Monticello Utah Temple
The Monticello Utah Temple is the 53rd operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Somewhere on the building of every Mormon temple, it reads: "Holiness to the Lord." Whenever one enters the Temple, they know that it is a dedicated House of God. The Mormon Temple is a place of holiness and a place of peace apart from the world. Mormon Temples are sacred structures in which eternal questions are answered. The Temples are houses of learning where truths are taught and ordinances are performed. These truths bring knowledge of things eternal and motivate the participants to live a more Christ like life. The work that goes on in the Mormon Temple brings to light God's eternal purposes with reference to man. For the most part, temple work is concerned with the family, with each of us as members of God's eternal family and with each of us as members of earthly families. It is concerned with the sanctity and eternal nature of the marriage covenant and family relationships. All are equal in the Mormon Temple; upon entering, the street clothes are exchanged for white clothing. Regardless of race, status, education, etc., the Temple is a place where all are God's children and all have the opportunity to participate in the sacred ordinances there. Whether living or dead the sacred ordinances are available to all. Through living proxies who stand in behalf of the dead, the same ordinances are available to those who have passed from mortality. In the spirit world these same individuals are then free to accept or reject those earthly ordinances performed for them, including baptism, marriage, and the sealing of family relationships. There is no obligation in the work of the Lord, but there must be opportunity. In October of 1997, President Gordon B. Hinckley, Mormon prophet, announced the building of smaller Mormon Temples throughout the world. One of these smaller temples was to be built in Monticello, Utah. Located at the base of the Abajo Mountains, 'the exterior of the Temple is finished in a marble called Noah's Crème and which was chosen for its color, range of shades, and availability. The hue of the temple seems to change with the weather conditions and the time of day. Thirteen thousand tiles used on the Temple were evaluated carefully to make sure they blended with each other for a uniform effect.'1
In less than one year after the announcement, the Monticello Utah Mormon Temple was dedicated on July 26, 1998. President Hinckley stated in the dedicatory prayer of the Temple "…even in seasons of great poverty, they [the Mormon members] have struggled to erect these sacred houses [temples]. Now Thou hast made Thy will known and blessed us with the means to erect many more temples, smaller in size but complete in their necessary appointments. These will be convenient to Thy faithful Saints and will meet the needs of Thy growing church throughout the world."2
The Monticello Mormon Temple serves nearly 13,000 Mormon members in Blanding, Moab, and Monticello, Utah areas and members from Durango, Colorado.
Located at the base of the Abajo Mountains, "the exterior of the Temple is finished in a marble called Noah's Crème and which was chosen for its color, range of shades, and availability. The hue of the temple seems to change with the weather conditions and the time of day. Thirteen thousand tiles used on the Temple were evaluated carefully to make sure they blended with each other for a uniform effect." [2] The Monticello Utah Temple has a total floor area of 11,225 square feet, two ordinance rooms, and two sealing rooms.
Notes
1 "The First 100 Temples", by Chad Hawkins, 2001, p. 146 2 Ensign, October 1998, p. 74
Other Temples in Utah
- Bountiful Utah Temple
- Draper Utah Temple (Announced)
- Jordan River Utah Temple
- Logan Utah Temple
- Manti Utah Temple
- Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple
- Ogden Utah Temple
- Provo Utah Temple
- St. George Utah Temple
- Salt Lake Temple
- Vernal Utah Temple
- West Salt Lake Valley Temple (Announced)
See also
External links
- Official Monticello Utah Temple page
- Monticello Utah Temple page
- Monticello Utah Temple page
- Mormon Temple Worship - BBC Religion & Ethics
- Mormon Temples - Lightplanet
- Mormon Temples and Secrecy
- Mormon Missionary Work - Lightplanet
- Joseph Smith - American Prophet
