Boston Massachusetts Temple

The Boston Massachusetts Temple is located in the suburb of Belmont, Massachusetts and was dedicated on October 1, 2000. When church president Hinckley announced the building of smaller temples in April 1998, he also spoke of a goal to have 100 temples built by the end of 2000.{{Cite web |last=Hinckley |first=President Gordon B. Hinckley President of the Church ImagePresident Gordon B. |title=New Temples to Provide “Crowning Blessings” of the Gospel |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1998/04/new-temples-to-provide-crowning-blessings-of-the-gospel?lang=eng&id=p9#p9 |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=www.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}} The Boston Massachusetts Temple marked the completion of that goal.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-11 |title=Boston temple to become 100th edifice |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2000/7/22/23246106/boston-temple-to-become-100th-edifice/ |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=Church News |language=en}}

Richard G. Scott presided over the groundbreaking on June 13, 1997, and the building was completed three years later. About 82,600 visitors toured the temple during an open house prior to its dedication. A local radio station and newspaper working together produced the first on-line tours of a temple. It included narration accompanied by photographs of the temple's interior.{{cn|date=August 2024}}

Because of a lawsuit filed by neighbors of the temple site,{{cite news |title=LA Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-jan-01-mn-49638-story.html}} the temple was dedicated without the planned steeple. Hinckley remained optimistic and said the temple work would commence with or without a steeple. The Supreme Court of Massachusetts ruled in favor of the church the following May. Previously, a judge had ruled that the building's steeple was not a "necessary element of the Mormon religion." Therefore, under the law the building height limit could be enforced. But the Supreme Court overruled the earlier ruling saying, "A rose window at Notre Dame Cathedral, a balcony at St. Peter's Basilica, are judges to decide whether these architectural elements are 'necessary' to the faith served by those buildings?" The judges concluded that, "It is not for judges to determine whether the inclusion of a particular architectural feature is 'necessary' for a particular religion."Larsen, Kent. [http://www.mormonstoday.com/010518/D1BostonTemple01.shtml "Boston Temple Steeple Oked."] Mormon News May 16, 2001 On September 21, 2001, the steeple, including the angel Moroni statue was set in place, completing the temple.{{Cite web |title=After Two Decades Of Wind and Weather, Boston Temple Replaces Its Angel |url=http://belmontonian.com/news/after-two-decades-of-wind-and-weather-boston-temple-replaces-its-angel/ |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=belmontonian.com}}

The Boston Massachusetts Temple is large relative to many other Latter-day Saint temples, with a total of {{convert|69600|sqft|m2}}, four ordinance rooms, and four sealing rooms. The exterior is finished with olympia white granite.

In 2020, like all the others in the church, the Boston Massachusetts Temple was closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.Stack, Peggy Fletcher. [https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2020/03/26/all-latter-day-saint/ "All Latter-day Saint temples to close due to coronavirus"], The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 March 2020. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.

{{stack|{{LDS Temple Map US NE}}}}

The building has a classic New England-inspired architectural style, coupled with a traditional Latter-day Saint temple design. The temple's architecture reflects both the cultural heritage of the Boston area and the spiritual significance to the church.

The temple sits on an 8-acre plot, and the landscaping around the temple features trees and walking paths. These elements are designed to provide a tranquil setting that enhances the sacred atmosphere of the site.

The structure stands 139 feet tall, constructed with Olympia white granite. The exterior includes a single spire topped with a statue of the angel Moroni, chosen for their symbolism and consistent with temple traditions. The exterior also features blue stained-glass windows. The design includes elements that reflect both local culture and church symbolism. {{Cite web |title=After Two Decades Of Wind and Weather, Boston Temple Replaces Its Angel |url=http://belmontonian.com/news/after-two-decades-of-wind-and-weather-boston-temple-replaces-its-angel/ |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=belmontonian.com}}

The interior design has a classic New England style and color scheme, with “light carpet and marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and finely crafted, light-colored woodwork.” The temple is centered around the baptistry, which is designed to foster a spiritually uplifting environment. In addition to the baptistry, the temple includes four ordinance rooms, four sealing rooms, and a celestial room, each arranged for ceremonial use.

The design has elements representing Latter-day Saint symbolism to provide spiritual meaning to the temple's appearance and function. Symbolism is an important subject to church members, including the steeple. In an interview with the Boston Globe, Gordon B. Hinckley said that the temple’s steeple “represents an upward reach to heaven. It carries with it the spirit and attitude of looking heavenward.”

The church's temples are directed by a temple president and matron, each 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.{{Cite web |title=Presidents and Matrons of the Boston Massachusetts Temple {{!}} ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org |url=https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/boston-massachusetts-temple/presidents/ |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}

The first president of the Boston Massachusetts Temple was Loren C. Dunn, with the matron being Sharon L. Dunn. They served from 2000 to 2001. As of 2024, Lee R. LaPierre is the president, with Dorothy U. LaPierre serving as matron. Other notable presidents include Robert S. Wood (2009–12) and Steven C. Wheelwright (2015–2018).

Upon completion of the temple, the church announced that a public open house would be held from August 23-September 29, 2000 (excluding Sundays). Around 72,000 people visited the temple during the open house. The temple was dedicated by Gordon B. Hinckley in four sessions on October 1, 2000. Like all the church's temples, it is not used for Sunday worship services.{{Cite web |title=Sep 02, 2000, page 18 - The Boston Globe at Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/442225431/?match=1&terms=mormon%20temple |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Inside Temple |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/inside-temples?lang=eng&lang=eng |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=www.churchofjesuschrist.org}}

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• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Massachusetts

{{Reflist}}

• {{citation |url= https://www.thechurchnews.com/archive/1997-06-21/ground-broken-for-boston-temple-12579 |title= Ground broken for Boston temple |date= June 21, 1997 |newspaper= Church News }}
• {{citation |url= https://www.thechurchnews.com/archive/2000-03-04/superior-court-rules-on-steeple-for-new-temple-in-boston-17173 |title= Superior court rules on steeple for new temple in Boston |date= March 4, 2000 |newspaper= Church News }}
• {{citation |url= https://www.thechurchnews.com/archive/2000-07-22/boston-temple-to-become-100th-edifice-18060 |title= Boston temple to become 100th edifice |first= Shaun |last= Stahle |date= July 22, 2000 |newspaper= Church News }}
• {{citation |url= https://www.thechurchnews.com/archive/2000-09-09/construction-doesnt-deter-boston-temple-open-house-18304 |title= Construction doesn't deter Boston temple open house |date= September 9, 2000 |newspaper= Church News }}
• {{citation |url= https://www.thechurchnews.com/archive/2000-09-23/boston-temple-will-be-ready-for-dedication-151-as-no-100-18386 |title= Boston temple will be ready for dedication — as No. 100 |first= Shaun D. |last= Stahle |date= September 23, 2000 |newspaper= Church News }}
• {{citation |url= https://www.thechurchnews.com/archive/2000-10-07/this-has-been-a-banner-year-18475 |title= 'This has been a banner year' |first= Shaun D. |last= Stahle |date= October 7, 2000 |newspaper= Church News }}
• {{citation |url= https://www.thechurchnews.com/archive/2000-10-07/boston-massachusetts-we-dedicate-it-as-being-complete-18480 |title= Boston Massachusetts: 'We dedicate it as being complete' |date= October 7, 2000 |newspaper= Church News }}
• {{citation |url= https://www.thechurchnews.com/archive/2000-10-07/boston-massachusetts-temple-facts-and-figures-18476 |title= Facts and figures; Boston Massachusetts Temple |date= October 7, 2000 |newspaper= Church News }}
• {{citation |url= https://www.thechurchnews.com/archive/2000-10-14/sacred-roots-heritage-combine-in-100th-temple-18535 |title= Sacred roots, heritage combine in 100th temple |date= October 14, 2000 |newspaper= Church News }}
• {{citation |url= https://www.thechurchnews.com/archive/2001-01-13/court-upholds-boston-temple-zoning-case-19043 |title= Court upholds Boston temple zoning case |first= Shaun D. |last= Stahle |date= January 13, 2001 |newspaper= Church News }}
• {{citation |url= https://www.thechurchnews.com/archive/2010-02-02/united-states-information-massachusetts-35031 |title= United States information: Massachusetts |date= February 2, 2010 |newspaper= Church News }}

• [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/list?lang=eng Official Boston Massachusetts Temple page]
• [https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/boston-massachusetts-temple/ Boston Massachusetts Temple] at ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070219003514/http://www.gbrowndesign.com/projects/institutional/boston%20_temple.html G Brown Design, Inc., Site and Landscape Architectural firm for this temple]
• [http://www.freedomforum.org/templates/document.asp?documentID=8831 Suburban Bostonians try to halt completion of Mormon temple - The Associated Press] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061201121554/http://www.freedomforum.org/templates/document.asp?documentID=8831 |date=December 1, 2006 }}
• [http://www.mormonstoday.com/subjects/BostonTemple.shtml Links to many news stories about the controversies dealing with the construction of this temple]
• {{Caselaw source |case= Martin v. The Corporation of the Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 434 Mass. 141 (2001) |findlaw= https://caselaw.findlaw.com/ma-supreme-judicial-court/1194020.html }}

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Category:20th-century Latter Day Saint temples in the United States

Category:Belmont, Massachusetts

Category:Religious buildings and structures in Boston

Category:Temples (LDS Church) completed in 2000

Category:Temples (LDS Church) in Massachusetts

Category:2000 establishments in Massachusetts

Category:Mormonism-related controversies

Category:Buildings and structures in Middlesex County, Massachusetts