON D.C. TEMPLE

The Washington D.C. Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Washington D.C. Temple is another 'show-stopper' of a structure, adorned in Alabama white marble with its distinctive six golden spires, and an Angel Moroni on top, as is common in many other temples around the world. At 288ft high, it is the church's tallest temple.

The Washington D.C. Temple is one of only five temples featuring the Angel Moroni holding the golden plates.

The Angel Moroni holding the golden plates atop the Washington D.C. Temple

(A bit of backstory information here: the golden plates refer to the ancient records inscribed upon gold plates which the same angel directed Joseph Smith to in 1827, located buried under the ground in a hill near the village of Manchester, New York. It was the same Moroni who, 1,400 years previously, and very much mortal, hid these plates in this precise spot. Joseph Smith translated them to English by the gift and power of God, and they became known as 'The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.'

A popular piece of art depicting Moroni burying the golden plates in around 421AD

As the Angel Moroni is such an important figure in the early church history, and is seen as heralding the restoration of the gospel, he is featured on many temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, blowing a trumpet towards the east, ushering in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to the earth.)

The Washington D.C. Temple

The spires of the Washington D.C. Temple

Spires detail of the Washington D.C. Temple

The inspiring Celestial Room inside the Washington D.C. Temple

Entrance to the Washington D.C. Temple

Inscribed on every temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are the words 'HOLINESS TO THE LORD - THE HOUSE OF THE LORD,' following after the inscription placed on Solomon's temple in the Old Testament. Each temple is a consecrated and dedicated building where sacred gospel ordinances can be administered; literally it becomes a 'house of the Lord.'

Following are a few examples of the signage on other temples:

Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Vancouver British Columbia Temple

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints builds temples all around the world where faithful members go to learn more of Jesus Christ and his plan, receive ordinances for themselves, and perform vicarious work for their deceased ancestors. These temples are beautifully constructed both inside and out. They are designed to direct our thoughts heavenward and seal families together for eternity. The redemptive work that is performed here is not to be found anywhere else on the earth. All people are invited to experience for themselves the grandeur and blessings of temple work by qualifying themselves to enter the House of the Lord.  In the meantime, I'll be taking you through the A to Z of our temples.

VANCOUVER BRITISH COLUMBIA TEMPLE

The Vancouver British Columbia Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Vancouver British Columbia Temple at night

Entrance to the Celestial Room in the Vancouver British Columbia Temple

The Celestial Room in the Vancouver British Columbia Temple

You will notice that all areas of the temple are designed in light colours and have ample lighting, whether it be natural light through windows or artificial light. A temple is the house of the Lord, so light is symbolic of Him who announced himself as the "light of the world." Everything becomes clear and visible in the light, so when we focus our minds and attention on Jesus Christ, his teachings, and his ordinances in the temple, things become clear and the real purpose of life becomes visible in our minds. The temple is full of symbolism, just as Jesus himself taught in parables and with symbols. Depending on spiritual maturity, these symbols can be grasped in differing levels of understanding, which is one reason why Latter-day Saints are encouraged to keep going back to the temple as often as possible.

Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Urdaneta Philippines Temple

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints builds temples all around the world where faithful members go to learn more of Jesus Christ and his plan, receive ordinances for themselves, and perform vicarious work for their deceased ancestors. These temples are beautifully constructed both inside and out. They are designed to direct our thoughts heavenward and seal families together for eternity. The redemptive work that is performed here is not to be found anywhere else on the earth. All people are invited to experience for themselves the grandeur and blessings of temple work by qualifying themselves to enter the House of the Lord.  In the meantime, I'll be taking you through the A to Z of our temples.

URDANETA PHILIPPINES TEMPLE

An artist's impression of what the Urdaneta Philippines Temple will look like when it is fully constructed

The Urdaneta Philippines Temple is one of eleven temples around the world currently under construction. Another 35 temples have been announced but are still in the planning phase. 

Temples are typically announced in a General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This has become increasingly exciting as church members hope for a temple to be built much closer to them. The following video is of the new temples announcement in the General Conference of October 2018 by Church President, Russell M. Nelson:

Six months later in the next General Conference, President Nelson gently invited members of the audience to refrain from screaming out during the announcement of new temples:

Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Tijuana Mexico Temple

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints builds temples all around the world where faithful members go to learn more of Jesus Christ and his plan, receive ordinances for themselves, and perform vicarious work for their deceased ancestors. These temples are beautifully constructed both inside and out. They are designed to direct our thoughts heavenward and seal families together for eternity. The redemptive work that is performed here is not to be found anywhere else on the earth. All people are invited to experience for themselves the grandeur and blessings of temple work by qualifying themselves to enter the House of the Lord.  In the meantime, I'll be taking you through the A to Z of our temples.

TIJUANA MEXICO TEMPLE

The Tijuana Mexico Temple

The Tijuana Mexico Temple

This is the great white imposing structure of the Tijuana Mexico Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is a fairly new temple, being dedicated at the end of 2015.

At the groundbreaking and site dedication on Saturday 18th August, 2012, Elder De Hoyos said, "We've seen in other Mexican cities where a temple has been built that there is a newfound peace in the city itself. Not only in Mexico, but in other Latin American countries I've visited, a temple can be a real factor in bringing a sense of security and prosperity. And we feel certain much the same thing will happen here."

Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Salt Lake & San Diego California Temples

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints builds temples all around the world where faithful members go to learn more of Jesus Christ and his plan, receive ordinances for themselves, and perform vicarious work for their deceased ancestors. These temples are beautifully constructed both inside and out. They are designed to direct our thoughts heavenward and seal families together for eternity. The redemptive work that is performed here is not to be found anywhere else on the earth. All people are invited to experience for themselves the grandeur and blessings of temple work by qualifying themselves to enter the House of the Lord.  In the meantime, I'll be taking you through the A to Z of our temples.

SALT LAKE TEMPLE

The Salt Lake Temple at night

The Salt Lake Temple is the most instantly recognisable temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After the early Saints were viciously persecuted and forced to leave their previous homes of Kirtland, Ohio and Illinois, they trekked west through the plains and wilderness until they reached the Great Salt Lake Basin where they settled and turned the soggy barren land into a fruitful home. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is headquartered in Salt Lake City, semi-annual General Conferences are held in the Conference Centre there, and all the top leadership of the Church comprising the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, live there. It represents the heartbeat of this worldwide church.

Holiness to the Lord inscription on the Salt Lake Temple

Door handle detail on the Salt Lake Temple

A pilgrimage to Salt Lake City and Temple Square is considered by most Latter-day Saints to be a life's ambition.

In this video below are some great aerial shots of Temple Square:

The early members of the Church, after settling in the Salt Lake Valley, determined to build a House of the Lord in their new home. They had previously been forced to leave their beloved temple in Nauvoo Illinois behind, burned by arsonists and later lashed by hurricane-force winds. The Salt Lake Temple began construction in 1853 and was finally completed 40 years later in 1893. It remains today one of the most beautiful and distinguished landmarks in America.

The Salt Lake Temple reflected splendidly in a nearby pool

At Christmastime, Temple Square is decorated with thousands of lights and is a huge attraction to tourists from all over the globe, whether members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or not. Take a look at this short video showing Temple Square at Christmas:

SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA TEMPLE

The magnificent San Diego California Temple

The distinctive San Diego California Temple

The San Diego Temple most certainly had to find a way into the A-Z of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as one of the most stunningly jaw-dropping structures it owns. There is a great story of how the San Diego Temple was thought out and designed and how it came to contain over 10,000 of these shapes:

This shape is known as the Seal of Melchizedek, or a symbol of Jesus Christ. For a detailed exploration, please see my post about the San Diego Temple and the Seal of Melchizedek.

Here is an aerial collection of shots of this magnificent temple:

And another aerial by day:

Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Rome Italy Temple

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints builds temples all around the world where faithful members go to learn more of Jesus Christ and his plan, receive ordinances for themselves, and perform vicarious work for their deceased ancestors. These temples are beautifully constructed both inside and out. They are designed to direct our thoughts heavenward and seal families together for eternity. The redemptive work that is performed here is not to be found anywhere else on the earth. All people are invited to experience for themselves the grandeur and blessings of temple work by qualifying themselves to enter the House of the Lord.  In the meantime, I'll be taking you through the A to Z of our temples.

ROME ITALY TEMPLE

Rome Italy Temple

The Rome Italy Temple

Entrance to the Rome Italy Temple

The Rome Italy Temple is Italy's first temple in a heavily Catholic country. The President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently enjoyed an historic meeting with the Pope of the Catholic Church in accordance with the dedication of the new temple. The entire Church main leadership jetted in for the dedication, a rare but significant touch to proceedings.

The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the dedication of the Rome Italy Temple

A splendid Visitors Centre sits adjacent to the Rome Italy Temple

A staircase in the Rome Italy Temple

The Celestial Room in the Rome Italy Temple

Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Quetzaltenango Guatemala Temple

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints builds temples all around the world where faithful members go to learn more of Jesus Christ and his plan, receive ordinances for themselves, and perform vicarious work for their deceased ancestors. These temples are beautifully constructed both inside and out. They are designed to direct our thoughts heavenward and seal families together for eternity. The redemptive work that is performed here is not to be found anywhere else on the earth. All people are invited to experience for themselves the grandeur and blessings of temple work by qualifying themselves to enter the House of the Lord.  In the meantime, I'll be taking you through the A to Z of our temples.

QUETZALTENANGO GUATEMALA TEMPLE

The all-white Quetzaltenango Guatemala Temple

Waiting Room

A feature of Sealing Rooms in temples are the eternity mirrors - two mirrors placed on opposite walls where you can see yourselves reflecting endlessly

The temple is a place of peace, tranquility and quiet contemplation. As such, patrons are asked to maintain the reverence of the place by refraining from loud conversation and laughter. If it is necessary to speak, doing so in a discreet whisper is preferred. The beauty of the interior and atmosphere naturally persuades patrons to such reverence, similar to when you step foot into any religion's sacred temple, mosque or church.

"More holiness give me,

More strivings within,

More patience in suff'ring,

More sorrow for sin,

More faith in my Savior,

More sense of his care,

More joy in his service,

More purpose in prayer."

(From Church Hymns, #131)

Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Provo City Centre Temple

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints builds temples all around the world where faithful members go to learn more of Jesus Christ and his plan, receive ordinances for themselves, and perform vicarious work for their deceased ancestors. These temples are beautifully constructed both inside and out. They are designed to direct our thoughts heavenward and seal families together for eternity. The redemptive work that is performed here is not to be found anywhere else on the earth. All people are invited to experience for themselves the grandeur and blessings of temple work by qualifying themselves to enter the House of the Lord.  In the meantime, I'll be taking you through the A to Z of our temples.

PROVO CITY CENTRE TEMPLE

The Provo City Centre Temple

The Provo City Centre Temple has a real story of saving that which was lost, an essential element of Jesus Christ's teachings. While Jesus referred to going in search of the lost soul, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints adopted the same approach to a special building.

The Provo City Centre Temple used to be the Provo Tabernacle where meetings and various cultural events were held. Unfortunately, on 17th December, 2010, a fire destroyed the entire interior of the building with just the outer walls remaining like a shell.

What was left of the Provo Tabernacle after a fire ripped through it in December 2010

The Church decided to transform the Provo Tabernacle into a temple. Using great engineering skills, the structure unaffected by the fire was lifted onto stilts where extensive renovation began

Fully renovated, the Provo City Centre Temple now stands as a dedicated House of the Lord and the second in the city of Provo.

The Provo City Centre Temple with the mountains as a backdrop

Staircase in the Provo City Centre Temple

Door detail in the Provo City Centre Temple

A quite beautiful Bride's Room in the Provo City Centre Temple

Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints