Temple Square

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A panoramic view of Temple Square, from the LDS Conference Center , looking south.

Temple Square (Engl .: Temple Square ) is a four-acre complex in the center of Salt Lake City . It belongs to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . In recent years, the use of the name has changed bit by bit and now includes other buildings that are just outside Temple Square. Inside Temple Square are the Salt Lake Temple , Salt Lake Tabernacle , Salt Lake Assembly Hall , Seagull Monument, and two visitor centers.

history

Historic photo of Temple Square
Temple Square and vicinity in 2013.

When the Mormon pioneers in 1847 in the Salt Lake Valley had arrived, chose the President of the Church , Brigham Young , a place in the desert floor and announced. "Here we will build a temple for our God" was when the city planned this plot was for the Temple provided and became known as Temple Square . Temple Square is surrounded by a two meter high wall that was built shortly after the site was chosen for the temple.

The square became the headquarters of the LDS Church. Other buildings were built on the property, such as the Salt Lake Tabernacle and the Endowment House . The tabernacle was then rebuilt and the endowment house torn down. The Salt Lake Tabernacle is home to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and was built in 1867 with a seating capacity of 8,000 to hold general conference . Another church building, the Salt Lake Assembly Hall , was later built with a seating capacity of 2000.

As the church grew, the headquarters expanded into the surrounding area. In 1917 an administrative building of the church was built; on the east side of the temple and in 1972 the 28-story church office building was built, which for many years was the tallest building in Utah. The Utah Hotel , another building on this square, was remodeled in 1995 and renamed the Joseph Smith Memorial Building . In 2000 the new LDS conference center with a capacity of 21,000 seats on the north side of Temple Square was completed.

The Utah Genealogical Society and Church History Museum are on the west side of Temple Square.

Modern use

Temple Square at Christmas

tourism

Around three to five million people visit Temple Square each year. This makes it the most popular tourist attraction in Utah, more popular than the five national parks in Utah combined.

lighting

Concerts and other events are often held on the grounds and gardens in Temple Square. During the Christmas season, approximately 100,000 lamps are lit from the trees and buildings of Temple Square until 9 p.m. The great illumination of Temple Square is a popular event that attracts approximately 10,000 visitors daily.

Further use

The many entrances are a popular place for critics of the LDS Church, most of whom are former members or evangelical activists who distribute literature critical of the church. These places are also known for street musicians who perform there during the holiday season.

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Quoted in Gordon B. Hinckley , The Salt Lake Temple , Ensign , March 1993, p. 2.
  2. ↑ Jim Graham: Temple Square still top tourist attraction in Utah . Daily Herald. May 21, 2006. Retrieved December 14, 2006.
  3. ↑ Michael De Groote, Decades of downtown SL music and lights , Deseret News , December 12, 2010.

Further literature

Web links

Coordinates: 40 ° 46 ′ 13.6 ″  N , 111 ° 53 ′ 30 ″  W.