Exploring the Los Angeles California Temple
The Los Angeles California Temple stands as the 10th dedicated Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Announced on March 6, 1937, its journey faced delays primarily due to World War II, allowing for significant adjustments in its layout, which ultimately increased capacity by 300 additional patrons per session.
LDS Temple News Presents the House of the Lord Los Angeles California Temple Temple
The groundbreaking for the Los Angeles California Temple occurred on September 22, 1951, led by the Prophet David McKay. In a memorable dedication, President McKay remarked on the significance of the gathering, noting the large assembly of general authorities and attendees.
A public open house ran from December 19, 1955, to February 18, 1956, attracting over 632,361 individuals. The Temple was dedicated by President McKay from March 11 to 14, 1956, marking an important chapter in its history.
Architectural Features
Covering 13 acres, the Temple boasts an impressive exterior of 146,000 square feet, adorned with Mo-Sai stone facing, a unique blend of crushed quartz and white Portland cement sourced from Utah and Nevada. The exterior also features wainscot made of granite from Minnesota, which assists in minimizing vandalism.
An iconic element of the Los Angeles California Temple is its single attached end spire topped by a 15 1/2-foot gold-leafed Angel Moroni statue designed by Millard Mallin. This particular statue is one of five across different Temples, where the Angel Moroni holds the Gold Plates.
Interior Highlights
Inside, the Temple encompasses four instruction rooms, ten sealing rooms, and one baptistry, amounting to a total square footage of 190,614. It reaches a remarkable height of 257 feet and is situated at an elevation of 289 feet. The priesthood assembly room can seat 2,000 individuals and features three pulpits on each end.
The interior includes exquisitely hand-painted murals in its progressive-style ordinance rooms, including the Creation Room, Garden Room, World Room, Terrestrial Room, and Celestial Room. Initially, the endowment presentation utilized live acting, making it the last Temple designed in this style before transitioning to a film presentation.
Renovations and Upgrades
Throughout its history, the Los Angeles California Temple has undergone several renovations. It closed for ten weeks in 1981 for refurbishments that introduced audiovisual equipment, allowing sessions to conveniently start every half hour. By 2003, the Temple returned to a progressive-style presentation of the endowment, with the Terrestrial Room completely renovated.
In November 2005, it closed again for a seismic overhaul and extensive renovations of the baptistry, reopening on July 11, 2006, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of its dedication.
Scenic Grounds
The site, located on Santa Monica Boulevard in Westwood, features a stunning landscape of flora, including Canary Island pine, palm, olive, rare Chinese ginkgo, and bird-of-paradise trees. Two distinct fountains and a large reflection pool enhance the serene atmosphere. The grounds are also home to various family-themed statues and a family history center.
During December each year, the landscape transforms as thousands of Christmas lights illuminate the area, creating a festive vibe for all who appreciate the beauty of the setting.
This remarkable Temple in Los Angeles continues to be a point of interest for many, showcasing a blend of architectural beauty and significant historical importance.