Manti Utah Temple

Manti Utah Temple
Number 3
Dedication 21 May 1888 (21 May 1888) by
Lorenzo Snow
Site 27 acres (10.9 hectares)
Floor area 100,373 sq ft (9,325 m2)
Height 179 ft (55 m)
Preceded by Logan Utah Temple
Followed by Salt Lake Temple
Official website • News & images

Coordinates: 39°16′22.46159″N 111°38′1.535999″W / 39.2729059972°N 111.63375999972°W / 39.2729059972; -111.63375999972

Manti Temple
Location N edge of Manti, on U.S. 89, Manti, Utah
Coordinates 39°16′23″N 111°37′59″W / 39.27306°N 111.63306°W / 39.27306; -111.63306
Area 4.3 acres (1.7 ha)
Built 1877
NRHP Reference # 71000854[2]
Added to NRHP August 12, 1971
Manti Temple dedication admission, signed by Wilford Woodruff

The Manti Utah Temple (formerly the Manti Temple) is the fifth constructed temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Located in the city of Manti, Utah, it was the third LDS temple built west of the Mississippi River, after the Mormons' trek westward. (The St. George and Logan Utah temples preceded it.) The Manti Temple was designed by William Harrison Folsom, who moved to Manti while the temple was under construction. The temple dominates the Sanpete Valley, and can be seen from many miles. Like all LDS temples, only church members in good standing may enter. It is one of only two remaining LDS temples in the world where live actors are used in the endowment ceremonies (the other is the Salt Lake Temple); all other temples use films in the presentation of the endowment.[3] It is an early pioneering example of four rooms representing the journey of life.[4]

History

The decision to build an LDS temple in Manti was announced on June 25, 1875 by Brigham Young. The Salt Lake Temple had been announced in 1847, but construction was still underway and not finished until 1893. The Manti Temple was built, along with the St. George and Logan temples, to satisfy the church's immediate need for these structures. The site for the temple was the Manti Stone Quarry, a large hill immediately northeast of town. Early Mormon settlers in the area had prophesied that this would be the site of a temple. When Brigham Young announced the building of the temple, he also announced that the 27-acre (110,000 m2) plot would then be known as "Temple Hill."[5]

The temple was completed in 1888, and a private dedication was held on May 17, 1888, with a prayer written by Wilford Woodruff. Three public dedications were held on May 21–23, 1888, and were directed by Lorenzo Snow.[6]

The Manti Temple was the location of the Holy of Holies until the Salt Lake Temple was dedicated. The room was then used for sealings until it was closed in the late 1970s.

A 1966 study found that 52 percent of temple work was being done in either the Salt Lake, Logan, or Manti temples, even though there were 13 operating temples by that time. This led to the building of the Ogden and Provo temples to relieve the strain on the older pioneer-era temples.[7]

Renovations

The Manti Temple has undergone various remodeling and renovations. Construction of a great stone stairway leading up the hill to the west temple doors began in 1907.[8] In 1935, the temple was fully lit at night for the first time. In 1940 the stone stairs were removed and work began to beautify the grounds.[8] Between 1944 and 1945 the annex, chapel, kitchen, Garden Room, and men’s and women’s areas were remodeled. There was once a tunnel beneath the east tower of the temple through which wagons and cars could pass, but it was closed off in the 1960s.

In 1981 church officials decided that the interior of the temple needed extensive remodeling. The renovation took four years, during which murals and original furniture were restored, offices were enlarged and remodeled, a separate door was made to the baptistry, water and weather damage were repaired, an elevator was installed, and locker rooms were improved among many other projects. In June 1985, Gordon B. Hinckley directed the rededication ceremonies.[9][10] Exterior preservation efforts have also occurred since that time.[11]

Style

The Manti Temple combines the Gothic Revival, French Renaissance Revival, French Second Empire, and Colonial architectural styles. The temple has 100,373 square feet (9,325.0 m2) of floor space, eight sealing rooms, four ordinance rooms, and a Celestial room. The exterior is made of fine-textured, cream-colored oolite limestone from quarries in the hill on which the temple now stands. The two towers of the temple are 179 feet (55 m) tall, and the open center spiral staircases inside the towers are marvels of pioneer ingenuity.

Temple presidents

Notable temple presidents have included: Daniel H. Wells (1888–91); Anthon H. Lund (1891–93); John D. T. McAllister (1893–1906); Robert D. Young (1933–43); Jack H. Goaslind Jr. (2000–03); and Ed J. Pinegar (2009–12).[12] The current temple president is Lon B. Nalley (2015–).[13][12]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Satterfield, Rick, "Manti Utah Temple", Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, LDSChurchTemples.com, retrieved 2012-10-11
  2. ↑ National Park Service (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  3. ↑ Satterfield, Rick, "Manti Utah Temple", Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, LDSChurchTemples.com, retrieved 2012-10-11
  4. ↑ Boyd K. Packer. The Holy Temple, p. 35
  5. ↑ "The Manti Temple", Ensign, March 1978
  6. ↑ "May this delightful location be known as a holy hill of Zion, among Thy people", Church News, Jan 1, 1950
  7. ↑ Green, Doyle L. (January 1972), "Two Temples to Be Dedicated", Ensign
  8. 1 2 Hart, John L. (May 7, 1988), "Manti Temple 100 years old, in mint condition for centennial", Church News
  9. ↑ "News of the Church", Ensign, August 1985 |contribution= ignored (help)
  10. ↑ "Cause Thy Holy Spirit to enter and pervade all of its rooms and facilities", Church News, June 23, 1985
  11. ↑ "Two temples scheduled for exterior preservation", Church News, June 24, 1995
  12. 1 2 "Manti Utah Temple: Presidents", ldschurchtemples.com, accessed 5 July 2016.
  13. ↑ "New temple presidents", Church News, May 2, 2015

Further reading

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