Oquirrh Mountain Temple - A Special Utah Place
The Oquirrh Mountain Temple, a truly beautiful and much-loved structure, holds a very significant spot in the hearts of many people. Situated in South Jordan, Utah, this building, which really stands out, tells a story of faith and community, and it's a place that, you know, just feels right for quiet reflection. It’s one of those buildings that, like, really catches your eye and makes you think about bigger things.
This particular temple, which is quite a sight to see, became the thirteenth such structure to be put up in the state of Utah, and it was also the fourth one to be built in the Salt Lake Valley area. It opened its doors for sacred purposes back in two thousand nine, so it's a relatively recent addition to the skyline, yet it has, in a way, already become a very important landmark for folks around here.
We'll talk a little about its background, where it sits, and some of the things that make it what it is. You can also, you know, get a sense of its appearance and what it means to people who visit. This special building, in its spot near the Oquirrh Mountains, has quite a story, and we're going to share some of the interesting bits about it, so stick around.
Table of Contents
- What Makes the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Special?
- A Look at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple's Design
- Who Can Visit the Oquirrh Mountain Temple's Interior?
- How Does the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Relate to Others?
What Makes the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Special?
This building, the Oquirrh Mountain Temple, truly stands out for a few good reasons, you know. It's not just another big building; it has a particular place in the history of these kinds of structures. When it was finished and ready for use, it became the one hundred thirtieth temple of its kind that was actively serving people around the world. That's a pretty big number, so it shows a long history of these buildings being put up in many different places.
It also holds a special record for its particular spot. The Oquirrh Mountain Temple was the very first of these buildings to be put up in the same city where another one was already operating. So, South Jordan, Utah, where this building is located, actually became the first city anywhere to have more than one of these operating structures within its borders. That's a bit of a milestone, actually, for the area and for the people who live there, making it, you know, a place of particular interest.
The Oquirrh Mountain Temple's Unique Spot
The specific location of the Oquirrh Mountain Temple is in South Jordan, Utah, which is, like, a really nice area. It's quite close to the Oquirrh Mountains themselves, which give the building its name and, you know, probably a really pretty backdrop. The address for this particular building is 11022 South 4000 West in South Jordan, Utah, which helps people find it if they want to visit the grounds or, you know, just see it from the outside.
Being the second of these buildings in South Jordan means that the city has, in a way, a double dose of these special places. The first one, the Jordan River Utah Temple, opened its doors back in nineteen eighty-one, so it had been there for quite a while before the Oquirrh Mountain Temple came along. This makes South Jordan, you know, a rather distinctive place for people who follow this faith, giving them more opportunities to visit a building that is important to them.
A Look at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple's Design
When you see the Oquirrh Mountain Temple, you notice some things about how it looks, you know, its overall appearance. The outside of the building is made from a type of stone called granite. This granite has a light beige color, which gives the building a bright and welcoming look. It's a material that, you know, tends to last a long time and looks very clean, which is probably why they chose it for a building that is meant to be a lasting symbol.
On top of the building, there's a tall, pointed structure called a spire, which reaches up into the sky. At the very top of this spire, you can see a statue of a figure known as Angel Moroni. This statue is a common feature on many of these buildings and, you know, sort of marks them out. It's a pretty recognizable part of the building's overall shape and, like, its visual story, making it quite distinct from other buildings in the area.
Materials Used for the Oquirrh Mountain Temple
The granite that covers the outside of the Oquirrh Mountain Temple actually comes from a place far away, so it's not local stone. It was brought in from China, which is, you know, pretty interesting when you think about it. The fact that materials from so far away were used for this building shows the effort that went into its creation. This light beige granite gives the structure a clean and bright look, which, you know, feels quite fitting for a place of worship.
When you look at pictures of the building, or see it in person, you can get a good sense of its form and details. There are images available that show both the outside and, you know, parts of the inside of this house of worship. These pictures give people a chance to see the careful work that went into its construction and, like, how it was put together, giving you a better idea of its appearance.
Who Can Visit the Oquirrh Mountain Temple's Interior?
When it comes to visiting the Oquirrh Mountain Temple, there are some things to know about access, you know, who can go where. The grounds around the temple building are open to anyone during certain hours. So, if you want to walk around the gardens or just see the building from the outside, you're usually welcome to do that. It's a place where, you know, people can come and feel a sense of calm, even if they don't go inside the main structure.
However, getting inside the temple itself is a bit different. Only members of the faith that built the temple are allowed to go inside for the sacred activities that happen there. This means that while the outside is open for everyone to enjoy, the inside is reserved for specific religious purposes for those who are, you know, part of that particular church. It's a special place for them, and so it has different rules for entry.
What Goes on Inside the Oquirrh Mountain Temple?
Inside the Oquirrh Mountain Temple, people participate in what are called ordinances. These are sacred acts that have a lot of meaning for the members of the faith. For example, some of these acts involve things like baptism and confirmation, which are, you know, very important steps in their spiritual journey. There are also other acts, like the Melchizedek Priesthood ordination for males, which is, like, a significant part of their religious life.
When members go inside, they are often asked to bring their own special clothing for these activities. This clothing is part of the tradition and helps people feel ready for the sacred experiences they will have. It's all part of the overall experience inside this building, which, you know, offers a chance for people to connect with their beliefs in a very personal way. The Oquirrh Mountain Temple really does provide that kind of opportunity for its members.
How Does the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Relate to Others?
The Oquirrh Mountain Temple doesn't stand alone in the area, you know. If you're on the west side of the Salt Lake Valley, you can actually see several of these special buildings from different vantage points. For instance, you can often spot the Jordan River Temple, which is, like, another one of these structures in the same city. You might also be able to see the Draper Temple and, of course, the very well-known Salt Lake Temple, which is, you know, quite a prominent landmark in the city center.
This collection of buildings in one general area shows how important they are to the people who live there. The Oquirrh Mountain Temple fits right into this group, adding to the number of places where members of the faith can go for their sacred activities. It’s a bit like having, you know, several key points of interest that are all part of the same overall picture, serving the community in their own ways.
The Oquirrh Mountain Temple's Dedication Story?
The Oquirrh Mountain Temple was officially dedicated, meaning it was formally set apart for its sacred purpose, in two thousand nine. This event was a very important one for the community and for the church as a whole. There are stories and facts about this dedication, including, you know, details of the ceremony itself. It was a day that many people remember, marking the official opening of this new building.
One particular event that people sometimes talk about in relation to the dedication of the Oquirrh Mountain Temple is a lightning strike. While the details are, you know, part of the stories shared, it was something that happened around the time of its opening, adding a bit of, like, an interesting note to its early history. The dedication was a big moment, and it brought a lot of attention to this new structure and its purpose for the people who would use it.
Oquirrh Mountain Temple – JASON LARSEN PHOTOGRAPHY
Oquirrh Mountain Temple by Ericseye on DeviantArt
Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple
