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St. George Utah Temple
Number	1
Dedication	April 6, 1877, by Daniel H. Wells
Site	6.5 acres (2.6 ha)
Floor area	143,969 sq ft (13,375.2 m)
Height	175 ft (53 m)
Official website • News & images
Church chronology
← Nauvoo Temple St. George Utah Temple → Logan Utah Temple
Additional information
Announced	31 January 1871, by Brigham Young
Groundbreaking	9 November 1871, by Brigham Young
Rededicated	November 11, 1975, by Spencer W. Kimball 10 December 2023, by Jeffrey R. Holland
Designed by	Truman O. Angell
Location	St. George, Utah, United States
Geographic coordinates	37°6′1.450800″N 113°34′41.17439″W / 37.10040300000°N 113.5781039972°W / 37.10040300000; -113.5781039972
Exterior finish	Native red sandstone quarried from Little Cottonwood Canyon and plastered white.
Temple design	Castellated Gothic
Baptistries	1
Ordinance rooms	3 (stationary)
Sealing rooms	18
Clothing rental	Available
Visitors' center	Yes
(edit)

The St. George Utah Temple, formerly known as the St. George Temple, is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in St. George, Utah. Completed in 1877, it was the third temple constructed by the church and the first in Utah, following the westward migration from Nauvoo, Illinois, after the death of church founder Joseph Smith.

The temple was built over swampy land. Workers created a dry foundation by using a French cannon, reportedly used by Napoleon during his Russian campaign, which they lifted thirty feet in the air to use as a pile-driver for compacting the foundation. Local members worked for over six years, walking five miles daily and donating one day in ten as tithing labor. Church President Brigham Young thought the finished structure was too short and ought to be taller, workers opted to complete the structure instead of redoing the tower. Two years after the death of Young, the tower was struck by lightning and destroyed; it was then rebuilt to honor his preference. The temple is the oldest still in active use by the church and is the only temple completed during Young's tenure.

In 1877, Wilford Woodruff, then temple president, recorded that many spirits of notable historical figures, including George Washington and Christopher Columbus, appeared to him in the temple and requested that ordinances be performed on their behalf. These were recorded by Woodruff over the span of two days and nights, which lead to temple work being done for 100 historical figures, including U.S. Founding Fathers and European leaders.

Situated in southwestern St. George, the temple was designed by Truman O. Angell with an interior layout similar to the Kirtland and Nauvoo Temples. It also shares exterior elements with contemporary Utah temples like Salt Lake City, Logan, and Manti, all of which have a fortified castle appearance. It has three ordinance rooms and 18 sealing rooms, covering a total floor area of 143,969 square feet (13,400 m). Its architectural style combines Neo-Gothic and French Norman Revival design. Dedicated in 1877, the St. George Temple was the first where church members could perform all temple ordinances for their ancestors. The temple has gone through ten major renovations, the most recent (2019-2023) focused on restoring the original design and incorporating seismic upgrades. The renovated temple is open only to members with a current temple recommend. The visitors’ center, however, is open to the public.

History

Brigham Young, the church's president, announced the construction of the St. George Temple on November 9, 1871. Young selected St. George for the temple’s location, citing the presence of loyal church members in the area and a desire to unify a region considered challenging to settle. St. George was founded by 309 families as part of an initiative announced at General Conference called the "Cotton Mission," intended to support the local economy through cotton production. At the announcement, some were a "mix of emotions," and others were said to shout "Glory, hallelujah!" The settlement period posed challenges of starvation and economic hardship, and the construction of the temple provided both employment and a source of economic stability.

At the time of the St. George Temple’s announcement, the Salt Lake Temple was still in the early stages of construction and would not be completed and dedicated for another 22 years, until 1893. The St. George Temple met an immediate need for a place to conduct temple ceremonies and ordinances, and it later became the first temple where members could perform all ordinances for their ancestors. The temple became the third completed by the church and the first in Utah following the Latter-day Saints' migration westward after the death of church founder Joseph Smith. The St. George Temple was the first place where the endowment was performed on behalf of deceased individuals, and the opening of this temple renewed the practice of sealings on behalf of deceased individuals (which had stopped since members of the Church left Nauvoo).

Young chose a six-acre plot as the temple site, and, despite health difficulties, he supervised the construction from a winter home nearby. When workers encountered swampy conditions at the chosen site and suggested relocation, Young remained firm that this was the site for the temple. A 1942 interview with a local resident stated that Young said the location had been dedicated by ancient Nephites (a people described in The Book of Mormon) for a temple. This account, however, surfaced nearly 70 years after Young’s death and is not documented during his lifetime. Young also sent scouts to explore additional potential sites for the temple.

To address the issue, workers created drains to eliminate as much water as possible before adding in stone for the foundation. Teams of oxen brought large lava rocks from a nearby quarry from Little Cottonwood Canyon to the site to be crushed into gravel, creating a dry foundation for the temple. Workmen suggested using an old cannon the city had acquired to crush the stone.

The cannon, originally made in France, was reportedly used by Napoleon during his siege on Moscow. It was left behind during his retreat, eventually finding its way to Siberia, then Alaska, and later in California. Members of the Mormon Battalion acquired the cannon, mounted it on wheels, and brought it to Utah. After creating a pulley system using horsepower, workers filled the cannon with lead, encased in timbers, lifted it thirty feet in the air, and used it as a pile driver to compact the foundation. Young told the workmen that "when the cannon was dropped and it bounced three times, then the foundation was solid enough."

Following the stabilization of the foundation, construction on the temple began. The walls were built with locally sourced red sandstone, finished with a plaster coating for a white appearance. Historians James Allen and Glen Leonard made note of the pioneer's dedication to building the temple in Southern Utah, saying that it was a "labor of love, and a striking example of the painstaking handwork of pioneer artisans." The St. George temple symbolized the Latter-day saint dedication to temple work, along with the determination of Brigham Young and the members of the church to carry out what was established by Joseph Smith. The temple was a symbol of exemplary work and craftsmanship, along with self sufficiency and independence.

Many worked long hours in the quarry after walking five miles to the site, often for minimal pay, and still contributed half their earnings to the temple. Others donated food, clothing, and other goods to support those working full-time on the construction, and members contributed one day in ten as tithing labor.

Women decorated the interior with handmade carpets, along with fringe made for the altars and pulpits all from Utah-produced silk. Local local church members took six years to complete the temple. At its completion, it contained 1,000,000 board feet (2,000 m3) of lumber, which had been hand-chopped and hauled 80 miles (100 km). They also used 17,000 tons of volcanic rock and sandstone, hand-cut, then hauled by oxen.

To commemorate the finished structure, on April 6, 1877, the church's general conference was held there, during which the dedicatory prayer and services took place. It was first dedicated by Daniel H. Wells, Brigham Young's second counselor in the First Presidency. The St. George Temple was the only temple completed during Young's 29 years as church president and remains the oldest temple still in active use by the church.

Notable presidents of the temple include Wilford Woodruff (1877–84); John D. T. McAllister (1884–93); J. Thomas Fyans (1992–95); and Bruce C. Hafen (2010–13).

Cupola

Young was initially displeased with the height of the tower, but because construction had taken so much time, historians speculate that he did not want to delay the project any longer. Two years after his death, in 1883, the tower was struck by lightning, resulting in a fire that destroyed the tower, while leaving the rest of the temple unharmed. Local legends vary in interpretation, some narratives suggesting the lightning strike and subsequent fire were perceived as a means to appease Brigham Young, while alternative accounts propose that he may have instigated the event. The reconstructed tower doubled in height as a homage to Young's expressed preference.

Story on the Founding Fathers

According to an account by Wilford Woodruff, then temple president and apostle, in August 1877, the spirits of the founding fathers and other eminent historical figures appeared to him in the St. George Temple. They requested that the rite of the endowment be performed on their behalf, noting that it had not been done despite the Endowment House's long use. Woodruff documented these occurrences over multiple occasions spanning two days and two nights in his personal journals. Subsequently, baptisms and endowments were performed for these individuals in the temple by John D. T. McAllister, Woodruff, and other church members in the area, contributing to ordinance work for a total of 100 men and women. Some individuals mentioned in these records include George Washington, Christopher Columbus, John Wesley, and Marie Antoinette. Shortly after the accounts of these visitations, 85 Native American Chiefs had baptisms performed on their behalf.

Renovations

Over its history, the temple has experienced ten renovations, including repairs to the cupola necessitated by the previously mentioned lightning strike. Noteworthy upgrades occured in 1917, which included an enlargement of the annex. In 1938, significant modifications were made to the floor plan, involving the relocation of endowment rooms from the basement to the main level, the introduction of murals, and the alignment of the temple with architectural trends of the 20th century. In 1975, the annex was expanded to facilitate the transition from live actors to a film presentation of the endowment.

On November 4, 2019, the temple temporarily closed for renovations. During this period, crews removed certain 20th-century additions to restore the original architectural style while also incorporating seismic upgrades. Renovations throughout the building and on the site included motifs such as a five-point gold star and a quatrefoil. Other additions included a skylight, a bride's plaza, trees and landscaping improvements, an entrance to the baptistry, steel trusses, murals, a new annex, as well as updated electrical, heating, and cooling systems.

Design

The temple was designed by Truman O. Angell under Brigham Young's supervision. Angell, who worked as a carpenter on the Kirtland and Nauvoo temples, incorporated architectural elements from both. The temple has a rectangular shape made up of two stories, an octagonal spire, and a large assembly hall. The temple is situated on a 6.5-acre plot (2.6 ha) with multiple pedestrian plazas, along with gardens, seating elements, and a tiered water feature.

Exterior

While the St. George Temple has a similar overall layout to the Kirtland and Nauvoo temples, the exterior designs differ. The temple combines Neo-Gothic Architecture with a French Norman Revival Style, with parapets and battlements, with hexagonal staircases inside the towers. Certain elements like the neoclassical pilasters of Nauvoo and Kirtland were replaced with thin buttresses, and in the space between them, he added a porthole motif. Contemporary temples such as the Salt Lake City, Logan, and Manti Temples were designed to have the appearance of a fortified castle. The temple spans a total of 143,969 square feet (13,400 m).

Interior

Historically, the temple was originally designed with two large assembly halls akin to the earlier Kirtland and Nauvoo temples. The lower Assembly Hall was divided with curtains to facilitate ordinance rooms for the endowment ceremony. Currently, the temple's interior comprises a large assembly hall, a baptistry (for performing baptisms for the dead), three rooms designated for ordinances (such as the endowment and initiatory), and eighteen sealing rooms (where sealings are performed to eternally unite a husband and wife or children to their parents).

Following the renovations in 2023, the temple was updated to reflect the historical pioneer era. According to Andy Kirby, the director of the Church's historic temple renovations, "The interior design matches the historic temple and furnishings that would have been appropriate in the 1870s and 1880s." Lighting fixtures match the time period with wheel-cut glass shades with a gothic/grapevine design. The millwork is period-specific throughout the building. Additionally, new murals were introduced for each instruction room, commissioned by three different artists. Each was crafted to "capture the rugged natural beauty of the southwest Utah landscape."

Admittance

Like all temples of the church, the St. George Temple is not used for Sunday worship services. To members of the church, temples are regarded as sacred houses of the Lord and are only accessible to members with a current temple recommend. The visitors’ center, however, is open to the public.

See also

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah
• Comparison of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Endowment House
• List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by geographic region
• Temple architecture (Latter-day Saints)

References

1. reference
2. ^ "St. George Utah Temple | Church News Almanac". Almanac. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
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9. "'Absolutely incredible'; LDS church reveals details of pending St. George Temple renovations". Retrieved October 14, 2023.
10. "Read the original St. George temple dedicatory prayer and why Brigham Young was not the one who gave it". Church News. October 31, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
11. ^ Allen, James B.; Leonard, Glen M. (1976). The Story of the Latter-day Saints (2nd ed.). Deseret Book Company. pp. 377–378.
12. "A look inside the renovated St. George Utah Temple". The Spectrum. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
13. "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to unveil newly renovated St. George Temple". ABC4 Utah. August 30, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
14. "A path still trod". Deseret News. March 29, 2008. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
15. ^ Curtis, Kirk (October 19, 1964). HISTORY OF THE ST. GEORGE TEMPLE. Brigham Young University. pp. 23–28.
16. ^ Kirk, Curtis (1964). HISTORY OF THE ST GEORGE TEMPLE. Brigham Young University. pp. 43, 64, 142.
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19. "St. George failed as a Western cotton capital". Deseret News. April 26, 2010. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
20. "St. George Utah Temple, Dedicatory Prayer". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
21. Beery, Tim. "Alder tells history of St. George Temple". The Spectrum. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
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26. "Temple burns — but not angel". Deseret News. July 11, 2003. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
27. Ingram, Aleah (October 6, 2023). "10 Fascinating Facts About the St. George Utah Temple". LDS Daily. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
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29. ^ Demille, Janice Force (1977). The St. George Temple First 100 Years. Hurricane, Utah: Homestead Publishers. pp. 130–131, 181.
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36. Kahkonen, Delores. "Lecture on 85 Indian Chiefs" (PDF). Washington County Historical Society.
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39. ^ "St. George Temple Media Kit" (PDF). Newsroom for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
40. Wixom, Cassidy; May 8, KSL com | Posted-; P.m, 2023 at 7:32. "St. George Utah Temple will be dedicated in December". www.ksl.com. Retrieved October 14, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
41. Noyce, David. "This week in Mormon Land", The Salt Lake Tribune, 31 January 2019. Retrieved on 17 March 2020.
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43. ^ "The wait is over: The St. George LDS Temple reopens. See the renovated interior and exterior". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
44. Admin, Westland (September 21, 2014). "St. George Temple Renovation | Westland". Retrieved October 16, 2023.
45. ^ "St. George Utah Temple Fact Sheet" (PDF). Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Newsroom. p. 3. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
46. "Temple Designs | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org". Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
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49. ^ "Renovated St. George Utah Temple Ready for Tours". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. September 6, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
50. ^ "See inside the newly renovated St. George Utah Temple as media, special-guest tours begin". Church News. September 6, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
51. ^ "Of Chapels and Temples: Explaining Latter-day Saint Worship Services". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. November 15, 2007. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
52. "Temple Open Houses and Dedications". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved December 1, 2023.

Further reading

• Allen, James B.; Leonard, Glen M. (1992) , The Story of the Latter-day Saints, Deseret Book, ISBN 0-87579-565-X

External links

• St. George Utah Temple Official site
• St. George Utah Temple at ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org

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