Salt Lake Temple Stone Symbols

The Salt Lake Temple

The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the international symbol of Mormonism.  To outsiders, it can be seen as a mysterious building of which little is known.  But this confusion concerning LDS beliefs is alleviated by understanding the meaning of the symbols in stone.  President George A. Smith said of the symbolism, "Every one conveys a moral lesson, and all point to the celestial world" (Printed on a Charles W. Carter photographic collage entitled 'Salt Lake City Temple in its different stages of construction,' Archives Division, Church Historical Department, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah).

An Earth Stone

The Earth Stones (50 in total) may not seem like much.  Originally they were to be carved with images of Earth and the seven continents, but the granite used in construction was not capable of such minute detail.

A Moon Stone

The Moon Stones (50 in number) show the 1878 lunar cycle.  From the June 1978 New Era we learn that there are 13 New Moons, 13 First Quarters, 12 Full Moons, and 12 Last Quarters.  The Moon Stones symbolize the Terrestrial Kingdom (see D&C 76:71-80).

Two Sun Stones

The Sun Stones (50 total) represent the Celestial Kingdom.  Revelation gives us greater insight into this kingdom.  It is written, "In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees; And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage]; And if he does not, he cannot obtain it.  He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase. (D&C 131:1-4)"

A Star Stone

 The Star Stones (I am not sure how many there are; if one knows, please enlighten me).  The Star Stones represent the Telestial Kingdom of God, of which revelation states, 

And again, we saw the glory of the telestial, which glory is that of the lesser, even as the glory of the stars differs from that of th+e glory of the moon in the firmament.  These are they who received not the gospel of Christ, neither the testimony of Jesus.  These are they who deny not the Holy Spirit.  These are they who are thrust down to hell.  These are they who shall not be redeemed from the devil until the last resurrection, until the Lord, even Christ the Lamb, shall have finished his work. (D&C 76:81-85)

The Hand Clasp

 The Hand Clasp is probably the most symbolically rich carving seen on the exterior walls of the House of the Lord.  Paul says in Galatians 2:9, "And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship . . ."  Jeremiah writes, "the covenant . . . I made with their fathers in . . . that I took them by the hand . . . (Jeremiah 31:32)"  The scroll above the Hand Clasp says,"I am Alpha and Omega", which is a Title held by Jesus the Christ.

The All-Seeing Eye

The All-Seeing Eye symbolizes the infinite knowledge of God, as spoken of by Nephi's brother Jacob, when he says that the people are being examined "under the glance of the piercing eye of the Almighty God. (Jacob 2:10)"  He later states, "O that he [God] would show you that he can pierce you, and with one glance of his eye he can smite you to the dust! (Jacob 2:15)"

The Big Dipper

The symbolism of Ursa Major is spoken of by President Gordon B. Hinckley.  At the April 2002 General Conference, he said, "Like the polar star in the heavens, regardless of what the future holds, there stands the Redeemer of the world, the Son of God, certain and sure as the anchor of our immortal lives."  Truman O. Angell, Sr., the Church Architect and designer of the symbols, spoke of Ursa Major as the lost finding themselves through the Priesthood (Deseret News, 17 Aug. 1854).

The Cloud Stones

The Cloud Stones represent the Presence of God and His divine protection.  "And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord, So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord. (1 Kings 8:10-11)"

I love the Salt Lake Temple.  Whenever I am down in Salt Lake City, I love to go to the Temple grounds and admire the stonework.  I know that the ordinances in the House of the Lord are necessary to live with God again.  If we do not obtain them, we cannot live with Him again.  I say this in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ, amen!

Nauvoo Temple Stone Symbols

There are many symbols carved in stone on the exterior walls of the Nauvoo Temple.  We will examine some of them here and discuss the interpretation thereof.

The Pentagram is the most attacked symbol of Mormonism by the anti-Mormons.  The anti-Mormons claim that it is a Satanic symbol.  However, according to geometry in action, it is not.  The Pentagram symbolizes both mathematical perfection and eternity.  Here is why:

The Pentagrams are the two colorful stained-glass stars

When one draws a Pentagram over and over within the Pentagon constructed in the middle of a 5/2 Pentagram, the image of a geometrically perfect star goes on forever, alternating between upside-down and right-side up.

The Six-Pointed Star is symbolic of the stars in the Heavens and as a symbol of the Telestial Kingdom.  The Vision of the Prophet reads,

"And again, we saw the glory of the telestial, which glory is that of the lesser, even as the glory of the stars differs from that of the glory of the moon in the firmament.  These are they who received not the gospel of Christ, neither the testimony of Jesus.  These are they who deny not the Holy Spirit.  These are they who are thrust down to hell.  These are they who shall not be redeemed from the devil until the last resurrection, until the Lord, even Christ the Lamb, shall have finished his work (D&C 76:81-85)."

The Morning Star is symbolic of Jesus Christ, due to the fact that in Revelation 22:16, wherein Christ saith, "I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star."

The Morning Star is the upside-down star with the elongated tail just above the Sunstone

The Moonstones symbolize the Terrestrial Kingdom, of which the Vision says,

"And again, we saw the terrestrial world, and behold and lo, these are they who are of the terrestrial, whose glory differs from that of the church of the Firstborn who have received the fulness of the Father, even as that of the moon differs from the sun in the firmament.  Behold, these are they who died without law; And also they who are the spirits of men kept in prison, whom the Son visited, and preached the gospel unto them, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh; Who received not the testimony of Jesus in the flesh, but afterwards received it.  These are they who are honorable men of the earth, who were blinded by the craftiness of men.  These are they who receive of his glory, but not of his fulness.  These are they who receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fulness of the Father.  Wherefore, they are bodies terrestrial, and not bodies celestial, and differ in glory as the moon differs from the sun.  These are they who are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus; wherefore, they obtain not the crown over the kingdom of our God (D&C 76:71-79)."

The Sunstones symbolize the Celestial Kingdom of God, where God and Christ dwell, where families are united eternally, and where exaltation is awarded to those who are faithful.  It is filled only with members of The Church of Jesus Christ, whether they joined the Church in mortality or afterward received the Gospel, having not the opportunity to accept thereof while on earth. (see D&C 76:50-70; 137)"

I hope this article not only increases your knowledge of the Nauvoo Temple, but also of the Restored Gospel, administered only within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.