Seattle Washington Temple |
19th operating temple |
Phone Number: 425-643-5144.
Site: 23.5 acres.
Exterior Finish: Reinforced concrete faced with white marble aggregate and cast stone.
Temple Design: Modern, single-spire design.
Number of Rooms: Four ordinance rooms and twelve sealing.
Total Floor Area: 110,000 square feet.
Groundbreaking and Site Dedication: 27 May 1978 by Marion G. Romney
Public Open House: 7 October–8 November 1980
Dedication: 17–21 November 1980 by Spencer W. Kimball
The Seattle Washington Temple is located off I-90 on a gently rising hill across from Bellevue Community College in Bellevue, Washington. The captivating landscaping that surrounds the temple features family-themed statues, a cascading water feature, and numerous brightly colored flowers, hedges, and trees. The site is surrounded by a grove of beautiful Washington evergreens.
The Seattle Washington Temple was the first temple built in the Pacific Northwest.
The Seattle Washington Temple was originally named the Seattle Temple.
The Seattle Washington Temple is one of five temples featuring an angel Moroni statue holding the gold plates. (The other four temples are the Los Angeles California Temple, Washington D.C. Temple, Jordan River Utah Temple, and México City México Temple.)
Because the Seattle Washington Temple would be situated near 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. When the airfield closed in 1983, the light was permanently shut off.
The construction of the Seattle Washington Temple was opposed by various anti-Mormon groups. During the temple dedication, one group of women even chained themselves to the front gates as a demonstration of their opposition to the Church's position on the Equal Rights Amendment.
The Seattle Washington Temple was the last temple dedicated by President Spencer W. Kimball, whose ailing health prompted him to call Elder Gordon B. Hinckley as a third counselor in the First Presidency in July 1981. Seventeen more temples would be dedicated under Pres. Kimball's presidency before his death in November 1985.