The Washington DC Temple

of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

When the Church decided to build a temple in Washington DC they realized that such a building would be a symbol of the Church to the government of the United States and to the ambassadors of the world that lived and visited there. Therefore, the Church decided to build a monumental temple that would be instantly recognizable as a Mormon building. Since the Salt Lake Temple is the most recognized symbol of the Church, it was used as the basis for new, larger six spired temple. The resulting design stopped traffic on the Capitol Beltway until the locals became used to this shining white castle. The Washington Temple is the first temple since Los Angeles, and the last, to include an Assembly Hall.

The temple was announced in 1962.
Ground was broken and construction begun on 7 December 1968.
The cornerstone was laid in September 1974.
The temple was dedicated on 19-22 November 1974.
There are 14 Sealing rooms and 6 Ordinance rooms in the 160,000 square foot temple.
The tallest (east center) spire is 288 feet tall.
The Washington Temple serves stakes in most of the northeastern United States.

Pictures of the Interior:


The Baptistry.
Source: Ensign Magazine.

One of the fourteen Sealing rooms.
Source: San Diego Open House Brochure.

Another Sealing room.
Source: Ensign Magazine.


The Assembly room.
Source: Church News.

Rooms not Pictured:
12 Sealing Rooms
The 6 Ordinance Rooms
The Celestial Room

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