Exploring the Los Angeles California Temple
The Los Angeles California Temple serves as a significant location for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout the region and beyond.
LDS Temple News Presents the Los Angeles California Temple Temple
The journey to establishing the Los Angeles California Temple began on March 6, 1937, when the project was announced as the 10th dedicated Temple of the Church. Due to World War II, construction faced delays, permitting additional changes to the layout, which ultimately allowed for an increased capacity of 300 patrons per session. Groundbreaking took place on September 22, 1951, led by Prophet David McKay. His words during the dedication set a historical tone, marking it as a memorable event with a large audience.
The public open house, which ran from December 19, 1955, to February 18, 1956, attracted an impressive turnout of over 632,361 individuals. The Temple was officially dedicated by Prophet David McKay between March 11th and 14th, 1956.
Architectural Features
Covering 13 acres, the Los Angeles California Temple boasts an impressive 146,000 square feet of space, further expanded to a total of 190,614 square feet. Its exterior features striking Mo-Sai stone, a composition of crushed quartz and white Portland cement sourced from Utah and Nevada, complemented by a wainscot of Rockville granite from Minnesota. This design not only offers aesthetic appeal but also provides resilience against vandalism.
The Temple is topped with a single attached end spire that supports a gold-leafed Angel Moroni statue, measuring 15 1/2 feet tall and sculpted by Millard Mallin. The Los Angeles California Temple stands out as one of only five Temples where the Angel Moroni holds the Gold Plates, alongside the Jordan River Utah Temple, Washington D.C. Temple, Seattle Washington Temple, and Mexico City Mexico Temple.
Interior Highlights
Inside, the Temple features four instruction rooms designed for a four-stage progressive format, alongside ten sealing rooms and one baptistry. A spacious priesthood assembly room accommodates up to 2,000 individuals. Unique to the Los Angeles California Temple is its collection of exquisite hand-painted murals adorning the walls of its progressive-style ordinance rooms: the Creation Room, Garden Room, World Room, Terrestrial Room, and Celestial Room.
Grounds and Additional Elements
The grounds of the Los Angeles California Temple are equally captivating, featuring a variety of flora, including Canary Island pine, palm, olive, rare Chinese ginkgo, and bird-of-paradise trees. Fountains and a large reflection pool further enhance the serene environment. Additionally, the grounds host several family-themed statues and a family history center.
During the holiday season, the grounds are adorned with thousands of Christmas lights, turning the area into a festive display.
Renovations Over the Years
Significant renovations have evolved the Temple, including a 10-week closure in 1981 for remodeling, which introduced improved audiovisual equipment allowing for more frequent sessions. In 2003, the Temple shifted back to a progressive-style presentation while continuing to utilize film. A seismic overhaul and further renovations took place between November 2005 and July 2006, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Temple’s dedication.
Conclusion
The Los Angeles California Temple stands as a notable site reflecting the enduring commitment and faith of its members. Its historical significance, impressive architecture, and the beauty of its surrounding grounds create a uniquely important environment.