Uniformity of Mormon Sacred Architecture

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Earlier in the year I had the opportunity to visit the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sites in Palmyra, New York, where the LDS chuch originated. Joseph Smith, of course, lived in Palmyra, and his homestead, there, is the site of his alleged apparitions and revelations.

One of the sites I visited was the temple, which is adjacent to the “Sacred Grove”, where Smith allegedly received his visions. The temple was a very attractive, single-story building made of white stone, surrounded by immaculate landscaping. I’m not sure how one would classify the architecture; I can only describe it as looking like a cross between a sacred building and a Federal Reserve branch. On top of the temple was a tall white stone pedestal topped by a gilded angel blowing a trumpet: the image is featured on all LDS temples.

One couldn’t get inside the temple, however, so after my visit to Palmyra I did some research online and discovered, to my surprise, that this temple was by no means unique. In fact, there are 42 other LDS temples throughout the world that were built according to the exact same design! And of those that do feature a unique design, the design cues employed still have a universality about them that make all LDS temples look more similar than different. They all have that sort of white, wedding-cake look about them (I mean no offense by my description, incidentally).

Is there a philosophy behind this style of architecture? And has it got a name?
 
In any case, I’d have to say that many of the LDS temples are pleasant to the eye, particularly in comparison to the unattractive nature of some modern Catholic churches where the architects were probably on some incredibly potent hallucinogen, creating works that are (IMHO) hardly glorifying to God.

Author Michael S. Rose has written a book called (appropriately) Ugly As Sin, which talks about the sad state of Catholic church architecture in some places. We could (re)learn a thing or two from LDS in this area at the moment.

My church doesn’t suffer from bad architecture, in or out. I’ll be married in it in two months.
 
Pregustator said:
Earlier in the year I had the opportunity to visit the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sites in Palmyra, New York, where the LDS Church originated. Joseph Smith, of course, lived in Palmyra, and his homestead, there, is the site of his alleged apparitions and revelations.

One of the sites I visited was the temple, which is adjacent to the “Sacred Grove”, where Smith allegedly received his visions. The temple was a very attractive, single-story building made of white stone, surrounded by immaculate landscaping. I’m not sure how one would classify the architecture; I can only describe it as looking like a cross between a sacred building and a Federal Reserve branch. On top of the temple was a tall white stone pedestal topped by a gilded angel blowing a trumpet: the image is featured on all LDS temples.

One couldn’t get inside the temple, however, so after my visit to Palmyra I did some research online and discovered, to my surprise, that this temple was by no means unique. In fact, there are 42 other LDS temples throughout the world that were built according to the exact same design! And of those that do feature a unique design, the design cues employed still have a universality about them that make all LDS temples look more similar than different. They all have that sort of white, wedding-cake look about them (I mean no offense by my description, incidentally).

Is there a philosophy behind this style of architecture? And has it got a name?
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From a strictly personal opinion here, I think…it’s because we have beauty as a priority, but it’s not THE priority. We want our Temples to be as beautiful as they can be within the confines of the reason we build them…and given the reason we build them, it’s more important to us to have more of them than it is to have one diamond.

As well, the church is rather strict about the finances; we don’t dedicate anything that isn’t completely paid for. No mortgages on any of our buildings, period.

So…if it is a choice between having one incredibly gorgeous, unique edifice in one place, or having three slightly less unique…and slightly less extravagantly beautiful…Temples in places where they are needed, the choice is easy. After all, the beauty, we believe, is what we do there, not what other people think of the architecture.

Still, we manage to have beautiful Temples anyway.
 
In any case, I’d have to say that many of the LDS temples are pleasant to the eye, particularly in comparison to the unattractive nature of some modern Catholic churches where the architects were probably on some incredibly potent hallucinogen, creating works that are (IMHO) hardly glorifying to God.
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Author Michael S. Rose has written a book called (appropriately) Ugly As Sin, which talks about the sad state of Catholic church architecture in some places. We could (re)learn a thing or two from LDS in this area at the moment.
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Amen, Spencerian. The LDS temples–even the 42 of them that look exactly the same–are exquisitely beautiful and really do put so many modern Catholic churches to utter shame, I’m sorry to say.

In my diocese, the grand and beautiful gothic and romanesque churches of the urban areas have mostly been closed and sold since the 1970s, following upon the flight of worshippers to the suburbs. In the burbs, however, the diocese is still building new churches, and for the past 15 years or so, each new one seems to look more uninspiring than the last. Now granted, we’ve emerged from the crazy modern period, but the contemporary church architecture trends–while not leaving us with wild buildings that resemble space ships and the like any longer–still leave a great deal to be desired.

Along the New York State Thruway one will find rest stops featuring fast food restaurants, lavatories, &c. Disturbingly, our new suburban churches very much resemble these buildings. Now, they make beautiful highway rest stops, but what one wants in a rest stop, one doesn’t want in a Roman Catholic church, of course. We call them “McChurches”, here in Buffalo.

If we are transitioning into an age of “one design fits all” for new churches, might we not, indeed, do as the LDS do and at least make sure that one design is a beautiful one?

If I were bishop of my diocese, the first thing I’d buy would be a bulldozer.
 
Pregustator said:
Amen, Spencerian. The LDS temples–even the 42 of them that look exactly the same–are exquisitely beautiful and really do put so many modern Catholic churches to utter shame, I’m sorry to say.

In my diocese, the grand and beautiful gothic and romanesque churches of the urban areas have mostly been closed and sold since the 1970s, following upon the flight of worshippers to the suburbs. In the burbs, however, the diocese is still building new churches, and for the past 15 years or so, each new one seems to look more uninspiring than the last. Now granted, we’ve emerged from the crazy modern period, but the contemporary church architecture trends–while not leaving us with wild buildings that resemble space ships and the like any longer–still leave a great deal to be desired.

Along the New York State Thruway one will find rest stops featuring fast food restaurants, lavatories, &c. Disturbingly, our new suburban churches very much resemble these buildings. Now, they make beautiful highway rest stops, but what one wants in a rest stop, one doesn’t want in a Roman Catholic church, of course. We call them “McChurches”, here in Buffalo.

If we are transitioning into an age of “one design fits all” for new churches, might we not, indeed, do as the LDS do and at least make sure that one design is a beautiful one?

If I were bishop of my diocese, the first thing I’d buy would be a bulldozer.
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It is funny how we can find shortcomings in even our most beloved churches. Thank you for sharing. I must admit that I am not fond of modern architecture regardless of where it is found. I am still partial to the grand old cathedrals and few church buildings can compare to them in both beauty and grace.

Of course, there are those days when camping when you wake early in the morning when the mist is just clearning in the valley and you look up at beautiful rock-faced mountains. The trees are dressed in their best fall colors and the stream runs clear and pure over stones well rounded from the constant passage of water. That is a cathedral that is glorious to behold.

From your lips to God’s ears and may all organized Christain churchese come to an understanding that it is good to observe the better examples of their brothers and sisters.
 
You also need to remember that only LDS members with temple recommends are allowed in their beautiful temples after they are dedicated…no one else. Whereas anyone can walk into a Catholic Church even if you aren’t Catholic. In other words, you can attend a Catholic wedding if you aren’t Catholic…if you aren’t LDS you are NOT allowed in the temple period…and it doesn’t matter if it’s your son or daughter. They are being sealed and it isn’t at all like a Christian wedding ceremony…LDS weddings aren’t a special day for the couple, many couples go through the temple on the same day. Also Catholic Churches are not used to baptize deceased people. Their temples are used for endowments, dead dunking etc…your average Christian Churches aren’t used for these activities…Also remember Catholic Churches where I live have daily masses…and at least two on Saturday and four on Sunday. LDS temples are not used the same way…Our churches are used for all the activities of the Parish. If they aren’t Gothic or beautiful in your eyes, it does nothing to diminish the fact that this is where Catholics receive the body and blood of Christ every time they attend Mass…It’s not the outside that truly counts it is what happens inside every time a priest celebrates Mass that’s important. Think about it.

stormy
 
I also forgot to add the uniformity of their temples corresponds to the way the LDS church wants their members to be…uniform through out…it goes hand in hand.

stormy
 
Here is the best site for LDS Temples. There are I believe 153 of them including one planned for Roma!

I am a temple worker and officiate all of the ordinances except sealings I love the Temple.

ldschurchtemples.com/
 
If they aren’t Gothic or beautiful in your eyes, it does nothing to diminish the fact that this is where Catholics receive the body and blood of Christ every time they attend Mass…It’s not the outside that truly counts it is what happens inside every time a priest celebrates Mass that’s important. Think about it.
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A bit beside the point, really. Once upon a time there was a design philosophy with respect to the architecture of churches–not just Catholic churches, of course–that said a worship space ought to be truly beautiful insofar as the purpose was not merely to provide a roof over the place where the sacrifice is offered, but to give glory to God and to inspire worshippers to lift their minds and hearts to God.

The church–at least a Catholic church–is meant to be a place of ritual, of ceremony, of public worship, and that would seem to imply a singularly worthy and dignified worship space; one designed to enhance the celebrations that occur within its walls.

I understand the differences between Catholic and Mormon worship and service, but if we believe our worship to be the proper and authentic form of Christian worship, should we not create our contemporary worship spaces with at least as much care as they do? Obviously, the Mormons treat very seriously the rituals which they perform in their temples. And the fact that they do is clearly demonstrated by the beauty of their worship edifices.

The same always used to be true of the Roman Catholic Church. But somewhere along the line, our sense of the magnificent (and even of the appropriate) got sidetracked, somehow, and our beautiful temples became replaced by uninspiring (or even downright hideous) buildings that inspire nobody to anything.

Now, I don’t want to say that contemporary architecture cannot be well-executed or even beautiful; of course it can be. But it seldom is, in the case of Catholic churches. I think, as has been suggested here, that we Catholics would do well–with respect to our sacred architecture–to take cues from other religions which do not compromise when it comes to erecting beautiful and worth sacred spaces. As far as I can see, the Mormons present a good example, in that regard.
 
stormy99 said:
You also need to remember that only LDS members with temple recommends are allowed in their beautiful temples after they are dedicated…no one else.
stormy
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Very true. But you can walk through them during public open periods prior to dedication. They are interesting and attractive. Except for Ogden, I always thought that one was an eyesore.
 
You aren’t getting it…LDS temples are not for every day Mormons…temple workers etc yes…most Mormons do not go into their own temples. Their church activities are held in pretty drab builings through out the world. I know I’ve been in them…now even more so since they have to do their own cleaning…no paid help…probably in the temples but not the other buildings.

Sure we should all worship somewhere as beautiful as the churches in Italy…but to say they are eye sores and not beautiful on the inside…I don’t think so…what do you need to be inside your church? Are your eyes gazing around or are you concentrating on the crucifix and it’s meaning…??

If I want that even Sunday, I’ll just head up to Holy Name in Chicago…meanwhile our parish church is beautiful…

stormy

It’s all about priorities
 
Temples are for everyday Mormons, there are plenty of Members that do not go but the Temple is for everyday Mormons.

The temple is also cleaned by volunteers as well.

Our standard buildings are pretty boring no doubt unless you like to shoot some hoops while in church.
 
I understand the kitchens are nicely equipped for canning and other cooking activities by the Relief Society?
 
Pregustator said:
Is there a philosophy behind this style of architecture? And has it got a name?
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The Philosophy is called “inexpensive”. The name given by the few LDS that have a sense of humor is “McTemples”. There are some very large and ornate multi-story temples (SLC, Los Angeles, San Diego, Washington DC are a few I have been to). The smaller ones (Provo, UT comes to mind) all seem to be built from a common pattern.
 
PeanutBono said:
Temples are for everyday Mormons, there are plenty of Members that do not go but the Temple is for everyday Mormons.

Every day members who hold temple recommends…which means they have paid in full their tithing…had their conference with their bishop etc…otherwise every day Mormons are not allowed in their own temples…Is not this true?

Even the poorest Catholic is allowed in their church…whether they can give a dollar or more or nothing at all…not so in the LDS…am I correct?

The temple is also cleaned by volunteers as well.

Our standard buildings are pretty boring no doubt unless you like to shoot some hoops while in church.
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That’s funny but so true…don’t think your bishop would like hoops while in church…

stormy
 
PaulDupre said:
The Philosophy is called “inexpensive”. The name given by the few LDS that have a sense of humor is “McTemples”. There are some very large and ornate multi-story temples (SLC, Los Angeles, San Diego, Washington DC are a few I have been to). The smaller ones (Provo, UT comes to mind) all seem to be built from a common pattern.
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Both Provo and Ogden are ugly, but they are the only two built like this aren’t they?
 
stormy99 said:
You also need to remember that only LDS members with temple recommends are allowed in their beautiful temples after they are dedicated…no one else. Whereas anyone can walk into a Catholic Church even if you aren’t Catholic. In other words, you can attend a Catholic wedding if you aren’t Catholic…if you aren’t LDS you are NOT allowed in the temple period…
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Got to pay that money if you want in the temple. Pretty temples on the outside does not hide the Mason ceremonies on the inside.

You will find Catholic churches everywhere, including in the middle of cities. LDS temples tho are in the nice neighborhoods away from the crime and poor people.
 
Personally I find the big Catholic churches to be nice looking. I would say “true” looking that holds great truths, open to one and all.
 
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