Manti Utah Temple
Encyclopedia
The Manti Utah Temple is the fifth constructed temple
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons). Located in the city of Manti, Utah
, it was the third LDS temple built west of the Mississippi River
after the Mormons' great trek westward. (The St. George
and Logan Utah
temples preceded it.) The Manti Utah 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 their rituals.
. The Salt Lake Temple
was announced years before 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 acres (109,265.2 m²) plot would then be known as "Temple Hill."
The temple was completed in 1888, and a private dedication was held on May 17, 1888, with the prayer given by Wilford Woodruff
. Three public dedications were held on May 21–23, 1888, and were directed by Lorenzo Snow
.
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.
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 baptistery, 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.
styles. The temple has 100373 square feet (9,325 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 (54.6 m) tall, and the open center spiral staircases inside the towers are marvels of pioneer ingenuity.
Temple (LDS Church)
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , a temple is a building dedicated to be a House of the Lord, and they are considered by Church members to be the most sacred structures on earth. Upon completion, temples are usually open to the public for a short period of time...
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons). Located in the city of Manti, Utah
Manti, Utah
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 3,040 people, 930 households, and 742 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,560.2 people per square mile . There were 1,010 housing units at an average density of 518.3 per square mile...
, it was the third LDS temple built west of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
after the Mormons' great trek westward. (The St. George
St. George Utah Temple
The St. George Utah Temple is the first temple completed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after the forced exodus of the body of the Church from Nauvoo, Illinois, after the death of its founder Joseph Smith, Jr.-Description:The building is located in the SW Utah city of St....
and Logan Utah
Logan Utah Temple
The Logan Utah Temple is the 4th constructed and 2nd operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Located in the city of Logan, Utah, it was the second LDS temple built in the Rocky Mountains .The LDS temple in Logan was announced on May 18, 1877, just after the dedication...
temples preceded it.) The Manti Utah Temple was designed by William Harrison Folsom
William Harrison Folsom
William Harrison Folsom was an architect and contractor. He constructed many of the historic buildings in Utah, particularly in Salt Lake City. Folsom is probably best known as a Latter-day Saint architect. Many of his most prominent works were commissioned by The Church of Jesus Christ of...
, 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
Salt Lake Temple
The Salt Lake Temple is the largest and best-known of more than 130 temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is the sixth temple built by the church, requiring 40 years to complete, and the fourth operating temple built since the Mormon exodus from Nauvoo,...
); all other temples use films in their rituals.
History
The decision to build an LDS temple in Manti was announced on June 25, 1875 by Brigham YoungBrigham Young
Brigham Young was an American leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and a settler of the Western United States. He was the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1847 until his death in 1877, he founded Salt Lake City, and he served as the first governor of the Utah...
. The Salt Lake Temple
Salt Lake Temple
The Salt Lake Temple is the largest and best-known of more than 130 temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is the sixth temple built by the church, requiring 40 years to complete, and the fourth operating temple built since the Mormon exodus from Nauvoo,...
was announced years before 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
Brigham Young
Brigham Young was an American leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and a settler of the Western United States. He was the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1847 until his death in 1877, he founded Salt Lake City, and he served as the first governor of the Utah...
announced the building of the temple, he also announced that the 27 acres (109,265.2 m²) plot would then be known as "Temple Hill."
The temple was completed in 1888, and a private dedication was held on May 17, 1888, with the prayer given by Wilford Woodruff
Wilford Woodruff
Wilford Woodruff, Sr. was the fourth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1889 until his death...
. Three public dedications were held on May 21–23, 1888, and were directed by Lorenzo Snow
Lorenzo Snow
Lorenzo Snow was the fifth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1898 to his death. Snow was the last president of the LDS Church in the nineteenth century.-Family:...
.
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.
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. 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. 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 baptistery, 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
Gordon B. Hinckley
Gordon Bitner Hinckley was an American religious leader and author who served as the 15th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from March 12, 1995 until his death...
directed the rededication ceremonies.
Style
The Manti Temple combines the Gothic Revival, French Renaissance Revival, French Second Empire, and Colonial architecturalColonial house
American colonial architecture includes several building design styles associated with the colonial period of the United States, including First Period English , French Colonial, Spanish Colonial, Dutch Colonial, German Colonial and Georgian Colonial...
styles. The temple has 100373 square feet (9,325 m²) of floor space, eight sealing rooms, four ordinance rooms, and a Celestial room. The exterior is made of fine-textured, cream-colored oolite
Oolite
Oolite is a sedimentary rock formed from ooids, spherical grains composed of concentric layers. The name derives from the Hellenic word òoion for egg. Strictly, oolites consist of ooids of diameter 0.25–2 mm; rocks composed of ooids larger than 2 mm are called pisolites...
limestone from quarries in the hill on which the temple now stands. The two towers of the temple are 179 feet (54.6 m) tall, and the open center spiral staircases inside the towers are marvels of pioneer ingenuity.
Temple Presidents
- Daniel H. WellsDaniel H. WellsDaniel Hanmer Wells was an apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the third mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, United States....
, 1888–1891 - Anthon H. LundAnthon H. LundAnthon Henrik Lund was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a prominent Utah leader.-History:...
, 1891–1893 - John D. T. McAllisterJohn D. T. McAllisterJohn Daniel Thompson McAllister was a 19th century regional leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . He is possibly most notable for having written the "Hand Cart Song".-Biography:...
, 1893–1906 - Lewis Anderson, 1906–1933
- Robert D. YoungRobert D. YoungRobert Dixon Young was a leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Young was born in Kirkentollock, Dunbartonshire, Scotland. In 1872 he immigrated to the United States with his parents, who as Latter-day Saints wanted to join with the body of the Church. They lived in Salt Lake...
, 1933–1943 - Lewis R. Anderson, 1943–1959
- A. Bent Peterson, 1959–1968
- Reuel E. Christensen, 1968–1974
- June W. Black, 1974–1978
- Wilbur W. Cox, 1978–1985
- Alma P. Burton, 1985–1988
- Earl R. Olsen, 1988–1991
- Garth P. Monson, 1991–1994
- Lee R. Barton, 1994–1997
- Graham W. Doxey, 1997–2000
- Jack H. GoaslindJack H. GoaslindJack H. Goaslind, Jr. was a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1978 to his death. He was the seventeenth general president of the Young Men organization of the church from 1990-98.-Early life and local church service:Goaslind was born in Salt Lake City,...
, 2000–2003 - Archie M. Brugger, 2003–2006
- J. Bruce Harless, 2006–2009
- Ed J. PinegarEd J. PinegarEd Jolley Pinegar is a Latter-day Saint author, educator and leader. His books include Look to the Temple and Raising the Bar, and several works dealing with the study of the Book of Mormon. Many of his books were written with LDS author Richard J...
, 2009–present
See also
- Temple (Latter Day Saints)
- 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
- Comparison of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsComparison of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsBelow is a chronological list of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with sortable columns. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a temple is a building dedicated to be a House of the Lord, and considered by church members to be the most sacred structures on earth...
- Mormon Miracle PageantMormon Miracle PageantThe Mormon Miracle Pageant is a Latter-day Saint Pageant held in Manti, Utah. It is produced by an amateur cast of over five hundred members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . The nightly program takes place on the south lawn of temple hill at the Manti Temple...
- Temple architecture (Latter-day Saints)
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in UtahThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in UtahAs of year-end 2007, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reported 1,823,613 members in 523 stakes, 1 district, 4,666 Congregations , and 5 missions...