Quick Facts

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Description

The Manti Utah Temple, Located in the city of Manti, Utah, is the fifth constructed temple, the third temple built west of the Mississippi River, and the third still in use. It was preceded by The St. George Utah and Logan Utah Temples. The Manti Temple was designed by William Harrison Folsom, who moved to Manti while the temple was under construction. Up until 2019, it was one of only two remaining temples in the world where live actors are used in the endowment ceremonies (the other was the Salt Lake Temple); all other temples use films in the presentation of the endowment.^[1]Satterfield, Rick, “Manti Utah Temple”, Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, LDSChurchTemples.com, retrieved 2012-10-11 Like the Original St. George and Original Logan Temples, it uses 4 progressive rooms to represent progression through life.^[2] Boyd K. Packer. The Holy Temple, p. 35

History

Timeline

On 9 April 1850 Nelson Higgins wrote a letter from Sanpete County to Brigham Young. The leter, published in the 27 April Deseret News, says that an adobe wall fort was being built in the county (at the future location of Manti). The fort enclosed 59 acres, and, according to the leter, a lot in the middle, even then called the Temple Block, was being reserved. This block, Block 56, houses the city Tabernacle.^[3]Lillian H. Fox, “Manti’s Historical Block 56,” Saga of the Sandpitch, v 22, 1990, p23. https://www.sanpete.com/uploads/1/3/6/2/136253634/saga_of_the_sanpitch_22.pdf

Monday 5 August of 1850 saw Brigham Yound and Heber C. Kimball choose the site for a city at the Sanpete Fort. 110 blocks for the city were then surveyed by William M. Lemon. Though there is no surviving record of it fromt he time, settlers would later assert that Brigham Young pointed out the nill north east of the town as being the future site of the temple at that time.^[4]Journal History of the Church, 5 August, 1850. Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008; 1850-1859; 1850; Church History Library, https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets/2f0fd083-3682-471f-819f-1326494961f6/0/840?lang=eng (accessed: December 7, 2023)

Announcement

Brigham Young announced the decision to build a temple in Manti  on June 25, 1875. The Salt Lake Temple had been announced in 1847, but construction was still underway and not finished until 1893. The Manti Temple was built, along with the St. George and Logan temples, to satisfy the church’s immediate need for temple work.

The site for the temple was the Manti Stone Quarry, a large hill immediately northeast of town. Early Mormon settlers in the area had prophesied that this would be the site of a temple.

1890s

1890s smoke from the furnace at the north end of the annex was discoloring the building. Thus, one of the first improvements was the construction of a new smokestack with a flue taking the smoke from the basement of the annex out to the hill on the east side of the temple.^[42] Victor J. Rasmussen, The Manti Temple (Provo, UT: Community Press, 1988).

1906

As part of this landscaping project, 3 massive terrace walls around the temple were removed. The initial plan had been to have the walls bisected by a long staircase. The walls were completed up to the point that would have required the construction of said staircase, then paused to focus on the temple instead. The intention had been to come back to finish the staircase. When the decision was made to install a staircase, almost 20 years post dedication, and almost 30 years after the walls were started, The decision was made to remove the terraces instead. The hill was graded and grass was planted on the hill.^[43] Victor J. Rasmussen, The Manti Temple (Provo, UT: Community Press, 1988).

1907

Following the grading of the hill, begun the year before but finished in 1907, Construction of a great stone stairway leading up the hill to the west temple doors began.^[44] Hart, John L. (May 7, 1988), “Manti Temple 100 years old, in mint condition for centennial”, Church News

1924

Major renovation to the temple annex began on 28 March of 1924.The basement on the north end was excavated, lowering the boiler room 8-9 feet. This allowed the main annex floor to be extended across the top of the new Boiler Room all the way to the existing North wall. The new space created by this was used for a new kitchen and dining room. The original kitchen space was then converted into a nursery space where children could be entertained while their parents were attending the temple. As part of this renovation, the entire heating system was reworked or replaced.

Additionally included was the creation of a large water storage tank on the grounds. Water from the spring was collected through the night in the tank, then used to irrigate the grounds.^[45]”Temple to Close for Extensive Repairs Mar. 28,” Manti Messenger, 14 March 1928. The renovation was anticipated to take 3-4 months.

1928

On the morning of August 26, 1928 lightning struck the east tower of the Manti Utah Temple, though the morning had been bright and sunny. A fire started at the south east tower that burned downward for three hours before it could be extinguished. Despite the length of time, little damage was done. Repairs cost a little over $700 dollars. Many people said “it was the slowest burning fire they had ever seen.” This heart-stopping episode encouraged the installation of a lightning rod soon after, an addition that cost more than the repairs to the temple tower.^[46] Victor J. Rasmussen, The Manti Temple (Provo, UT: Community Press, 1988).^[47]”Lighting Fires Temple At Manti Burns East Spire,” Deseret News, 27 August 1928; “Menacing Fire Threatens Temple,” Gunnison Valley News, 6 September 1928.

1934

On 15 July 1934, the temple was fully lit at night for the first time.^[48]

1935

In 1935 a new annex extension containing a Linen Room and Office space was added to the west side of the annex. At the same time, excavation commenced under the Creation and Garden Rooms for the remodeling of the temple. Wash rooms, workers’ dressing rooms, locker rooms, rest rooms, and a stairway leading to these new areas were constructed.^[48] Victor J. Rasmussen, The Manti Temple (Provo, UT: Community Press, 1988). Construction began around the beggining of August, and was expected to finish up later that fall.^[49]”Temple Improvments Being Made,” The Ephriam Enterprise, 9 Septmeber, 1935

1940

On 18 March 1940 work was undertaken to remove the stone stairs and to beautify the grounds.^[50]Hart, John L. (May 7, 1988), “Manti Temple 100 years old, in mint condition for centennial”, Church News

1944

Between 1944 and 1945 the annex, chapel, kitchen, Garden Room, and men’s and women’s areas were remodeled.^[51] Victor J. Rasmussen, The Manti Temple (Provo, UT: Community Press, 1988).

1946

Starting in August and continuing into 1947, Robert L Shepherd painted the murals in the Garden Room.^[52] Victor J. Rasmussen, The Manti Temple (Provo, UT: Community Press, 1988).

1948

Robert Shepherd completed mural painting in the Baptistry this year.^[53] Victor J. Rasmussen, The Manti Temple (Provo, UT: Community Press, 1988).

1949

New stone clad vestibule added to the primary entrance, on the east side of the annex, to better control the temperature on the nearby interior rooms.^[54]”New Temple Entrance Nears Completion,” Manti Messenger, 21 January 1949

Also this year, Minerva Tiechert painted the mural in the World Room.^[55] Victor J. Rasmussen, The Manti Temple (Provo, UT: Community Press, 1988).

1956

Commenced

On 31 July 1956 new annex entrance was begun. The new entrance extended the annex 25 feet to the north. The Original chimney was removed, and an entrance annex was built in that location. At the same time remodeling was undertaken for the cafeteria, enlarging the linen room, adding a nursery.^[56] Victor J. Rasmussen, The Manti Temple (Provo, UT: Community Press, 1988).

Complete

The renovation completed about 5.5 months later on 15 January if 1957.^[57]”Manti LDS Temple to Open January 15,” Manti Messenger, 10 January 1957.

1958

Work was undertaken for remodeling the baptismal area, with an assembly area, youth dressing rooms, and more lockers in the Brother’s and Sister’s dressing rooms. A Children’s waiting room was also constructed.^[58] Victor J. Rasmussen, The Manti Temple (Provo, UT: Community Press, 1988).

1964

Commenced

The tunnel beneath the east tower of the temple through which wagons and cars could pass was closed off in 1964 as part of a long-term renovation plan. The plan would see space added to the Ordinance workers spaces, and the patron dressing rooms.^[59]Victor J. Rasmussen, The Manti Temple (Provo, UT: Community Press, 1988). The renovation started with the temples annual closer, which was extended for 5 weeks beyond normal, The temple reopened for work on October 6, though the renovation would continue as part of the annual maintenance for the coming years.^[60]”Manti Temple to Reopen October 6th,” Manti Messenger, 24 September 1964.

Completed

The use of the former tunnel space was finalized around 1969. That year, worker lockers rooms and a study room were put in the bottom floor of the new 2 story space, and patron lockers were added in the upper floor area of the archway.^[61]”Manti Temple Eyes Renovation Work,” Ephriam Enterprise, 19 June 1969 This renovation would see an excavation started for a new addition to the temple annex to increase the space allocated to the ordinance workers changing areas

1981 Renovation

Commenced

The Temple closed and was decommissioned on 1 October 1981. Due possibly to the outcry over changes that had been made a few years prior at Logan Utah Temple, the First Presidency was careful to emphasize that “there will be no change in the interior design. The historic spiral staircase and the murals on the walls of the various rooms will be retained, as will much of the furnishings.”^[63]”LDS Announce Temple Opening for Jordan River, and Close for Manti,” Daily Herald, 22 May 1981

Planning

Due to the age of the temple and the way things were done when it was built, there were no complete and existing plans of the temple as it then existed. The first year of the renovation necesitated surveying the building and drawing up a complete set of plans for the existing structure that were then used to draw up a new set of plans for the coming renovation.^[64]”Temple Renovation,” Iron County Record, 23 September 1982.

Known Scope

• 2 Story addition on the annex
• Redo entrance to match the styling of the temple proper
• Separate baptistry entrance on the south side
• Improve the service area of the Baptistry
• Construct 4 new sealing rooms (primarily in tower spaces)
• Replace Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Heating and Cooling
• Disconnect the temple from spring water, and connect to city culinary water. Spring still used for irrigation
• Install Fire suppression system
• Replace Roof
• Replace worst of weathered stone
• Remove existing sewer system and tie into city system
• Remodel/expand admin areas
• Add Foyer in extended annex
• New Locker and initiatory spaces
• Repair water damage to Assembly Hall
• Restoration of the Murals

Construction

The initial plan called for a renovation that would last 18 months to 2 years.^[65]”LDS Announce Temple Opening for Jordan River, and Close for Manti,” Daily Herald, 22 May 1981 This would have had the temple open again between April or October of 1984. However, by June of 1984, President Wilbur Cox, the only member of Temple presidency and staff to have not been released at the onset of the renovation, was publicly stated that he would not personally hazard a guess as to the exact date the temple would reopen.^[66]Mellor, Pat, “Temple Renovation Will Last for Millenium, President Says,” Manti Messenger, 12 June 1984.

Decorating

Florence S. Jacobsen, director of arts in the Church Historical Department, oversaw the interior decorating. Under her supervision, 65 original pieces of furniture were restored. Additional pieces from the 1880s were acquired, all in the Eastlake Design the temple was designed in by William Folsom.^[67] Victor J. Rasmussen, The Manti Temple (Provo, UT: Community Press, 1988).

As part of the decorating, a design designed by Sister Jacobsen was needlepointed into an altar and thirty chairs in one of the ten sealing rooms. The needlepoint work was produced by 64 women of the Manti area.^[68] Victor J. Rasmussen, The Manti Temple (Provo, UT: Community Press, 1988).

An original piece of early celestial room carpet was located in a local residence. A mill in England was contracted to reproduce the carpet for the renovated Celestial Room, no mills in the States being capable of the work.^[69] Victor J. Rasmussen, The Manti Temple (Provo, UT: Community Press, 1988).

Open House

After the renovation was completed, 40,308 visitors toured the temple during a public open house held from June 6 to 8, 1985. (13,436 per day average.)

Rededication

14-16 June 1985, Gordon B. Hinckley, Second Counselor to President Spencer W. Kimball, directed the rededication ceremonies.^[70] “News of the Church”, Ensign, August 1985^[71]Cause Thy Holy Spirit to enter and pervade all of its rooms and facilities”, Church News, 23 June 1985

In the rededicatory prayer, President Hinckley said of the temple:

“Almost a century has passed since this temple was first used. We thank Thee for the great and marvelous work done herein during those years. … With great care its former beauty, so carefully crafted by its original builders, has been brought back. Our present labors have increased our respect and love for those who built it originally and who sacrificed much in doing so.”^[72]Manti Utah Temple rededicatory prayer, in Church News, June 23, 1985, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/61731/Manti-Utah-Temple–Cause-Thy-Holy-Spirit-to-enter-and-pervade-all-of-its-rooms-and-facilities.html.

Rededicatory prayer

Rededication Order

At the time the Manti Utah Temple was rededicated there were 8 temples under construction, and 7 temples awaiting groundbreaking.

1995 Preservation

In 1995 an extensive exterior preservation effort was undertaken on the exterior of the temple.^[73] “Two temples scheduled for exterior preservation”, Church News, June 24, 1995 Limestone blocks that were in bad condition was replaced with newer stone where necessary.

2019 – Final Mormon Miracle (Manti) Pageant.

In 2018 the Church announced that the annual pageant in Manti, along with other similar pageants, would be discontinued. The 53rd and final Mormon Miracle Pageant was held June 13-15, and 18-22 of 2019.

2019 Renovation

Rededication

Redediccation Order

Presidents

President	Matron	Term	Years (est.)
Richard William Wheeler	Linda Nielson Wheeler	2021
Douglas Morgan Dyreng	Valerie Kay Brown Dyreng	2018–2021	3
Lonnie Boyd Nally	Kaye Priday Nally	2015–2018	3
George Steven Grimshaw	Carla Price Grimshaw	2012–2015	3
Ed Jolley Pinegar	Patricia Peterson Pinegar	2009–2012	3
Jay Bruce Harless	Marlane Seely Harless	2006–2009	3
Archie Maynard Brugger	Doreen Barbara Kurr Brugger	2003–2006	3
Jack H Goaslind Jr.	Gwen Caroline Bradford Goaslind	2000–2003	3
Graham Watson Doxey	Mary Lou Young Doxey	1997–2000	3
Lee Roy Barton	Norma Smith Wanlass Barton	1994–1997	3
Garth P Monson	Shirley Hall Monson	1991–1994	3
Earl R Olsen	Dixie Lois Cook Olsen	1988–1991	3
Alma Pexton Burton	Clea Rich Morgan Burton	1985–1988	3
Wilbur Wallace Cox	Leonora Fern Bench Cox	1978–1985	6
June Whitmore Black	Thelma Reid Black	1973–1978	4
Reuel Eldon Christensen	Vonda Henrie Christensen	1968–1973	5
Adolphus Bent Peterson	Mary Poulson Peterson	1959–1968	8
Lewis Robert Anderson	Clara Munk Anderson	1943–1959	15
Robert Dixon Young	Mary Susannah Parker Young	1933–1943	9
Lewis Anderson	Mary Ann Crowther Anderson Abigail Tuttle Shomaker	1906–1933	6
John Daniel Thompson McAllister	Catherine Ann Conover Minerva White Snow	1893–1906	12
Anthon Henrik Lund	Minerva White Snow	1891–1893	2
Daniel Hanmer Wells	Minerva White Snow	1888–1891	3

Myths and Stories

Ancient Dedication – Potential Myth

There is a popular story passed around concerning the groundbreaking of the Manti Temple. The story goes that earlier that morning Brigham took Warren S. Snow with him to a corner of the lot. He said:

Here is the spot where the Prophet Moroni stood and dedicated this piece of land for a Temple site, and that is the reason why the location is made here, and we can’t move it from this spot.^[81] “The Manti Temple”, Ensign, March 1978

The story is told in many places, including sources considered authoritative, including the Ensign, and Orson F. Whitney’s Life of Hebar C. Kimball. Most all of these sources seem to point back to the story as told by Orson Whitney as their primary reference.

In 1987, John A. Peterson of the Acquisitions Department (now called the Church History Department) prepared a report for Jane A. Braithwaite of the Manti Destiny Committee (a private, non-profit organization promoting and preserving the history of Manti and the Sanpete Valley.) In this report, he detailed his attempts to document the source of the tale. He had scoured all known pertinent records, including restricted temple records, looking for any confirmation. Included in his search were church records for the Manti Corner Stone Services, the private Dedication of the Manti Temple, Manti Temple Historical Record, Setting apart of temple workers, Temple Bulletins, Temple Attendance Roll, and records for a Temple Reunion in 1895.^[82]Parshall, Ardis E., “Moroni’s Purported Rambles,” keepapitchen.org, 18 November 2010

In none of these sources is there anything that could be seen as supporting the story, although the story, if true, would have found a natural place in any of these records.

A request for information on the Church’s opinion on this story returned the following answer:

“…although several sources refer to it, knowledge of whether Moroni dedicated the temple is inconclusive. Thus the Church does not have an official stance on the story.^[83]Tyson Thorpe, “Response to your question” Email to Brian Olson, 16 February 2018

Though the Church has no official position on the matter, according to a representative of Central Utah Pioneer Heritage Board commented on a post about this story on popular LDS History blog Keepapitchinin that in 2014 the decision was made to remove a line referencing this tradition from the Manti Pageant. That same year the church removed a painting depicting Moroni dedicating the hill from the temple.^[84]n8c, “Moroni’s Purported Rambles, comment #75″ keepapitchinin, 21 April 2013; CUPHA, “Moroni’s Purported Rambles, comment # 76,” keepapitchinin, 19 December April 2014

Two Points to consider

President Young’s Health

One last thing of interest to note: On 6 April 1877, Brigham Young presided at the St. George Utah Temple dedication. During that event, it was necessary to carry President Young into the temple. Brigham was at that time suffering from rheumatism and unable to climb the stairs up into the temple.

The groundbreaking of the Manti Temple occurred just 19 days later. This may cast some doubt as to the ability of President Young to walk alone on a hill to share this information with Warren Snow. There is no indication that the flat spot the temple currently sits on existed in any form at that time. The “corner” of the lot that Warren says Brigham took him to is not know. Had it been a lower corner, near road level, then the story would become more feasible. Some retellings have insisted that the Warren was taken to one of the locations for the future corner of the temple. Those spots would not be completely uncovered for another two years, when the area for the foundation would be created by blasting out the rock above with gunpowder.

While it is questionable as to the level of Brigham’s ability to move, at least one account of the Groundbreaking itself notes that with his counselors at his side, Brigham knelt to pray at the groundbreaking.

President Young’s Relationship to Warren S. Snow

As part of this story, one might want to take a look into the relationship that Brigham Young shared with Warren Snow at that time. Warren Snow has joined the Church very early on, and, like Porter Rockwell and Daniel H. Wells, had been a staunch and physical defender of the faith. He had known Joseph Smith, and considered Brigham Young both a true prophet of God and a close friend. ^[85]Peterson, John A., “Warren Stone Snow, A Man in Between: The Biography of a Mormon Defender” (1985). Theses and Dissertations. 5042. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/5042

Warren Settled in Sanpete shortly after the move from Nauvoo to Utah. He became a counselor in the Sanpete area presidency (1854), Then the President Young appointed him Presiding Bishop over the Central Utah Area (1854), effectively making him Brigham Young’s representative in the area. There is even indication that he was briefly considered to fill a vacancy within the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. During this time, Warren eventually became county treasurer as well. ^[86]Peterson, John A., “Warren Stone Snow, A Man in Between: The Biography of a Mormon Defender” (1985). Theses and Dissertations. 5042. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/5042

Eventually, Warren fell out of Brigham’s Favor when public outcry over perceived mismanagement of funds, both Church, and Public inflamed opinions against him. This, in addition to Warren’s often heavy-handed approach to fulfilling instructions, led to him eventually being removed from his positions of authority. He was then sent on a mission to England as well, effectively being removed from the county all together. ^[87]Peterson, John A., “Warren Stone Snow, A Man in Between: The Biography of a Mormon Defender” (1985). Theses and Dissertations. 5042. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/5042

Warren would later win back the affection of the local population by again zealously defending them against attacks from the local Indian populations.

I have not been able to find out if he won back Brigham’s affections as well. But with such a history, is it possible that Brigham would have shared such a story with Warren, and no one else?

It may be that the whole story has been a case of hearsay stretched into a misquote that took on a life of its own.

It may be that, if such a story telling as the tale states did occur, that it was an Olive Branch offered to an old friend, but it may also be that Warren Snow was the last person Brigham Young was likely to share such a story with.

Whatever the origin of the tale actually is, you are not likely to hear it officially endorsed by the Church again in the near future.

Symbolic Hardware Myth

Much has been said over the years about the unique hardware found throughout the Manti Temple. Specifically, the door knobs, hinges, mortise locks, rosettes, escutcheons and backplates. Theories over the source of the designs run from Arabic to Egyptian to Masonic influences, depending on which source you read from.

The Doorknob

Hugh Nibly tells the story of his Grandfather, John Patrick Reid, who specialized in designing the door catches, hinges, and knobs. According to Brother Nibley, His grandfather designed all the Manti Temple door hardware. The following is his analysis of one of the doorknobs within the Manti Temple.

Source of the Doorknob

Now, all of the above may in fact be true, and with the little I know of Hugh Nibley, that is a distinct possibility. However, the pattern on the doorknob in question are taken from an illustrated page of the Quran, and the designs are Arabic in origin. Specifically, the design is found on Plate XXVII (27) of the book Polychromatic ornament. One hundred plates in gold, silver, and colours, comprising upwards of two thousand specimens of the various styles of ancient, oriental, and mediæval art, and including the renaissance and the seventeenth and eigtheenth centuries by Auguste Racinet.

So then, what caused Reid to use a page from the Quran as his inspiration for the Doorknobs?

The True History of the Manti Temple Doorknobs

The answer is, he didn’t.

Because, sadly, John Reid did not design or manufacture the Manti temple Doorknobs. neither did any other of the pioneers who worked on the Manti Temple. In fact, if you reach around and feel the back of a Manti Temple doorknob, you will find there are marks on the backside of the doorknobs. If you could see those marks, you would find that those marks say “Russell & Erwin MFG. Co. New Britain Conn. U.S.A.“

West Doorknob

West doorknob of the temple (left) compared with the makers mark displayed via mirror (right.) (image flipped for readability.)

East Doorknobs

Photos of the west doorknob and manufacture’s marks, displayed via mirror. Not that in one photo a date can clearly be seen in the metal (“Date Jan 25 1870”.) This date, likely either the manufacture date or the patent date, shows that the design is older than the temple itself, as the temple groundbreaking was 7 years later.

By the time the Church was completing the Logan Utah Temple, the decision had been made to order many things as mass-produced, factory-made items via catalog orders. For Logan, at the very least, all the railings, balusters and newel posts came from a catalog. For the Salt Lake Temple, all of the wood trim work would be ordered from a catalog and shipped cross country via the now 23 year old railroad.

And so it was for the door hardware at the Manti Utah Temple. Pieces from the temple can be found within the pages of The Russell & Erwin Mfg. Co. Catalog for 1882. Finding a copy of the catalog, however, is a little more difficult.

Details

The Manti Temple was the location of the Holy of Holies until the Salt Lake Temple was dedicated. The room was then used for sealings until it was closed in the late 1970s.

The site for the temple was the Manti Stone Quarry, a large hill immediately northeast of town. Early Mormon settlers in the area had prophesied that this would be the site of a temple. When Young announced the building of the temple, he also announced that the 27-acre (110,000 m2) plot would then be known as “Temple Hill.”^[89] “The Manti Temple”, Ensign, March 1978

The Manti Temple combines the Gothic Revival, French Renaissance Revival, French Second Empire, and Colonial architectural styles.

Landscape

Many aspects of the Manti Temple are unlike any of the other temples in existence. It used to be said that “the Manti Temple is the only temple you can go through without a recommend.” At one time, there was a large tunnel constructed under the east tower, and a person could actually come from either the south or the north and drive past both temple walls, thus going “through” the temple. However, the tunnel has since been closed.^[90] Victor J. Rasmussen, The Manti Temple (Provo, UT: Community Press, 1988).

The temple’s water source is noteworthy. Originally, all the water came from a small spring located within a mile of the temple. President Young had purchased it from William K. Barton in 1870. It has been observed that, through the years, as the need for water has increased, the spring’s production has also miraculously increased. In 1981, the Church connected into the city water system to provide for the needs of the kitchen, but it still relies on the little spring to provide all the irrigation for the landscape.^[91] Victor J. Rasmussen, The Manti Temple (Provo, UT: Community Press, 1988).

Exterior

The walls of the temple imitate castle fortifications with their crenelated parapets. The current exterior measures on Google Earth as being 255 ft (77.84 meters) wide by 170 ft (51.81 meters) long. The current estimated footprint of the temple is 32,798 square feet (3,047.03 square meters.)

Cladding

Cream-colored limestone finishes the exterior of this majestic structure. The limestone came from the area where the temple is now located, a site previously known as the Manti Stone Quarry. Additional stone came from the mountains east of the temple and from a quarry owned by the Parry brothers that was northeast of Ephraim.^[92] Victor J. Rasmussen, The Manti Temple (Provo, UT: Community Press, 1988). The limestone, known as Oolitic Limestone,^[93]Oolite, or oölite, from Ancient Greek ᾠόν (ōión) ‘egg stone’ is a sedimentary rock formed from ooids, spherical grains composed of concentric layers.[2] Strictly, oolites consist of ooids of diameter 0.25–2 millimetres; rocks composed of ooids larger than 2 mm are called pisolites. The term oolith can refer to oolite or individual ooids.(“Oolite,” Wikipedia, accessed 9 December 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oolite according to many of the contemporary accounts, was soft and easy to cut within the ground, but hardened over time when exposed to air.^[94]Deseret News, 28 April 1877; Ephraim Enterprise, 2 May 1877 “Temple Block,” Deseret News, 24 May 1883.

According to one source, the stone has a natural grain to it, and when cut the wrong way across this grain, it weathers very quickly. This weathering necessitated the exterior refurbishment in 1995.^[95]Allen, Aaron, Text message thread with Brian Olson, 2023 The original Salt Lake Temple annex was built from this same limestone, and in an image by Charles Savage taken in 1911, the ornamental details had weathered badly in just 17 years. and is likely the reason the decorative ornaments were removed in the 1920s, and the exterior limestone painted white.^[96]C.R. Savage Co., photographer. Salt Lake Temple and annex , https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets/2ebf15e2-5a9f-4ab5-b4ef-45ede09d67a2/0/0?lang=eng (accessed: December 9, 2023)

Windows

The windows of the Manti Utah Temple have always had clear glass, similar to other temples of the time, such as Nauvoo, Kirtland, and Salt Lake.

Spires and Finial

Spire

The taller of the two towers of the temple is 179 feet (55 m) tall. Each tower has a tin capped gothic style top.

Finial

The east tower features a tall pointed finail, square in cross section, clad in the same tin as the roof below it.

The west tower has a flat roof, with no finial, but a small ornamental railing around it.

Symbolism

Inscriptions

Cornerstone

There is no visible cornerstone on the Manti Temple. Cornerstones at Manti are structural, and were placed 2 years after the groundbreaking. There is not a timecapsule in this temple as far as I know at this time.

Interior

The temple has 74,792 square feet (6,948.4 m²) of floor space.

Rooms

Within the temple are a baptistry, instruction rooms, sealing rooms (where marriages are performed) and a celestial room, which represents heaven on earth. Temple patrons still move through progressive instruction rooms as they did in the 19th century, rather than remaining in one or two instruction rooms, as is typical of modern temples. The Manti Utah Temple is one of only seven temples where patrons progress through four ordinance rooms before passing into the Celestial Room. The other six temples are the Salt Lake Temple, the Laie Hawaii Temple, the Cardston Alberta Temple, the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple, the Los Angeles California Temple, and the Nauvoo Illinois Temple.

The Manti Utah Temple is one of two temples that still employs live acting for presentation of the endowment. (The other is the Salt Lake Temple.)

Stairs

In the temple’s two western octagonal towers are freestanding spiral staircases with no central support. The staircases wind up six stories, which required considerable skill to build.

Having no central support, the stairways are two of only three like them in the United States (the other in the Octagon in Washington DC).^[97] Victor J. Rasmussen, The Manti Temple (Provo, UT: Community Press, 1988). Standing at the top of the stairs and looking down is like looking into a large well, six stories deep.[backref name=”history”] Not only is the support system of the stairs unique, but so are the railings, spindles, and paneling. Many have commented that the joints on the black walnut railings are so smooth that they cannot be felt.^[98] Victor J. Rasmussen, The Manti Temple (Provo, UT: Community Press, 1988).Over five hundred baluster posts for the stairs were turned on the same lathe, with four stamped, walnut medallions glued to each.^[99]Thomas Weston Welch, “Early Mormon Woodworking at Its Best: A Study of the Craftsmanship in the First Temples of Utah,” (master’s thesis, Brigham Young University, 1983), 42.

Murals

Hand-painted murals decorate the walls of the instruction rooms, where temple patrons learn and worship. Minerva Teichert, the prolific American painter, contributed a mural when parts of the temple were renovated in the 1940s. Her artwork adorns the walls of the world room, a room that represents the mortal experience. The mural, which she described as “a great pageant,”^[100]Doris R. Dant, “Minerva Teichert’s Manti Temple Murals,” BYU Studies, vol. 38, no. 3 (1999), 16, https://ojs.lib.byu.edu/spc/index.php/BYUStudies/article/viewFile/6578/6227. covers nearly 4,000 square feet of renovated walls.

“What could be more significant or greater,” Teichert asked, “than to tell the story of mankind from the Tower of Babel to the Zion in the tops of the Rocky Mountains?”^[101]Dant, “Minerva Teichert’s Manti Temple Murals,” 17. Majestic figures appear, including Abraham, Joseph of Egypt, Moses, Esau, the Pilgrims, Columbus and, at the head of the room, an “Indian Brave as the symbol of the American Continent.”^[102]Dant, “Minerva Teichert’s Manti Temple Murals,” 25. These figures, rendered in Teichert’s impressionistic style with minimal detail, weave together in an expansive visual narrative of human history. The painting reflects some of the purposes of temples, which are to help Latter-day Saints come to a greater understanding of their earthly journey, commit to following Jesus Christ, and strive to live service-filled lives. The Manti Utah Temple features beautiful hand-painted murals on the walls of its progressive-style ordinance rooms: Creation Room, Garden Room, World Room each have murals. The Terrestrial Room and Celestial Room do not have murals.

Woodwork

All of the wood for the temple, except for that used in the staircases, came from locations very near the temple. Manti boasted four sawmills. A site just northwest of the city, known as Devil’s Kitchen, grew timber so straight that the settlers were able to cut poles sixty to seventy-five feet long, which they used for the scaffolding.^[103]Thomas Weston Welch, “Early Mormon Woodworking at Its Best: A Study of the Craftsmanship in the First Temples of Utah,” (master’s thesis, Brigham Young University, 1983), 42.

The Scandinavian background of the workers was obvious in the construction techniques they used. It one point in the construction of the temple, a Norwegian boat builder was in charge of designing the roof. He had never built a roof for a large building before and was not sure how to go about it, so he simply used the design of a boat and turned it upside down.^[104] Victor J. Rasmussen, The Manti Temple (Provo, UT: Community Press, 1988).

When the main structure of the building was complete, work moved to decorating the inside. The Saints took great care in the details of everything. One unique feature of the Manti Temple is the carpet in the celestial room, which contains twenty-seven different colors all woven together.^[105] Victor J. Rasmussen, The Manti Temple (Provo, UT: Community Press, 1988).

Pageant

Since 1967, the temple grounds have been used for a summer performance. For eight nights each June, the north side of the temple transforms into an enormous outdoor stage for the Mormon Miracle Pageant. This pageant is a historical drama with live actors portraying scenes from the Restoration of the Church in the 1800s, stories from the Book of Mormon, and the journey of the Sanpete Valley pioneers. Far from city lights, the pageant seats up to 14,000 viewers under the stars. Admission to the pageant is free and approximately 100,000 visitor’s see it each year. In Late October of 2018 the Church announced that the various pageant through out the world would be scaled bark or discontinued. It was announced at that time that the last year for the Mormon Miracle Pageant would be the summer of 2019.

Contractors and Individuals

Sources and Links for the Manti Utah Temple

External links

Additional Articles

• Bendixen, Nani (2009), “The Construction of the Manti Temple”, BYU Religious Education 2009 Student Symposium, Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, pp. 135–147
• Dant, Doris R. (1999), “Minerva Teichert’s Manti Temple Murals”, BYU Studies, 38 (3): 6–44
• Hargis, Barabra (1968). A folk history of the Manti Temple (M.A. thesis). Department of English, Brigham Young University.
• Stubbs, Glen R. (1988) [1976], Temple on a Hill: a History of the Manti Temple (4th (Centennial) ed.), Rexburg, Idaho: Ricks College Press, OCLC 24263168
• Stubbs, Glen R. (1960). A History of the Manti Temple (M.S. thesis). Department of History, Brigham Young University.

Sources/Citation