Temple Facts of the St. George Utah Temple was the 1st temple to endowments for the deceased
Exploring the St. George Utah Temple
The St. George Utah Temple, located at 250 E 400 S, St. George, Utah, 84770, holds a special place in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It brings rich stories and deep heritage that reflect the dedication of early pioneers and the growth of faith in that region.
A Historic Beginning
The announcement of the St. George Utah Temple took place on January 31, 1871. Soon after, on November 9, 1871, Brigham Young, the Second Prophet of the Church, performed the groundbreaking and site dedication for the Temple. At the time, the land was swampy, yet the ground was reinforced with volcanic rock using a cannon, a unique detail highlighted at the nearby visitor center.
Construction and Design
Occupying 6.5 acres, the St. George Utah Temple features an exterior finish made of native redstone sandstone, quarried north of the city, combined with white plaster. Other parts of the building include precast concrete and steel. The Temple stands tall at a height of 175 feet and is built at an elevation of 2,678 feet, making it an impressive sight against the southwestern Utah landscape.
Interior Features
Inside, the Temple consists of 143,969 square feet. It contains three instruction rooms, several sealing rooms, and one baptistry, enabling various ceremonies and community activities. Notably, it was the first Temple constructed in the Utah Territory and the only one completed during Brigham Young’s 30 years as Prophet.
Historical Significance
On January 1, 1877, the St. George Utah Temple was dedicated in a series of three dedicatory prayers—Wilford Woodruff dedicated the baptistry, Erastus Snow dedicated the assembly room, and Brigham Young Jr. dedicated the sealing room. Shortly after, on January 9, 1877, baptisms for the dead were first conducted, followed by the commencement of endowments on January 11, 1877, despite ongoing construction in other areas of the Temple.
A Legacy of Resilience
In the years that followed the dedication, the Temple faced challenges, including a lightning storm that damaged the original tower a year after completion. A new, taller, and more majestic tower was completed in 1883. Furthermore, the Temple was not immune to disaster; in November 1928, a fire destroyed the annex built in 1883, yet all records and furnishings were remarkably preserved.
A Unique Spiritual Experience
The St. George Utah Temple is particularly known for its extraordinary experiences linked to its history. Among these is the remarkable account of Wilford Woodruff, who reported encounters with the Founding Fathers of the United States, who appeared twice asking why their Temple work had yet to be performed. This event was immortalized in a striking painting, “That We May Be Redeemed” by Harold I. Hopkinson, which hung in the Temple lobby for many years.
As a noteworthy piece of history, the St. George Utah Temple continues to inspire and connect with those who seek to understand its past and significance. Its story reflects the growth of faith and perseverance through the challenges faced by earlier generations, making it an integral part of the heritage in the region.