Discovering the Washington D.C. Temple
The Washington D.C. Temple stands as the 16th Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a notable site that reflects both architectural beauty and religious significance. Located at 9900 Stoneybrook Dr, Kensington, Maryland 20895, this Temple has a rich history and remarkable features that attract attention year-round.
A Brief History
The journey of the Washington D.C. Temple began with its announcement on November 15, 1968, followed by a groundbreaking and site dedication on December 7, 1968, by Hugh B. Brown. It was first opened to the public from September 17 to November 2, 1974, during which 758,328 guests toured the building. The Temple was dedicated for the first time from November 19 to 22, 1974 by Prophet Spencer W. Kimball.
Following a significant renovation, the Temple had a second open house from April 28 to June 11, 2022, welcoming 340,000 guests. The second dedication occurred on August 14, 2022, led by Prophet Russell M. Nelson.
Architectural Features
Size and Material
Spanning across 52 acres, the Washington D.C. Temple boasts an exterior finish made of reinforced concrete covered in 173,000 square feet of Alabama White Marble. Its impressive dimensions include 156,558 square feet of floor space, making it the tallest Temple in the Church at 288 feet.
Interior Rooms
Inside, the Temple features six instruction rooms, ten sealing rooms, and one baptistry. Unique in its design, it is one of only four temples with six instruction rooms, and notably, it’s the only one outside of Utah. The other three temples with this feature include the Ogden Utah Temple, Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple, and the Jordan River Utah Temple.
Stunning Artistic Details
The Washington D.C. Temple also features beautiful stained glass that runs the entire length of the end towers. This glass showcases warm oranges and reds, vibrant blues and violets, culminating in a brilliant white. The stained glass is emblematic of the pursuit of the divine and the purity that comes with spiritual ascension.
Symbolism
The exterior is adorned with eight bronze medallions that represent themes of creation, mortality, and the degrees of glory. These medallions display imagery such as the Big Dipper, North Star, planets, and concentric circles symbolizing eternity.
Angel Moroni Statue
A unique feature of this Temple is the 18-foot angel Moroni statue atop its spires, which holds the golden plates in his left hand and a trumpet in his right. This makes it one of only five temples globally to feature this design.
A Unique Place in History
The Washington D.C. Temple holds a special place in the history of the Church. Not only was it the first Temple built in the eastern United States and Maryland, but it was also the first to be constructed with six spires since the Salt Lake Temple. Upon its initial opening, it provided overnight endowment sessions from Friday through Saturday to accommodate visiting members during weekends.
The Washington D.C. Temple continues to be a place of spiritual significance and architectural wonder, inviting reflection and appreciation of its rich history and the beliefs it embodies.