Friday, August 26, 2022

ALL OF THE SPIRES NOW REMOVED FROM SALT LAKE TEMPLE - Warning: Latest Photos are Shocking

The Salt Lake Temple Renovation and Restoration Project began almost 3 years ago starting in 2019.  President Nelson originally announced that the project would be complete in early 2024. I think the construction crews have faced a lot of  problems and setbacks. The project is now set to be completed in the year 2025.  Every time I go down to see the latest developments, the current state of the Salt Lake Temple  is always shocking to me. This is just my opinion but I am wondering if more damage is being done to the Temple than what an actual earthquake would have done. The spires have now been removed. All of the exterior ornamental granite details have also been removed. All the pioneer era murals on the interior have been destroyed. The Temple has been gutted not only in the inside but the outside as well. It looks like a hollow shell. I was under the impression that the project was to restore the Temple, not completely dismantle and take it apart. What historical renovation project does that? Will the Temple ever be the same again?

I can't help but remember that one month after President Nelson's announcement of the Salt Lake Temple Project, an earthquake hit downtown Salt Lake. The only damage was to the Angel Moroni Statue on top of the Temple. Moroni lost his grasp on the trumpet during Earthquake and the trumpet fell.  Now look at the Temple years later... All of the spires have now been removed. 














QUICK TIMELINE:

April 19, 2019 

Salt Lake Temple Renovation Plans Unveiled. President Russell M. Nelson announced at a news conference on April 19, 2019, that the Salt Lake Temple will close on December 29, 2019, for approximately four years for a major renovation and restoration project including improvements to the surrounding grounds and facilities. The temple is expected to reopen in 2024

March 18, 2020 
Salt Lake Temple's Moroni Loses Grasp on Trumpet During Earthquake

April 2, 2020 
Exterior Stone and Granite Details removed

July 29,2020 
Contents of the Salt Lake Temple Time Capsule were opened exposing the capsule's severely water-damaged content

March 12, 2021 
The First Presidency has announced significant alterations to the original plans for the interior of the Salt Lake Temple. The live-acting, progressive presentation of the endowment from room to room will be replaced by video presentation in single room. The historic murals of the temple have been carefully photographed and removed but will not return.

June 10, 2021 
The North Visitors’ Center on Temple Square will be demolished.

July 16, 2021 
Iconic Christus Statue Removed from the North Visitors' Center

December 13, 2021 
First Presidency Statement on the Salt Lake Temple Renovation It is anticipated that the temple and its surroundings will be completed in 2025.

May 13, 2022 
Salt Lake Temple Reflecting Pool Removed


I hope I am wrong. But I don't think the Temple will ever be the same. I miss what once was.





9 comments:

Denver Snuffer said...

The interior has been gutted and pioneer-era craftsmanship has been destroyed. The lath-and-plaster moldings and finish-work were unique, and cannot be replicated today. It can only be imitated. But, then again, the LDS church has become merely an imitation, and lacks all the vitality of the original. To me, this obscene effort is a monument to hubris, which is what happens when folks assume they can never go astray. It may be the property of the Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but the landmark, like the Notre Dame Cathedral, was a cultural monument shared and enjoyed well-beyond the mere owner.
To me, this is another tragic step in a long, tragic journey downward from the time of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, taken by the LDS church.

aredesuyo said...

This is just sad. I had been under the impression that they were just doing seismic upgrades, which is invasive enough. In any case, if God wants SLC destroyed by an earthquake, he will send one big enough to get the job done.

Douglas Larson said...

While we can (and should) mourn the annihilation of the beautiful craftsmanship and artistry of the pioneer builders, I believe we also have the opportunity to look at the SYMBOLISM of removing the temple's exterior stones (since this site has a strong emphasis on such things). And I don't say this to criticize the LDS church or mourn the course it has taken.

If the temple represents each of us, then perhaps we are now being presented the opportunity to remove the heavy stones we have been carrying and look within, exposing our "inner parts" to the light of the sun (Son). And instead of restoring ourselves back to what Joseph established (which quickly was corrupted), why not look to the original Source as the Foundation?

Paul said:
According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon. For no other foundation can man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation — gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble — every man’s work shall be made manifest. For the day shall declare it because it shall be revealed by fire, and the fire shall try every man’s work — of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he has built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss. But he himself may be saved, yet so as by fire. Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwells in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

Anonymous said...

It definitely does seems more like a total do-over than a renovation. Makes one wonder why.

Anonymous said...

👍

Bill Bone said...

Instead of complaining I would be preparing for an earthshake that will take out almost everything except the temple. Salt lake City needs a good wake up call. The righteous will be spared, the self righteous, not so much.

Anonymous said...

Jokes on the self-righteous when the temple topples down as well.

Saunders Clark said...

When the church stopped the true order of prayer several decades ago, that reminded me of King Hezekiah who removed all the "high places" to centralize worship at the temple in Jerusalem. This reminds me of King Josiah however, removing and destroying the stuff in the temple, 36 years before it was destroyed 586/7.

Anonymous said...

Living outside Utah, I haven't heard. Do they plan to put the spires back?