Mormon temple architecture and the spaces of ritual

Abstract

Temples are the most significant religious buildings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the early days of the church, temples were used for general worship and congregation. These temples represented the spiritual and physical heart of the communities in which they were built. As the theology of the church evolved, temples took on a more restricted function- the performance of sacred ordinances. Mormons believe that these ordinances are necessary to prepare individuals to return to the presence of God. In the church today the temple is seen as the pinnacle of a member's worship and to attend the temple a sign of one's commitment and worthiness. In this thesis I propose that, as the most significant structures built by the church, temples could be designed such that the form and arrangement of the ritual spaces reinforce to a greater degree the clarity of Mormon doctrine and the spiritual quality of the temple ordinances. In addition, the design of our temples could be more religiously symbolic and clear yet cultural ly neutral thus allowing for local design intervention and participation from the church's diverse membership. This thesis has been the vehicle to explore the possibilities of Mormon temple architecture. The final product is not a building model to be replicated en masse but rather the design of a building type that has the potential to inspire numerous variations. What is most important is that the spaces of ritual are clearly defined and meaningfully associated so that the temple patron can be taught and inspired in the House of the Lord.