View source for Seattle Washington Temple

{{Short description|Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bellevue, Washington}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{ LDS Temple/Seattle Washington Temple |format= Infobox LDS Temple }}
The '''Seattle Washington Temple''' (formerly the '''Seattle Temple''') is the 21st constructed and 19th operating [[Temple (LDS Church)|temple]] of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS Church). Located in the city of [[Bellevue, Washington|Bellevue]], east of [[Seattle]], it was the first to be built in the state of [[Washington (state)|Washington]].<ref name=millrun>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PKVfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SDIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4550%2C3026653 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |agency=Associated Press |title=New Mormon temple won't be run-of-the-mill church |date=August 9, 1980 |page=4B}}</ref> The temple has a [[Temple architecture (LDS Church)#Modern single-spire design|modern single-spire design]]. The intent to build the temple was announced on November 15, 1975. <ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Church News |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/ |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=Church News |language=en}}</ref>

Due to its proximity to the [[Bellevue Airfield]], the proposed height of the spire was reduced, and a red strobe warning light was installed at the base of the [[angel Moroni]] statue.<ref>{{citation |first= Richard O. |last= Cowan |title= Temples to Dot the Earth |location= Springville, Utah |publisher= Cedar Fort/CFI Distribution |year= 1997 |orig-year= 1989 |page= 178 |isbn= 155517339X |oclc= 52832719 }}</ref> The airfield closed in 1983, and the light was shut off.

==History==
The intent to construct the temple was announced on November 15, 1975, and it was dedicated five years later on November 17, 1980, by [[President of the Church (LDS Church)|church president]] [[Spencer W. Kimball]].<ref name=proera>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Z2VOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=S_kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6962%2C4337854 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington) |agency=Associated Press |title=Pro-ERA Mormons pledge to carry on |date=November 18, 1980 |page=6}}</ref> The temple was built on {{convert|23.5|acre}}, has four [[ordinance room]]s and 12 [[sealing room]]s, and a total floor area of {{convert|110000|sqft|m2}}.{{Cn|date=October 2022}}

A groundbreaking ceremony, marking the commencement of construction, took place on May 27, 1978, The ceremony was presided over by [[Marion G. Romney]] and attended by approximately 1,200 church members.<ref name=":0" />

To support the temple's construction, church members from across the temple district, including Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, raised funds. They donated over $3.2 million to aid in the building of the temple.<ref name=":0" />

In 2020, like all the church's other temples, the Seattle Washington Temple was closed for a time in response to the [[COVID-19 pandemic|coronavirus pandemic]].<ref>Whitehurst, Lindsay. [https://www.seattlepi.com/news/us/article/Summit-County-issues-stay-home-order-to-handle-15157506.php "Mormon church suspends temple activities over virus"], ''[[Seattle Post Intelligencer]]'', 25 March 2020. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.</ref>

== Design and architecture ==
The building has a modern design style, coupled with a traditional Latter-day Saint temple design. The architectural work was designed by [[Emil B. Fetzer]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2024-01-11 |title=Seattle Washington Temple |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2010/3/15/23228630/seattle-washington-temple/ |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=Church News |language=en}}</ref> The temple's architecture reflects both the cultural heritage of the Seattle region and the spiritual significance to the church.

=== Site ===
The temple sits on an 18.5-acre plot, and the landscaping around the temple features a recreation of Dennis Smith’s statue “In the Family Circle.”<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> These elements are designed to provide a tranquil setting to enhance the sacred atmosphere of the site.

=== Exterior ===
The structure stands five stories tall, constructed with reinforced concrete faced with white aggregate and cast stone.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nov 17, 1980, page 32 - The Salt Lake Tribune at Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/612904846/ |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref> The exterior is characterized by a single spire topped with a statue of the angel Moroni, elements which were each chosen for their symbolic significance and alignment with temple traditions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Seattle Washington Temple {{!}} ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org |url=https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/seattle-washington-temple/ |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}</ref> The design incorporates elements that are reflective of both the local culture and the broader church symbolism.

=== Interior ===
The interior features Czechoslovakian chandeliers throughout the temple.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Oct 12, 1980, page 40 - The News Tribune at Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/736360672/ |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref> Additionally, the temple’s “window and wall designs frequently incorporate reverse gothic arches with lines that bend out like tree branches.”<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Nov 17, 1980, page 32 - The Salt Lake Tribune at Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/612904846/ |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref> The focal point of the temple is the celestial room, which is designed to foster a spiritually uplifting environment. One journalist who visited during the open house described the celestial room as being “the most beautiful of all the areas…Carpeted in the palest gold, beautifully furnished and lighted by the most magnificent chandelier known to man, this place must be as close to heaven as any place on Earth.” <ref name=":2" /> 

=== Symbols ===
The design uses elements representing Latter-day Saint symbols, which provide deeper spiritual meaning to the temple's appearance and function. Symbolism is an important subject to church members. One example in the temple is the carpets, which begin as a dark brown color and slowly become lighter as one travels upward through the temple, until they are eventually a white color. This represents the spiritual journey of faithful church members.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oct 04, 1980, page 4 - The News Tribune at Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/736359071/ |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref> Another example of symbolism in the temple is the tree branch-like wall designs, which were intended as an homage to the Northwestern region of the United States where the temple is located.<ref name=":3" />

=== Cultural and community impact ===
The temple plays a role in both educating and spiritually uplifting the community of church members in Washington. The Seattle Family Discovery Center, which is located in a meetinghouse west of the temple grounds, acts as a comprehensive educational resource, providing both members and non-members with an in-depth understanding of the importance of [[FamilySearch Center|family history]] and genealogical research.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-11 |title=FamilySearch opens new Seattle Family Discovery Center |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2015/9/3/23213315/familysearch-opens-new-seattle-family-discovery-center/ |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=Church News |language=en}}</ref>

=== Temple presidents ===
The church's temples are directed by a [[temple president]] and matron, each generally serving for a term of three years. The president and matron oversee the administration of temple operations and provide guidance and training for both temple patrons and staff.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Presidents and Matrons of the Seattle Washington Temple {{!}} ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org |url=https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/seattle-washington-temple/presidents/ |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}</ref>

The first president of the Seattle Washington Temple was F. Arthur Kay, with the matron being Eunice N. Kay. They served from 1980 to 1984.<ref name=":4" /> As of 2024, Frank L. Pitcher is the president, with Sandra S. Pitcher serving as matron.<ref name=":4" />

=== Admittance ===
Following the completion of the temple, the church announced that a public open house would be held from October 7-November 8, 1980. (excluding Sundays). The temple was dedicated by Spencer W. Kimball in 13 sessions from November 17-21, 1980.<ref name=":0" /> Like all temples of the church, it is not used for [[Lord's Day|Sunday worship]] services. To members of the church, temples are regarded as sacred houses of the Lord. Once dedicated, only church members with a current [[temple recommend]] can enter for worship.<ref>{{Cite web |last=The Church of Jesus of Latter Day Saints |title=Inside Temples |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/inside-temples?lang=eng&lang=eng |access-date= |website=ChurchofJesusChrist.org}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|LDS Church}}
{{LDS Temple Map Group Washington}}
* [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Washington (state)|The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Washington]]
* [[Royden G. Derrick]], a former [[temple president]]
* [[Comparison of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]
* [[List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]
* [[List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by geographic region]]
* [[Temple architecture (Latter-day Saints)]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{commons category-inline|Seattle Washington Temple}}
* [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/details/seattle-washington-temple?lang=eng Seattle Washington Temple Official site]
* [https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/seattle-washington-temple/ Seattle Washington Temple] at ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20010413080641/http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Rhodes/5539/seattle.html  Seattle Washington Temple page with interior photos]

{{Bellevue, Washington}}
{{LDS-Temple-USA}}

[[Category:20th-century Latter Day Saint temples in the United States]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Bellevue, Washington]]
[[Category:Temples (LDS Church) completed in 1980]]
[[Category:Temples (LDS Church) in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:1980 establishments in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Religious buildings and structures in Seattle]]