Wikipedia

Richmond Virginia Temple

The Richmond Virginia Temple is the 177th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located in Glen Allen, Virginia, a suburb of Richmond.[5] The intent to build the temple was announced on April 1, 2018, by church president Russell M. Nelson during general conference.[6] This is the church's first temple in Virginia.[7]

Richmond Virginia Temple
Map
Number177
Dedication7 May 2023, by Dallin H. Oaks[3]
Site12 acres (4.9 ha)
Floor area39,202 sq ft (3,642.0 m2)
Height164 ft (50 m)
Official website • News & images
Church chronology
←
San Juan Puerto Rico Temple
Richmond Virginia Temple 		→
Helena Montana Temple
Additional information
Announced1 April 2018, by Russell M. Nelson[1]
Groundbreaking11 April 2020, by Randall K. Bennett[2]
Open houseMarch 25-April 15, 2023
Current presidentLarry John Willis[4]
Designed byLanny Herron
LocationGlen Allen, Virginia, United States
Geographic coordinates37°40′22″N 77°32′06″W / 37.6728°N 77.5351°W / 37.6728; -77.5351
Exterior finishMoleanos limestone
Temple designJeffersonian Doric order, single-spire
Baptistries1
Ordinance rooms4
Sealing rooms3
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The temple has a large steeple topped with a statue of the angel Moroni,[7] with its design using local and historical American architecture.[7] A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify the beginning of construction, was held on April 11, 2020, conducted by Randall K. Bennett.[8]

History

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The intent to construct the temple was announced by church president Russell M. Nelson on April 1, 2018, concurrently with 6 other temples. At the time, the number of operating and announced temples was 189.[9]

On April 11, 2020, a groundbreaking to signify the beginning of construction was held, with Randall K. Bennett, president of the church's North America Northeast Area, presiding.[10][11] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the groundbreaking ceremony was limited to a handful of leaders and was not broadcast to meetinghouses in the temple district as originally planned.[5]

Following completion of the temple, an open house was held from March 25-April 15, 2023.[12] Over the course of the open house, approximately 46,500 people toured the temple.[7] The temple was dedicated in two sessions on May 7, 2023 by Dallin H. Oaks.[13]

Design and architecture

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The temple is built in a blend of Georgian, Federal, and Jeffersonian styles[14] with Doric order, with inspiration taken from Monticello, the University of Virginia, the city of Williamsburg, and other locations across the state.[15]

Site

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The temple sits on a 12-acre plot[5], and the landscaping around the temple is inspired by “the grounds and gardens of historic Williamsburg” and features local varieties of trees, hedges, and flowers.[16] These elements are designed to provide a tranquil setting that enhances the sacred atmosphere of the site.

Exterior

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The exterior includes interlocking diamond circles and the dogwood flower.[17] The temple is 169 ft. 9 in. tall, with a single spire with the angel Moroni, and four columns at the front entrance.[5]

Interior

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The interior features blue, gold, and red on exterior glass, interior furnishings use early American color palettes,[17][14] and the foyer depicts a 100-year-old art glass piece of Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd from an old, East Coast Protestant church.[14] The interior designs of the temple, including the foyer, grand staircase, and carpets, accentuate Jeffersonian ideas and Colonial designs.[17][14]

The temple includes a celestial room, a baptistry, four instruction rooms, and three sealing rooms, each arranged for ceremonial use.[5][18]

Symbols

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The design uses elements representing Latter-day Saint symbolism and the history of Virginia, to provide deeper spiritual meaning to the temple's appearance and function. Symbolism is an important subject to church members and include the celestial room, which “represents the progression toward Heavenly Father’s presence,”[18]

Temple presidents

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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 the administration of temple operations and provide guidance and training for both temple patrons and staff.[19] Since its dedication in 2023, the temple president has been Larry J. Willis, with Sandra M. Willis as matron.[7][20]

Admittance

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Following the completion of the temple, the church held a public open house from March 25-April 15, 2023 (excluding Sundays).[21] The temple was dedicated by Dallin H. Oaks on May 7, 2023.[22] 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 the Lord. Once dedicated, only church members with a current temple recommend can enter for worship.[23]

See also

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class=notpageimage|
Temples in the Mid-Atlantic States (edit)
  •   = Operating
  •   = Under construction
  •   = Announced
  •   = Temporarily Closed
  •   = Historical/Efforts Suspended

References

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  1. ^ "Seven Temples Announced as April 2018 General Conference Closes: Mormon temples to be built in Asia, Europe, North and South America". Newsroom. LDS Church. 1 April 2018.
  2. ^ Groundbreaking Dates Announced for Temples in Virginia, the Philippines, and Utah
  3. ^ https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/president-dallin-h-oaks-dedicates-the-richmond-virginia-temple
  4. ^ "Read about the new leaders of temples in Japan, Canada, Mexico and more". Church News. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Richmond Virginia Temple". Church of Jesus Christ Temples. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  6. ^ "President Russell M. Nelson announces seven new temples at close of historic conference". Church News. 2018-04-01. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Richmond Virginia Temple". Church News. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  8. ^ "The untold story of the simple Richmond Virginia Temple groundbreaking — 3 years later". Church News. 2023-05-05. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  9. ^ "7 New Temples Announced during April 2018 General Conference", Newsroom, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2018-04-01
  10. ^ Talya Cunningham (March 3, 2020), Ahead of Mormon temple groundbreaking, church donates 40,000 pounds of goods, WRIC-TV
  11. ^ "Construction on Richmond-Area Mormon Temple Set for Spring", U.S. News & World Report, Associated Press, January 24, 2020
  12. ^ "New temple to serve 34,000 Latter-day Saints in Virginia: 'Feel the peace that we feel'". CBS 6 News Richmond WTVR. 2023-03-25. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  13. ^ "President Dallin H. Oaks Dedicates Richmond Virginia Temple: 'The work of the temples is centered in Jesus Christ,' Apostle says". Newsroom. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 7 May 2023. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  14. ^ a b c d Taylor, Scott (20 March 2023). "Take a look inside as the doors open to the Richmond Virginia Temple, Virginia's first: Tours begin with March 20 media day, as Church and project leaders talk about the temple's design and purpose". The Church News. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  15. ^ Walker, Sydney (29 August 2019). "Richmond Virginia Temple features colonial design — take a look at the renderings here". The Church News. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  16. ^ "Take a look inside as the doors open to the Richmond Virginia Temple, Virginia's first". Church News. 2023-03-20. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  17. ^ a b c "Richmond Virginia Temple Fact Sheet" (PDF). Newsroom. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  18. ^ a b "Take a look inside as the doors open to the Richmond Virginia Temple, Virginia's first". Church News. 2023-03-20. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  19. ^ "Presidents and Matrons of the Richmond Virginia Temple | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org". Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  20. ^ "Read about the new leaders of temples in Japan, Canada, Mexico and more". Church News. 2022-03-17. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  21. ^ "Virginia Governor Praises the 'Magnificent' Richmond Temple". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. 2023-03-20. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  22. ^ "President Dallin H. Oaks dedicates the Richmond Virginia Temple, saying 'Jesus Christ Himself is the chief cornerstone'". Church News. 2023-05-07. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  23. ^ "Inside Temples". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
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