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54-520: The Boston Massachusetts Temple is the 100th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The intent to build the temple was announced on September 30, 1995, by church president Gordon B. Hinckley during the church's general conference . The temple was the first to be built in Massachusetts. The temple has a single attached end spire with a statue of

108-506: A classic New England style and color scheme, with “light carpet and marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and finely crafted, light-colored woodwork.” The temple is centered around the baptistry, which is designed to foster a spiritually uplifting environment. In addition to the baptistry, the temple includes four ordinance rooms, four sealing rooms, and a celestial room, each arranged for ceremonial use. The design has elements representing Latter-day Saint symbolism to provide spiritual meaning to

162-455: A controversial race-based policy . As of 2023 , all temple ordinances are unavailable to lesbian , gay , or bisexual persons who are in a same-sex marriage or homosexual sexual relationship, and to all transgender individuals who are transitioning or have transitioned. These restrictions have also garnered criticism from both outside, and inside the LDS church. To qualify for

216-433: A conversation with Woodruff, Logan Temple president Marriner W. Merrill stated that the contemplated public announcement prohibiting additional polygamist unions was "the only way to retain the possession of our temples and continue the ordinance work for the living and dead which was considered of more importance than continuing the practice of plural marriage for the present." Latter-day Saint temple building halted until

270-542: A desire to continue the ordinance work in temples was a significant consideration preceding Wilford Woodruff's decision (announced in his Manifesto of September 1890 ) that the church would discontinue its practice of polygamy . In 1887 the US Congress passed the Edmunds–Tucker Act , which disincorporated the church and directed federal officials to begin seizing its assets, potentially including its temples. After

324-512: A geographical area near the temple or from another area. In larger temples, the president and matron usually serve for a period of three consecutive years. In smaller temples, they "have an indefinite period of appointment." Most temple presidencies serving in smaller temples are selected from church membership living within the temple district. The administrative responsibilities of a temple president include ensuring all ordinances are performed by proper authority and documented correctly; securing

378-418: A global scale, church leaders announced an end to the one-year waiting period in most cases, except in relation to converts to the church, who are still required to wait a year after their own confirmation before entering the temple. Temple president Temple president is a priesthood leadership position in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . A temple president's primary responsibility

432-569: A judge had ruled that the building's steeple was not a "necessary element of the Mormon religion." Therefore, under the law the building height limit could be enforced. But the Supreme Court overruled the earlier ruling saying, "A rose window at Notre Dame Cathedral , a balcony at St. Peter's Basilica , are judges to decide whether these architectural elements are 'necessary' to the faith served by those buildings?" The judges concluded that, "It

486-403: A sufficient number of ordinance and service workers to meet the needs of temple patrons; overseeing the instruction of patrons, ordinance, and service workers; maintaining relationships with local church leaders; overseeing budgetary matters, property, and temple maintenance; and in larger temples the operation of cafeterias. For Latter-day Saints , temples are considered literal houses of God

540-682: A temple for the use of the Norwegian Latter Day Saints. Meanwhile, Young urged the Latter-day Saints in Nauvoo to redouble their efforts to finish the temple. By the end of 1845, the building was sufficiently finished to allow temple ordinances to be performed. Ordinances continued to be performed in early 1846 as the Mormons were forced to abandon the city. A small crew remained in the city and continued to work on

594-642: A temple recommend, an LDS Church member must faithfully answer the following questions which affirm the individual's adherence to essential church doctrine: A list of questions were first introduced in 1857 and used to qualify whether an individual could enter the Endowment House , before the first temple in Utah was built. They reflected the context of the times, including questions about ones belief in polygamy, branding an animal that one did not own, and using another person's irrigation water. Since then,

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648-506: A temple, only church members in good standing who have a valid temple recommend are permitted to attend the ceremony. In many nations outside the United States, a civil ceremony, where required by the law of the land, has been immediately followed by a temple sealing. In the United States, a one-year waiting period between the civil ceremony and a temple sealing was required until 2019. In May 2019, to standardize sealing policies on

702-400: Is a process which culminates in the participation by the couple in a ritual called the sealing ordinance; which involves pronouncing the couple as having a permanent marriage bond which persists even beyond death. This ceremony, among others, is taught as being vital to an individual's and family's exaltation status, following the final judgment . With the sealing ordinance being held inside

756-602: Is finished with olympia white granite. In 2020, like all the others in the church, the Boston Massachusetts Temple was closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic . The building has a classic New England-inspired architectural style, coupled with a traditional Latter-day Saint temple design. The temple's architecture reflects both the cultural heritage of the Boston area and the spiritual significance to

810-450: Is not for judges to determine whether the inclusion of a particular architectural feature is 'necessary' for a particular religion." On September 21, 2001, the steeple, including the angel Moroni statue was set in place, completing the temple. The Boston Massachusetts Temple is large relative to many other Latter-day Saint temples, with a total of 69,600 square feet (6,470 m), four ordinance rooms , and four sealing rooms . The exterior

864-409: Is to supervise the affairs of a church temple in both an administrative and spiritual capacity. The president is assisted by two male counselors and together they compose the temple presidency . Normally the wife of the temple president serves as the temple matron , and the wives of the president's counselors as assistants to the matron. The matron and her assistants share in the responsibilities of

918-663: The Tabernacle was considered a "portable temple" by the children of Israel in the Old Testament. The first Latter-day Saint temple ceremonies were performed in Kirtland, Ohio , but differed significantly from the endowment performed on the second floor of Joseph Smith 's Red Brick Store in Nauvoo, Illinois, and the Nauvoo Temple . Kirtland ordinances included washings and anointings (differing in many ways from

972-482: The angel Moroni . The temple reflects a classic New England influence. A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify the beginning of construction, was held on June 13, 1997, conducted by Richard G. Scott of the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles . The Boston Massachusetts Temple is located in the suburb of Belmont, Massachusetts and was dedicated on October 1, 2000. When church president Hinckley announced

1026-589: The succession crisis , Brigham Young assumed control of the church's headquarters at Nauvoo, Illinois. While he and the rest of the Quorum of the Twelve made contingency plans for abandoning the city, he may have hoped that it would not prove necessary. For example, in early 1845, Young convened a conference at the Norwegian colony at Norway, Illinois , and announced a plan to build a Latter-day Saint town there with

1080-461: The City of Zion plan and designated four of these to contain temples: Salt Lake City (1847), St. George (1871), Manti (1875), and Logan (1877). The St. George Temple was the first to be completed in 1877, followed by Logan (1884) and Manti (1888). The Salt Lake Temple took 40 years to complete because of various setbacks and delays. It was dedicated in 1893. In the late 1880s and in 1890,

1134-523: The Father and Jesus Christ , a sacred space where mortals may commune directly with heaven . As such the greatest responsibilities of the temple president are associated with the church's teachings of expanding divine contact within the temple. They include setting apart ordinance and service workers by the laying-on of hands; submitting recommendations to the First Presidency for counselors in

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1188-712: The First Presidency also dedicated a number of temples during Monson's administration. As of October 2018, Monson's successor, Russell M. Nelson , has dedicated the Concepción Chile Temple . The LDS Church has 367 temples in various phases, which includes 201 dedicated temples (192 operating and 9 previously-dedicated, but closed for renovation ), 3 scheduled for dedication , 48 under construction , 1 scheduled for groundbreaking , and 114 others announced (not yet under construction). It has been suggested that recent temple construction represents an attempt by church leadership to “re-energize” congregations in

1242-466: The Lord. Once dedicated, only church members with a current temple recommend can enter for worship. Temple (LDS Church) Upon completion, temples are usually open to the public for a short period of time (an "open house"). During the open house, the church conducts tours of the temple with missionaries and members from the local area serving as tour guides, and all rooms of the temple are open to

1296-465: The administration of temple operations and provide guidance and training for both temple patrons and staff. The first president of the Boston Massachusetts Temple was Loren C. Dunn, with the matron being Sharon L. Dunn. They served from 2000 to 2001. As of 2024, Lee R. LaPierre is the president, with Dorothy U. LaPierre serving as matron. Other notable presidents include Robert S. Wood (2009–12) and Steven C. Wheelwright (2015–2018). Upon completion of

1350-504: The building of smaller temples in April 1998, he also spoke of a goal to have 100 temples built by the end of 2000. The Boston Massachusetts Temple marked the completion of that goal. Richard G. Scott presided over the groundbreaking on June 13, 1997, and the building was completed three years later. About 82,600 visitors toured the temple during an open house prior to its dedication. A local radio station and newspaper working together produced

1404-615: The church. The temple sits on an 8-acre plot, and the landscaping around the temple features trees and walking paths. These elements are designed to provide a tranquil setting that enhances the sacred atmosphere of the site. The structure stands 139 feet tall, constructed with Olympia white granite. The exterior includes a single spire topped with a statue of the angel Moroni, chosen for their symbolism and consistent with temple traditions. The exterior also features blue stained-glass windows. The design includes elements that reflect both local culture and church symbolism. The interior design has

1458-406: The condition of exaltation after the final judgment . They are also taught that a vast number of dead souls exist in a condition termed as spirit prison , and that a dead individual upon whom the temple ordinances are completed will have a chance to be freed of this imprisoning condition. In this framework ordinances are said to be completed on behalf of either the participant, or a dead individual

1512-589: The dead , washing and anointing (or "initiatory" ordinances), the endowment , and eternal marriage sealings . Ordinances are a vital part of the theology of the church, which teaches that they were practiced by the Lord's covenant people in all dispensations . Latter-day Saints cite various Old Testament references to temple ordinances such as those found in Exodus 29:4–9 , Exodus 28:2–43 and Leviticus 8:6–13 . The words "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" can be found on LDS temples as referenced in Exodus 28:36 . Likewise

1566-420: The dead. The initiatory, endowment, and sealing ceremonies are today performed only within a temple. The sealing ordinance can be performed on behalf of dead couples; so long as the two living participants are of opposite sex they need not be married. It is also performed on behalf of living couples who wish to be legally married. In this manner, the ordinance is typically performed as a celestial marriage , with

1620-595: The endowment rather than live actors. Joseph Fielding Smith dedicated a temple in Ogden, Utah , and Harold B. Lee dedicated its twin in Provo, Utah . Spencer W. Kimball began a plan to build many more smaller temples according to standardized plans. Twenty-one temples were dedicated during his presidency, including the tiny Papeete Tahiti Temple —which has a floorspace of less than 10,000 square feet (900 m ). This trend has continued. Nine additional temples were dedicated in

1674-504: The face of flat numerical growth. Most temples are built facing east, the direction from which Jesus Christ is prophesied to return. The spires and towers on the east end of multi-spired temples are elevated higher than spires and towers on the west side for this same reason, and to represent the Melchizedek, or higher, priesthood. Some temples, such as Salt Lake , Chicago , and Washington D.C. , have triple spires on each side of

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1728-524: The first members of Smith's Quorum of the Anointed , or Holy Order, as it was also known, were made on May 3, 1842. The walls of the second level of the Red Brick Store were painted with garden-themed murals, the rooms fitted with carpets, potted plants, and a veil hung from the ceiling. All the while, the ground level continued to operate as Smith's general mercantile. After the early events of

1782-420: The first on-line tours of a temple. It included narration accompanied by photographs of the temple's interior. Because of a lawsuit filed by neighbors of the temple site, the temple was dedicated without the planned steeple. Hinckley remained optimistic and said the temple work would commence with or without a steeple. The Supreme Court of Massachusetts ruled in favor of the church the following May. Previously,

1836-460: The idea the marriage bond lasts after their death, or for "time and all eternity". A "time only" modification can be made to the ordinance, such as when the surviving widow of a celestial marriage wishes to legally remarry. In addition to the ordinances listed above, 19th-century temples were host to other ordinances that are no longer practiced such as the baptism for health and baptism for renewal of covenants. In 1922, Heber J. Grant discontinued

1890-587: The modern portion) and the washing of the feet ordinance. For nearly four years, beginning in 1842, Smith's Red Brick Store functioned as a de facto temple—the site of the first washings, anointings, endowments, and sealings. In contrast, the grand edifice known as the Nauvoo Temple was in operation for only two months before the Latter Day Saints left Illinois for the West. Preparations to initiate

1944-486: The practice of baptisms for health in the church. The second anointing is a rare, but currently practiced ordinance for live participants, and (less commonly) vicariously for deceased individuals, though, it is usually only given in absolute secrecy to a small number of members after a lifetime of service. The LDS Church booklet " Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple " explains that Latter-day Saints "do not discuss

1998-639: The presidency of Ezra Taft Benson and two in the brief presidency of Howard W. Hunter . Under church president Gordon B. Hinckley , the church dedicated 77 temples. In 1997, Hinckley introduced a standardized, smaller temple plan designed to bring temple services to smaller or remote congregations at a reduced cost. The first of this new generation of temples was completed in 1998 with the Monticello Utah Temple . The original plan called for 6,800 square feet (630 m ), later increased to 10,700 square feet (990 m ). Subsequent revisions to

2052-476: The presidency of Joseph F. Smith , who announced two additional temples: Cardston, Alberta (1913), and Lāʻie, Hawaiʻi (1915). Cardston became the first Latter-day Saint temple dedicated outside of the United States. Smith broke with the previous tradition (established since Kirtland) of building temples with upper and lower courts. Temples previously had been ever larger, but the Laie Hawaii Temple

2106-776: The public. The temple is then dedicated as a "House of the Lord", after which only members who are deemed "temple-worthy" by their congregational leaders are permitted entrance. Temples are not churches or Meetinghouses designated for public weekly worship services, but rather are places of worship open only to the faithful where certain rites of the church must be performed. The LDS Church has 367 temples in various phases, which includes 201 dedicated temples (192 operating and 9 previously-dedicated, but closed for renovation ), 3 scheduled for dedication , 48 under construction , 1 scheduled for groundbreaking , and 114 others announced (not yet under construction). There are temples in many U.S. states, as well as in many countries across

2160-430: The recommend, indicating their approval of that member's worthiness. The individual also signs the recommend, acknowledging the responsibility to remain eligible to hold the recommend. Most recommends are valid for two years. Temple ordinances have historically been unavailable to some members. For about 130 years (between 1847 and 1978) all LDS endowment-related temple ordinances were denied to all Black women and men in

2214-505: The same sex as the participant ("on behalf of the dead" or "by proxy"). Ordinances performed in the temple include: Most ordinances are performed by proxy only on participants who have already completed the ordinance. Similarly, most ordinances are completed only one time for a participant in a lifetime and all subsequent temple ordinance participation is seen as acting for a dead individual. Baptism, confirmation, and priesthood ordination are usually performed in temples only when on behalf of

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2268-553: The standard design further increased the size and complexity of the temples. The majority of the temples dedicated under Hinckley's tenure were of the smaller design, but one particularly noteworthy achievement was the rebuilding of the temple in Nauvoo, Illinois , known as the Nauvoo Illinois Temple . Hinckely's successor, Thomas S. Monson , dedicated 26 temples during his time as church president. His counselors in

2322-479: The successful operation of a temple. During a training seminar for new temple presidents, held in the Salt Lake Temple , Thomas S. Monson said: "We looked over the entire Church. ... We looked for men of God, wherever they might be. We found willingness to serve – not putting yourselves forward to volunteer, but being willing to serve. What a sweet experience this has been." They may be selected from

2376-728: The temple for time only. It may only be used in conjunction with a standard temple recommend. A limited-use recommend is available to members who have not yet received their endowment or who have not been a member for one year. These may also be issued to a group for a single visit to the temple, to youth 11 and older, or to others for specific cases. Those without recommends occasionally need to enter temples after dedication during fires, medical emergencies, or building inspections. They are escorted by temple personnel during such visits. Temples may offer introductory tours to new local firefighters and emergency medical technicians during regularly scheduled maintenance periods. The LDS temple wedding

2430-444: The temple ordinances outside the temples". To enter the temple, an individual must be baptized, and after one year, may seek a temple recommend , which authorizes admission to the temple. The person is interviewed by their bishop , during which the candidate is asked a series of questions to determine worthiness to enter the temple. The individual is also interviewed by his or her stake president . The bishop and stake president sign

2484-530: The temple presidency and for additional sealers ; performing ordinances; instructing first time patrons and youth groups on the sacred nature of temple work; privately answering various doctrinal and personal questions presented by temple patrons and workers; ensuring that the reverence and harmony required for temple worship is constantly maintained; and seeking inspiration and divine guidance on every aspect of his duties. Temple presidents and matrons, or their representatives, often attend stake conferences within

2538-506: The temple presidency. All members of a temple presidency are ordained high priests in the church. Temple presidents and matrons, the president's counselors, and the matron's assistants are appointed by the First Presidency . Their background in church leadership varies, yet they are couples who are considered by church leaders as spiritually mature and capable of handling both the administrative and spiritual matters necessary for

2592-432: The temple recommend questions have changed significantly, though less so in recent years. The standard temple recommend authorizes a member who has been baptized at least one year prior to take part in all temple ordinances and is valid for two years. A recommend for living ordinances is given to individuals who are participating in the endowment for the first time, being sealed to a spouse, or anyone being married in

2646-758: The temple representing three different offices in both the Melchizedek and Aaronic priesthood . A statue of the Angel Moroni , stands atop many temples built after the Salt Lake Temple. The statue design represents the Latter-day Saint belief that Moroni was the angel spoken of in Revelation 14. LDS Church members perform rituals (termed ordinances ) within temples. They are taught that temple ordinances are essential to achieving

2700-613: The temple until April 30, 1846, when it was formally dedicated in a private ceremony by Joseph Young , the senior of the Seven Presidents of the Seventy . It was used for three months, then abandoned in late summer 1846. The completed temple was eventually destroyed by fire, and the remaining structure was later demolished by a whirlwind . Upon reaching the Great Basin , Brigham Young began to build settlements based on

2754-514: The temple's appearance and function. Symbolism is an important subject to church members, including the steeple. In an interview with the Boston Globe, Gordon B. Hinckley said that the temple’s steeple “represents an upward reach to heaven. It carries with it the spirit and attitude of looking heavenward.” The church's temples are directed by a temple president and matron, each serving for a term of three years. The president and matron oversee

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2808-417: The temple, the church announced that a public open house would be held from August 23-September 29, 2000 (excluding Sundays). Around 72,000 people visited the temple during the open house. The temple was dedicated by Gordon B. Hinckley in four sessions on October 1, 2000. Like all the church's temples, it is not used for Sunday worship services. To members of the church, temples are regarded as sacred houses of

2862-519: The world. Several temples are at historical sites of the LDS Church, such as Nauvoo, Illinois , Palmyra, New York , and Salt Lake City, Utah . The importance of temples is often emphasized in weekly meetings, and regular participation in "temple work" is strongly encouraged for all Latter-day Saints (LDS). Within temples, members of the church make covenants , receive instructions, and perform sacred ceremonies and ordinances , such as baptism for

2916-627: Was smaller than the Nauvoo Temple had been. Both Cardston and Laie were dedicated under church president Heber J. Grant , as was a temple in Mesa, Arizona . George Albert Smith dedicated the next temple in Idaho Falls, Idaho . David O. McKay dedicated five additional temples including one in Bern, Switzerland —which was the first temple dedicated in Europe and the first temple to use film recording of

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