50 Fascinating Facts About LDS Temples

The LDS temples are known throughout the world. Most people are in awe of the beautiful architecture and the grounds around them. They serve as an important spiritual sanctuary to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. These Facts About LDS Temples will help you understand more about the beautiful temples that are seen throughout the world.

featured image with blue border, bold white title that says "Facts About LDS Temples" and images of temple card printable.

LDS temples are not just beautiful buildings to members of the church; they are a place to participate in sacred ordinances and rituals. Some of these include baptisms for the dead and eternal marriages.

What are LDS Temples?

LDS is a shortened name for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Temples are where members of the Church of Jesus Christ go to be closer to God and make covenants or promises with God.

Only members with a Temple Recommend can go into the Temple to make those covenants. In the Temple, members do work for their ancestors, get sealed (or married) to their spouse, and have their children sealed to them as well. If you want more information about LDS Temples, visit https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/.

How to use LDS Temple Facts

There are several ways you can add these LDS Temple Facts to your daily activities or make it part of a fun Family Night about Temples.

Make a trivia game out of the facts to use on long car trips or when you see a Temple.
Create a Family Night using the LDS Temple Facts.
Visit the Temple and talk about its significance and the symbolism of the Temple.

50 LDS Temple Facts

in post image with blue border, bold blue title that says "LDS Temple Facts" and text of a fact about LDS Temples

The Nauvoo Temple was the first to have an Angel on its spire, but it is not an Angel Moroni. It is actually a functional weathervane.
Initially, the Monticello Utah Temple was the only temple with a white Moroni. It has since been changed to the gold Moroni because the white one was hard to see.
Whenever possible, the angel Moroni is placed on a temple facing East.
The St. George temple has the most sealing rooms; it has 18 rooms!
As of 2023, there are 49 temples under construction.

The trumpet held by the Angel Moroni on the temples symbolizes the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
There is an Angel Moroni designed holding the Golden Plates, but they can only be found on 5 temples: Los Angeles, California, Washington D.C.; Seattle, Washington; Jordan River, Utah; and Mexico City, Mexico.
It took 40 years to build the Salt Lake City Temple.
There are more temples outside the United States than in the United States.
The tallest Temple is in Washington, D.C. Its spires reach 288 feet high!

The busiest Temple in the world is the Jordan River Utah Temple.
The Los Angeles Temple was the biggest temple built until the expansion was built on the Salt Lake City Temple.
The Washington, D.C., Temple has the largest temple grounds at 52 acres.
The first temple to be built outside of the United States and its territories was the Cardston Alberta Temple.
The Hong Kong China Temple is actually built on top of a meeting house, taking up the top three stories.

The statue of Moroni is a figure of respect rather than worship because of the role that he played in the Restoration.
The first temple constructed in the Southern Hemisphere was the Hamilton New Zealand Temple.
The Freiberg Germany Temple was the first temple to be built in a nation under Communist rule.
The Bern Switzerland Temple was the first temple to not have English as its predominant language.
The St. Paul Minnesota Temple was the first temple dedicated in the year 2000.

There are 77 temples that do not have an Angel Moroni.
The Nauvoo Temple and Apia Samoa Temple are the only temples to be destroyed by fire. They have since been rebuilt.
The Manhattan New York Temple is a temple within a building. There is a meeting house on the third floor.
The Manhattan, New York Temple was originally a Stake Center but was repurposed for a temple and is completely soundproof.
The Salt Lake City Temple is the only temple with two baptistries.

All Spanish-speaking nations in South America have at least one temple.
The Redlands California Temple’s land is a parcel of the original Mormon landholdings in that area.
Located off Highway 99, the Fresno California Temple—announced in 1999—was the 99th announced temple.
President Nelson has announced more temples than any other church president. 133!
As of 2023, there are 11 states in the United States without temples. Some are announced or under construction.

The ceremonies presented in the temple are currently spoken in 88 different languages around the world.
The first non-English ceremonies were performed in 1945, in Spanish, in the Mesa Arizona Temple.
Germany became the first European country to have two temples; this occurred after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reuniting of Germany.
The Laie Hawaii Temple is made out of crushed lava rock.
There used to be a tunnel going through the Manti Temple.

It is speculated that the cost to build a temple is between $7 million and $70 million depending on the location.
Smaller temples are being designed with “convertible” rooms depending on what the needs are.
One baby was born in a temple; the mother went into labor during the dedication and gave birth in one of the rooms.
There are two temples built in the shape of a cross (as seen from the air). They are the Laie Hawaii Temple and the Cardston Alberta Temple.
The Salt Lake City Temple is the largest at 253,015 square feet.

In the Provo City Temple, square nails were used instead of rounded nails in the construction.
After a fire gutted the Provo City Tabernacle, it was rededicated as the Provo City Temple.
Due to the way the Provo City Temple was built, all of the heating and air conditioners are in another building.
Members in the Temple wear all white to symbolize purity.
Originally, Brigham Young did not like the shorter tower that was built on the St. George temple. Ironically, after his death, lightning struck the tower, and it burnt down. The temple tower was rebuilt taller as Brigham Young had suggested.

The Draper Temple has the largest sealing room of all the temples; it can hold 100 people.
During the construction of the Salt Lake City Temple, you could see completely through it since the outside was built before the interior.
The Kirkland Temple is the only temple that is not currently owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It is now owned by the Community of Christ.
During the Kirkland Temple, children gathered shards of pottery and china to be mixed into the exterior plaster. This makes the building “sparkle”.
The Bountiful Utah temple had 28 dedicatory sessions and was attended by over 200,000 people, which is the most of any temple dedication.

Do you know any other fascinating facts about LDS temples? We’d love to hear them in the comments!

Are you looking for more fun and engaging facts to share with your family? Check out these other posts for more facts!

How Do I Access My Printable?

Fill in the form above. You will receive an email in your inbox. If you don’t see it, check your spam folder! You will then click to confirm your subscription. Once confirmed, you will be taken to Airtable (a different website) where all our free printables will be waiting for you! It is free to sign up for Air Table!

How Do I Print A PDF?

You’ll need a program that supports PDFs. Adobe Acrobat is a great option. Open the program, click file, then print. Select your printer and the number of copies you want to print. Be sure you click double-sided if you want it to print on both sides.

Can I Resell These?

You may not resell any printable found on our website or in our resource library. You may use them for class parties, at church, at home, or in the classroom. You may get these printed at an office supply store or copy center at your own expense.