January 20th, 2010:

 

This temple is the symbolic heart of the Church worldwide. More important than its recognizable exterior, however, are the sacred ordi- nances performed within its walls.

 

Streets in the city were laid out beginning at the temple block. The building is 186.5 feet long and 118 feet wide, with walls 167.5 feet high. The temple looks somewhat like a fortress and is built to symbolize strength and spiritual safety.

The east center tower rises 210 feet into the air, capped by a statue of the angel Moroni, who announces with a trump the restored gospel message to all the earth. The 12.5-foot statue is made of hammered copper covered with gold leaf.

The temple’s exterior design includes symbolic stones, such as moon, sun, and star stones. These emblematic stones and architectural representations are meant to reinforce spiri- tual principles taught through sacred ordinances performed within the temple.

The temple is used exclusively by members of the Church in good standing for sacred ordinances reserved for the house of the Lord, such as proxy baptisms for the dead, washing, anointings, and eternal marriage ceremonies (see 1 Corinthians 15:29; D&C 124:26–42). Latter-day Saints believe that God has commanded them to be “saviors . . . on mount Zion” (see Obadiah 1:21) by performing proxy ordinances for the dead who did not receive them in mortality and that marriages can endure beyond the grave when couples are faithful to the covenants made in the temple.

 

 

 

 
Little-known shot of the interior of the temple, specifically the Assembly Room, while under construction. The Saints volunteered most of the labor that went into the Salt Lake Temple’s construction • Brigham Young University