Atlanta Georgia Temple |
21st operating temple; closed for renovation; anticipated to reopen in late 2010 or early 2011 |
Phone Number: 770-393-3698.
Site: 5.9 acres.
Exterior Finish: Pre-cast stone walls and a built-up roof.
Temple Design: Modern, single-spire design.
Number of Rooms: Four ordinance rooms and five sealing.
Total Floor Area: 35,360 square feet.
Groundbreaking and Site Dedication: 7 March 1981 by Spencer W. Kimball
Public Open House: 3–21 May 1983
Dedication: 1–4 June 1983 by Gordon B. Hinckley
Rededication: 14 November 1997 by Gordon B. Hinckley (baptistry only)
The Atlanta Georgia Temple is undergoing a complete remodel of the interior. It is anticipated to reopen in late 2010 or early 2011.
Located on the north side of the Atlanta metro area, the Atlanta Georgia Temple stands just west of the Turner McDonald Parkway on a gentle hillside in the community of Sandy Springs. Highlighting the holy structure is wall of heavenly stained glass that softly glows at night beneath the temple's single spire. The rolling lawn and meticulous grounds offer a spiritual refuge to all who visit.
The Atlanta Georgia Temple was the first temple built in the Southeastern United States.
The Atlanta Georgia Temple was the first temple dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley, who went on to dedicate or rededicate 97 other temples.
The Atlanta Georgia Temple was originally named the Atlanta Temple.
The original design for the Atlanta Georgia Temple fell short of "Mormon Temple" status in the eyes of a Faith & Values reviewer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, who noted the absence of a spire and gold angel. Church Public Affairs Director for Atlanta, Donald Conkey, forwarded the review to the First Presidency. A short time later, on January 10, 1982, church architect Emil B. Fetzer announced revised plans for the temple, which commenced a tradition of including a spire and angel Moroni on every successive Latter-day Saint temple.
The angel Moroni statue atop the Atlanta Georgia Temple is one of two castings made by LaVar Wallgren of the statue created by Torlief Knaphus for the Washington D.C. Ward chapel, which he made as a replica of Cyrus E. Dallin's statue atop the Salt Lake Temple. (The other casting is atop the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple.)
Much opposition was met to the building of the Atlanta Georgia Temple including a protest march down Atlanta's Peachtree Street. When protestors arrived at the temple on dedication day, the governor—who had been invited to attend—ordered a police escort of demonstrators away from the property. He assured President Hinckley that he would not be a Governor Boggs (the governor who ordered the extermination of Mormons in the state of Missouri in 1838).
At the dedication of the Atlanta Georgia Temple, President Hinckley promised that the baptistry would one day be enlarged. That promise was fulfilled 14 years later when a renovation project enlarged the baptistry, added offices, and remodeled the waiting rooms. President Hinckley himself returned to the temple to dedicate the baptistry addition.
