In this picture, Laura is standing in front of the Salt Lake City temple on what is known as Temple Square in Utah. It is amazing architecture! Some consider it one of the wonders of the world because of the harsh conditions and sparse resources in Utah at that time.
The temple represents the pioneers, including some of Laura's ancestors, who settled the Utah territory in the 1800's. It is constructed of granite stone from a quarry in the near-by Rocky mountains that loom protectively over the Utah valley.
Quick facts: Temple Announcement: 28 July 1847
Site Dedication: 14 February 1853 by Heber C. Kimball
Groundbreaking: 14 February 1853 by Brigham Young
Public Open House: 5 April 1893
Dedication: 6–24 April 1893 by Wilford Woodruff
Temple Locale
Positioned on Salt Lake City's center block, known as Temple Square, the spires of the Salt Lake Temple rise amid downtown high-rises and super malls. Sharing the block are the North Visitors' Center and South Visitors' Center; the Tabernacle, home of the famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir; and the Gothic-style Assembly Hall. East of the temple is the masterfully landscaped Main Street Plaza, complete with reflecting pool. Beyond the plaza is the Church's world headquarters, known as the Church Office Building, and the Joseph Smith Memorial Building—a multipurpose Church building, which has become a popular wedding event center. The Church's Conference Center, an architectural masterpiece, lies directly north of the temple. Every holiday season, Temple Square is transformed into a highly popular display of hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights.
Temple Facts
The Salt Lake Temple was the fourth temple built in Utah.
With its distinctive spires and statue of the angel Moroni, the Salt Lake Temple is an international symbol of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
The Salt Lake Temple is the largest temple (most square footage) of the Church.
Original plans for the Salt Lake Temple called for two angel Moroni statues—one on the east central spire and one on the west.
The Salt Lake Temple took 40 years to build with its highly ornate interior being completed in just a year.
