Orlando Florida Temple

The intent to construct the temple was announced on February 17, 1990, with a groundbreaking on June 20, 1992, conducted by James E. Faust.{{Cite web |title=Orlando Florida Temple |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/almanac/temples/orlando-florida/ |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Church News |language=en}} The temple was dedicated on October 9, 1994, by church president Howard W. Hunter.Davis, James D. [https://www.news-journalonline.com/article/LK/20120707/News/605060898/DN/ "The Look of Mormon: Religious group multiplies -- and diversifies"], Daytona Beach News Journal, Florida, 7 July 2012. Retrieved on 10 August 2019. Orlando is one of two temples dedicated by Hunter, the other is the Bountiful Utah Temple. The temple was built on a {{convert|13|acre|m2|adj=on}} plot, has four ordinance rooms and five sealing rooms, and has a total floor area of {{convert|70000|sqft|m2}}.

In 2020, like all the others in the church, the Orlando Florida Temple was closed for a time 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.

On February 12, 2024, the church announced that the temple would close for renovations.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-12 |title=Orlando Florida Temple to close in July 2024 for extensive renovations |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2024/2/12/24067137/orlando-florida-temple-renovation-closure-july-2024-first-presidency-announces/ |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Church News |language=en}} The temple closed on July 1, 2024,{{Cite web |date=2024-07-01 |title=One temple closes for renovations, another set to reopen after renovations |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2024/07/01/temple-renovations-orlando-florida-closed-toronto-ontario-reopening/ |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Church News |language=en}} and is anticipated to reopen in June 2026.{{Cite web |title=Orlando Florida Temple |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/details/orlando-florida-temple?lang=eng |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=www.churchofjesuschrist.org}}

The building has a traditional Latter-day Saint temple design. The temple sits on a 13-acre plot, and the landscaping around the temple includes water features, palm trees, and shrubs. These elements are designed to provide a tranquil setting that enhances the sacred atmosphere of the site. The Orlando Florida Temple closed for renovations on July 1, 2024, and is expected to reopen in June 2026.

The structure is constructed with white precast concrete with marble chips.{{Cite web |title=Orlando Florida Temple |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/orlando-florida-temple |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}} The exterior has a tower that tops the building, and tall, arched windows around it. The temple includes a baptistry, a celestial room, four ordinance rooms, and five sealing rooms, each arranged for ceremonial use.

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 Orlando Florida Temple {{!}} ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org |url=https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/orlando-florida-temple/presidents/ |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}

The first president of the Orlando Florida Temple was Jack F. Joyner, with the matron being Margaret E. Joyner. They served from 1994 to 1997. Prior to the temple's closing for renovation in July 2024, Brent R. Holladay was the president, with Dana Holladay serving as matron.

Following the completion of the temple, a public open house was held from September 10-30, 1994 (excluding Sundays). During the open house, over 90,000 people toured the temple.{{Cite web |date=1994-10-01 |title=90,000 tour temple; give glowing reports |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/1994/10/1/23256462/90-000-tour-temple-give-glowing-reports/ |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Church News |language=en}} The temple was dedicated by Howard W. Hunter in 12 sessions from October 9-11, 1994.{{Cite web |date=1994-10-15 |title=Temple is dedicated in Sunshine State; 20,670 attend sessions |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/1994/10/15/23256401/temple-is-dedicated-in-sunshine-state-20-670-attend-sessions/ |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Church News |language=en}} Like all the church's temples, it is not used for 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.{{Cite web |title=Inside Temples |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/inside-temples?lang=eng&lang=eng |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=www.churchofjesuschrist.org}}

File:Orlando Temple Nativity.jpg|Nativity displayed on the temple grounds, December 2008

File:Orlando Temple 2007.jpg|View of southern side of temple

File:Orlando Temple Groundbreaking.jpg|James E. Faust and Alexander B. Morrison at the Orlando Temple groundbreaking

File:Orlando_Florida_Temple_at_sunrise.jpg|Orlando Florida Temple at sunrise

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• 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)
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Florida

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{{commons category|Orlando Florida Temple}}

• {{official website|1=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/details/orlando-florida-temple?lang=eng}}
• [https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/orlando-florida-temple/ Orlando Florida Temple] at ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org

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Category:Temples (LDS Church) in Florida

Category:Buildings and structures in Orlando, Florida

Category:Christianity in Orlando, Florida

Category:Temples (LDS Church) completed in 1994

Category:1994 establishments in Florida

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