LDS (Mormons): What is the most beatuiful temple that you have ever seen (in real life or a picture)?

Favorite Answer

Personally, I have a hard time choosing favorites on the temples. And those that are favorites are due to personal reasons.

The Salt Lake Temple - Everytime I am inside I am awed by the detailed workmanship in every room and corridor and love that obviously went into it's construction. To know what a hardship it was for the early Saints to build it, and to see how much love they put into it is very humbling.

Bountiful Temple - I recieved my endowments and was married to my husband in this temple. I love the beauty of the Celestial Room, and the clean, simple feel to the outside.

Ogden/Provo Temple - My mother, father, brother and I were sealed as a family in this temple after my parents recieved their endowments. I think this temple is very quirky on the outside, and love it for it's difference from other temples.

Cardston Alberta Temple - Cool for it's square look and columns in front. I also like the landscaping and look as you approach it.

I also love the Washington D.C. and San Diego temples purely for their architectural beauty....Show more

I think the most beautiful I have seen is the San Diego California Temple. A close second would be the Portland Oregon Temple followed by the Washington DC Temple. I also think the Salt Lake Temple is a classic as well....Show more

Yes, and even if I hadn't know what they stood for, I'd still have thought most of them (not a big fan of the one in Provo, UT) were unbelievably gorgeous. There's one in San Diego that looks exactly like an ice castle, and since the builders put some kind of ceramic in the walls, it literally sparkles when the sun hits it. The city actually had to put a wall of trees between the temple and the freeway, because so many people were slowing down to look at it that it was causing traffic accidents! They're even more beautiful inside, too. And of course they're supposed to be beautiful! One of the people who answered this complained about materialism, but you have to understand that the temples are the most sacred places we have. If we made them less than beautiful, it would almost be a sign of disrespect to God. We don't make them pretty just because we can--we do it because we're honoring God by giving Him the most beautiful building possible. And since our chapels tend to be very plain and utilitarian, it wouldn't have bothered me that we'd spend so much on a temple, especially since the members are the ones willingly donating the funds and labor anyway....Show more

To answer this question, I'm going to have to go with the temples that do the most sealings and that people actually want their picture taken in front of. I don't have any numbers, but I know that Salt Lake and San Diego do the most sealings per unit of time.

Personally, on my computer, I have the San Deigo temple screen saver and I just enjoy looking at it because it's so beautiful. I'm sure also that after I take out my endowments in about a month, I will have a greater appreciation for all of the temples especially the one in my own backyard (Denver Colorado)....Show more

I think San Diego is the most breath taking. I think the hidden gem is Palmyra. I only saw the televised dedication and web site pictures. The interior is perfect. There is a rare view to the outside (for a temple) over looking the sacred grove....Show more