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Temple Symbolism
Rich symbolism adorns the exterior of the Salt Lake
Temple, depicting mankind's journey from mortality into the eternal realms.
Perhaps Elder J. Golden Kimball expressed it best when he stated: "When I think
about that building, every stone in it is a sermon to me."1 Following is a
summary of some of the major symbolism of the Salt Lake Temple:
Angel Moroni - The angel Moroni
depicts both a messenger of the restoration of the gospel and a herald of the
Second Coming: "for the Son of Man shall come, and he shall send his angels
before him with the great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together the
remainder of his elect from the four winds" (JS-M 1:37).
Towers - The three towers on the
east side represent the First Presidency of the Church and the Melchizedek
Priesthood; the twelve pinnacles rising from the towers represent the Twelve
Apostles. The three towers on the west side represent the Presiding Bishopric
and the Aaronic Priesthood; the twelve pinnacles rising from the towers
represent the High Council.
Battlements - The castle-like
battlements that surround the temple symbolize a separation from the world as
well as a protection of the holy ordinances practiced within its walls.
Earthstones - The earthstones,
located at the base of each buttress, represent the earth—the "footstool of
God." Although the earth is currently a telestial kingdom, it will transition to
a terrestrial kingdom at the coming of the Millennium; and at the end of one
thousand years, it is destined to become a celestial kingdom.
Moonstones - Located directly above
the earthstones, the moon is depicted in its various phases around the temple.
The changing moon can represent the stages of human progression from birth to
resurrection or represent the patron's journey from darkness to light.
Sunstones - Located directly about
the moonstones, the sunstones depict the sun—a symbol of the glory of the
celestial kingdom.
Cloudstones - High above the
sunstones on the east center tower are two clouds with descending rays of light
(originally planned to be one white and one black with descending trumpets.) The
parallel of this symbolism is found in the Old Testament. Once temples were
dedicated in ancient Israel, they were filled with the "cloud of the Lord." At
Mount Sinai, the children of Israel saw this cloud as both dark and bright
accompanied by the blasting of a trumpet.
Starstones - Six-pointed stars
represent the actual stars in the heaven. Upside-down five-pointed stars
represent morning stars, compared to the "sons of God" in the scriptures. The
large upright five-pointed stars may represent the governing power of the
priesthood while the small upright five-pointed stars may represent the saving
power of the priesthood for those who attach themselves to it.
Big Dipper - High on the west center
tower is a depiction of the Big Dipper, a constellation used by travelers for
thousands of years to find the North Star. It is an appropriate symbol for the
temple where patrons come to get their bearings on the journey home.
Handclasp - Each of the center
towers features a pair of clasped right hands identified as the "right hands of
fellowship" cited in Galatians 2:9. In Jeremiah 31:32, the Lord uses the
handclasp to denote covenant making—an act at the very heart of temple worship.
All-Seeing Eye - Located atop each of the center towers of the
temple is the all-seeing eye of God, which represents God's ability to see all
things.
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