Washington D.C. Temple

The plan to build the temple was announced on November 15, 1968, by church president David O. McKay. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on December 7,{{cite web |year=2011 |title=Washington DC Info |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/list?lang=eng |access-date=October 29, 2024 |work=churchofjesuschrist.org |publisher=}}{{Cite journal |year=2015 |title=WRITTEN HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE DATA |url=https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/master/pnp/habshaer/dc/dc0500/dc0586/data/dc0586data.pdf |journal=Historic American Buildings Survey |access-date=October 29, 2024}} with Hugh B. Brown presiding, and attended by local church members and community leaders.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-11 |title=1974 revisited: 25 noteworthy events and elements tied to the Washington Temple dedication |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2022/7/24/23278577/1974-revisited-25-noteworthy-events-and-elements-tied-to-the-washington-temple-dedication/ |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Church News |language=en}} Land clearing began May 28, 1971.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-24 |title=1974 revisited: 25 noteworthy events and elements tied to the Washington Temple dedication |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2022/7/24/23278577/1974-revisited-25-noteworthy-events-and-elements-tied-to-the-washington-temple-dedication/ |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Church News |language=en}}

The temple is part of a 57-acre (23 ha) site along the Capital Beltway,{{Cite web |date=2008-04-24 |title=No Title |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2008/04/24/110d0bb6-edc4-40d7-9382-9d3259cb594a/ |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=The Washington Post |language=en}}{{Cite news |title=In April, the Mormon temple near DC will open to the public for the first time since 1974 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/us/mormon-temple-lds-public-dc-b1887853.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250206230434/https://www.independent.co.uk/us/mormon-temple-lds-public-dc-b1887853.html |archive-date=2025-02-06 |access-date=2025-05-14 |work=The Independent |language=en-GB}} purchased by the church in 1962. The 4,220 acres of property changed hands multiple times, and follows American history. The land was inhabited off and on by Native Americans, then the land was owned by a series of European Monarchs, beginning with King James I (of England), by Charles I, to Cecilius Calvert, to Charles Calvert, until it was given to Colonel William Joseph, where the property became known by the nickname "Joseph's Park", after the owner.

Other parts of the land were sold off, and eventually the remaining 3,182 acres were purchased by Daniel Carroll. Carroll's nephew, John, (who was the first Catholic bishop in the United States, and a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787), built a chapel on a property below the hill.{{Cite web |last=Van Atta |first=Dale |date=March 20, 2022 |title=The Washington D.C. Temple site’s history is as American as the capital city itself |url=https://www.deseret.com/faith/2022/3/20/22981180/the-washington-d-c-temple-sites-history-is-as-american-as-the-capital-city-itself-lds-temple/ |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=Deseret News |language=en}} The property later passed to Daniel Carroll's grandson, who built a home a mile from the temple site, which he renamed "the Highlands", and then wore out the land growing tobacco on it. Civil War troops briefly occupied the land, although no battles occurred on the site. The site at the edge of the property was never subjected to clear-cutting, so the old-growth forest remained. The property eventually passed to Clarence Moore, who later died on the Titanic. His widow sold the estate, and the site passed between various companies and investors.

In September 1962, plans were underway to transform the site into a shopping center, with a supermarket, high-rises, and townhomes.{{Cite book |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/multimedia/file/english-dc-press-kit-2022.pdf |title=Washington D.C. Temple Renovation Fact Sheet |publisher=Church News |access-date=October 29, 2024}} However, during negotiations for the temple site, a personal connection developed between church representatives and the Jewish owners of the property, including David Bazelon. The owners, who were supportive of the Zionist movement, discarded a competing offer, and sold the land to the church at a discount, motivated by shared respect for religious history, temple building, and the sacred purpose of the temple.

Only 11 acres (4.5 ha) of the 52 acre (21 ha) site was cleared. The temple was designed by Keith W. Wilcox, Fred L. Markham, Henry P. Fetzer, and Harold K. Beecher, and Emil B. Fetzer.{{Cite web |last=Ruf |first=Jessica |date=2022-04-18 |title=Mormon Temple in DC Can Be Toured for First Time in 50 Years |url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2022/04/18/for-the-first-time-in-50-years-you-can-tour-kensingtons-latter-day-saints-temple-2/ |access-date=2024-10-24 |language=en-US}}{{Cite journal |last=Palfreyman |first=Samuel |date=2020-01-01 |title=The Landscape of Modern Mormonism Understanding the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Through Its Twentieth Century Architecture |url=https://www.academia.edu/84063373/The_Landscape_of_Modern_Mormonism_Understanding_the_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter_Day_Saints_Through_Its_Twentieth_Century_Architecture |journal=Academia.edu |pages=380}} It was the church's first temple built east of the Mississippi River since the Nauvoo Temple, which was dedicated in 1846.{{Cite web |title=The Dedication of the Temple {{!}} Religious Studies Center |url=https://rsc.byu.edu/nauvoo-temple-story-faith/dedication-temple |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=rsc.byu.edu}}{{Cite book |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/multimedia/file/english-dc-press-kit-2022.pdf |title=Washington D.C. Temple Renovation Fact Sheet |publisher=Church of Jesus Christ Newsroom |year=2022 |pages=1 |access-date=October 29, 2024}}{{Cite web |date=2022-04-18 |title=Open House Begins for Washington D.C. Temple |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/washington-dc-temple-open-house |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}}

Original cost estimates for the temple were about $15 million (about ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|15000000|1964|r=-6}}}} today).{{Cite web |date=2022-08-12 |title=Which Church leaders have connections to the Washington D.C. Temple? |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2022/8/12/23298453/church-leaders-connections-to-the-washington-d-c-temple-president-nelson-elder-holland/ |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Church News |language=en}}{{Inflation-fn|US}} Church members in the temple's district contributed about a third of the cost of construction, and members who would use the building were asked to raise about $4.5 million.{{Cite web |last=Heward |first=Maclane E. |title=The Washington D.C. Temple: Mr. Smith's Church Goes to Washington |url=https://rsc.byu.edu/latter-day-saints-washington-dc/washington-dc-temple-mr-smiths-church-goes-washington |access-date=May 21, 2025 |website=BYU Religious Studies Center}}

When it opened, the temple served about 300,000 Latter-day Saints in 31 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, seven Canadian provinces, Cuba, Haiti, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic.{{cite news |date=August 1974 |title=The Washington Temple District |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1974/08/the-washington-temple-district?lang=eng |access-date=October 29, 2024 |magazine=Ensign |publisher=Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}} Many of the sites which are important to early church history, such as Nauvoo, Palmyra, and Kirtland, are within the original Washington D.C. Temple district.

File:Washdctemplehighsmith13341u.jpg

On September 17, 1974, during the first week of an open house, government officials and diplomats from around the world were taken on tours of the building. Betty Ford, who attended, said that the temple was "one of great beauty and a great addition to our surroundings here in Washington". The open house was almost canceled at the last minute when a fire marshal required an emergency backup generator for the sprinkler system in case of a power outage. Harold Ranquist, a local member and Army Reservist, spent eight hours the day before the event using his military connections to locate a generator. A generator was installed just 25 minutes before the open house began. Ranquist said, "That day, 30 tickets were committed to the various Colonels and Generals with whom I had spoken".

Church president Spencer W. Kimball held a news conference on the bridge of the temple, drawing more than 100 reporters and photographers. The open house continued for seven weeks, drawing more than 750,000 people.{{Cite web |title=Washington D.C. Temple {{!}} Church News Almanac |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/almanac/temples/washington-dc/ |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Church News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Kellner |first=Mark A. |date=July 20, 2021 |title=For outsiders, a rare, brief peek inside Mormons' iconic D.C. temple |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/jul/20/outsiders-rare-brief-peek-inside-mormons-iconic-dc/ |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=The Washington Times}} At a completion ceremony the church's First Presidency buried a time capsule with historical items near a corner of the temple. This included scriptures (the Bible, the Doctrine and Covenants), copies of current newspapers, photos of church leaders, a replica of a statue of Brigham Young, and tickets from the dedication. Church president Spencer W. Kimball held ten dedicatory sessions between November 19 and 22, 1974, drawing about 4,200 people apiece. It became the church's 16th dedicated and operating temple.File:Washdctemplehighsmithabove17320u.jpgOn April 23, 2011, a 5.9-magnitude earthquake knocked off the tops of four spires and shook loose several pieces of marble from the building's facade. Repairs were made the following month and no disruptions occurred in its normal operating schedule.{{cite news |title=East Coast quake damages people's nerves and temple spires |url=http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=16937670 |publisher=KSL-TV |date=August 23, 2011 |access-date=October 8, 2012}}{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=Alex Ruoff Staff |date=2011-09-08 |title=Mormon temple in Kensington to undergo repairs after earthquake |url=https://www.somdnews.com/archive/news/mormon-temple-in-kensington-to-undergo-repairs-after-earthquake/article_e6abc1bf-75a6-539e-a429-6f1ca3ed31ef.html |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=SoMdNews.com |language=en}}

On February 23, 2017, the church announced that the temple would close in March 2018 for a three-year renovation to update furnishings and mechanical systems.{{Cite web |date=2017-02-23 |title=Two landmark LDS temples to close for renovations, will be rededicated |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2017/2/23/23211595/two-landmark-lds-temples-to-close-for-renovations-will-be-rededicated/ |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=Church News |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Elwood |first=Karina |date=2022-04-25 |title=What to expect when the Mormons' D.C. temple opens to the public |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2022/04/19/maryland-mormons-lds-temple-preview/ |url-access=registration |access-date=October 29, 2024 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}} The visitors' center remained open during renovations.{{Cite web |date=2017-02-23 |title=Oakland California and Washington D.C. Temples to Close for Renovation |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/oakland-california-washington-dc-temples-close-renovation |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}}

In February 2020, as renovations neared completion, church officials announced a public open house from September 24 through October 31, with a rededication planned for December 13.{{Cite web |date=2020-06-17 |title=Washington D.C. Temple Open House and Rededication Dates Postponed |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/washington-d-c-temple-open-house-rededication-dates |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}} But on June 17 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, officials postponed the events until such time as large public gatherings were deemed safe. In July 2021, officials said the events would take place in 2022: the open house from April 28 to June 4 and the rededication on June 19.{{Cite web |date=2021-07-20 |title=Washington D.C. Temple Rededication Set for Summer 2022 |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/washington-dc-temple-open-house-rededication-2022 |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}} In January 2022, they rescheduled the rededication to August that year, extending the open house as needed.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-19 |title=Diverse group of thousands of invited guests already touring Washington D.C. Temple as open house nears |url=https://www.deseret.com/faith/2022/4/19/23032161/washington-d-c-temple-draws-people-of-diverse-faiths-as-it-opens-for-first-time-since-1974 |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}{{citation |title=The First Presidency Extends the Open House for the Washington D.C. Temple: The temple rededication will now take place on August 14, 2022 |date=2022-01-28 |work=Newsroom |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/washington-dc-temple-rededication-date-change |access-date=October 29, 2024 |publisher=the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}

The church put up banners in the city to promote the event and recorded a virtual tour, led by Gary E. Stevenson and Dale G. Renlund, members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-11 |title=Watch a virtual tour of the Washington D.C. Temple led by two Latter-day Saint apostles |url=https://www.deseret.com/faith/2022/5/11/23066908/watch-a-virtual-tour-of-the-washington-d-c-temple-led-by-two-latter-day-saint-apostles |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Deseret News |language=en}} During the open house, more than 250,000 people visited the temple. The temple was rededicated by Russell M. Nelson in three sessions on August 14, 2022.{{Cite web |title=LDS President Russell Nelson rededicates Oz-like D.C. temple, lauds 'inspired' Constitution |url=https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2022/08/14/lds-president-russell-nelson/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=The Salt Lake Tribune |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-08-14 |title=The Prophet Rededicates the Washington D.C. Temple |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/president-nelson-rededicates-washington-dc-temple |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}} At the time, the temple's district covered 38 stakes in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, and West Virginia.

In 2022, John Scott's 1974 mural The Last Judgment in the temple's entryway was removed and replaced by His Return, an 8-by-12-foot mural depicting the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. It was painted by Dan Wilson, a fine arts graduate from Utah Valley University who said he was inspired by Carl Bloch. Drawing on spiritual practices such as fasting and priesthood blessings, Wilson spent 2,000 hours painting the piece, expanding the number of angels from 120 to over 300 and increasing their ethnic diversity.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-29 |title=Local Latter-day Saints say Washington D.C. Temple artwork now reflects them, their city and church |url=https://www.deseret.com/2022/4/29/23034234/washington-d-c-temple-lds-mormon-church-local-latter-day-saint-artwork-reflects-city-church/ |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}Scott’s mural is currently being cleaned and prepared for a new location.

Citation: {{Citation |last=Noyce |first=David |title=Missing: This Washington D.C. Temple mural. Here’s what happened to it. |date=April 22, 2022 |url=https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2022/04/22/missing-this-washington/ |publisher=The Salt Lake Tribune}}{{Cite web |date=2022-08-09 |title=Get to know the artist who made the Second Coming painting in the Washington D.C. Temple |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2022/8/9/23278596/artist-dan-wilson-painting-washington-dc-temple-rotunda-second-coming-jesus-christ-angels/ |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=Church News |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-05-05 |title=The mistakes and miracles behind the massive new Second Coming painting in the DC Temple |url=https://www.ldsliving.com/the-mistakes-and-miracles-behind-the-massive-new-second-coming-painting-in-the-dc-temple/s/10645 |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=LDS Living |language=en}}

Other artworks commissioned for the 2022 renovations aimed to reflect the church's diverse global membership, aligning with church president Nelson's temple expansion initiative, according to church historian Emily Utt. Paintings by Elspeth Young—With a Sincere Heart, The Pure in Heart, He Restoreth My Soul, and And Thou Didst Hear Me—portray figures of diverse ethnicities, including a Filipino woman, a Mestizo woman from Mexico, and an African American woman in prayer.{{Cite web |date=2017-12-29 |title=Model for LDS Temple painting of a pioneer has a pioneer heritage of her own |url=https://www.deseret.com/2017/12/29/20624668/model-for-lds-temple-painting-of-a-pioneer-has-a-pioneer-heritage-of-her-own/ |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}

File:DC-Temple-3.jpg ]]

The temple is located in suburban Kensington, Maryland, north of Washington, D.C., accessible from the Capital Beltway.{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Hamil R. |date=2022-06-22 |title=A Visit to the Mormon Temple |url=https://www.washingtoninformer.com/a-visit-to-the-mormon-temple/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=The Washington Informer |language=en-US}} The temple is considered an iconic local landmark, due in part to its proximity to the Capital Beltway.{{Cite web |date=2020-02-27 |title=You see the Mormon temple from the Beltway. This fall, you can visit inside |url=https://wtop.com/dc/2020/02/you-see-the-mormon-temple-from-the-beltway-this-fall-you-can-visit-inside/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=WTOP News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Mikita |first=Carole |date=2022-09-27 |title=Washington, D.C. Temple: A Sacred Monument |url=https://ksltv.com/506940/washington-d-c-temple-a-sacred-monument/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=KSLTV.com |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |title=Washington D.C. Temple reopens to public in a 'signature spotlight moment' for Latter-day Saints |url=https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2022/04/18/washington-dc-temple/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=The Salt Lake Tribune |language=en-US}} Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said the temple is an "iconic landmark" and a "beacon of hope".{{Cite web |date=2022-04-28 |title=Mormon Temple Opens For Tours To Public For The First Time In Nearly 50 Years - CBS Baltimore |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/mormon-temple-opens-for-tours-to-public-for-the-first-time-in-nearly-50-years/ |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}} D.C.-area traffic reports often refer to it as "the temple",{{cite web |url= http://www.meridianmagazine.com/photoessay/021209dctemple.html |work= Meridian Magazine |title= The Washington D.C. Temple Photographic Essay |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20030622210343/http://www.meridianmagazine.com/photoessay/021209dctemple.html |archive-date= June 22, 2003 |access-date=October 8, 2012}} and as a landmark, it is mentioned almost daily in traffic reports.{{Cite web |last=Bleiberg |first=Larry |date=2022-05-17 |title=You Can Finally Look Inside This Stunning D.C. Landmark. But Only for Another 25 Days |url=https://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/washington-dc/experiences/news/washington-d-cs-mormon-temple-reopens-for-tours-for-the-first-time-in-50-years |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=Fodors Travel Guide |language=en-US}}

In 1974, a group of Catholic schoolgirls seeking to promote their production of The Wizard of Oz created the message "Surrender Dorothy" on the Linden Lane bridge bridge above the beltway. They met after midnight and spelled out the phrase—referencing the Wicked Witch's message in The Wizard of Oz—putting wadded newspaper into a chain-link fence. Although the original message was removed, it soon reappeared as graffiti.

By the early 1970s, the graffito "Surrender Dorothy" had become a recurring feature on the CSX{{what|date=June 2025}} bridge crossing over the Capital Beltway near the temple, and the Washington Post called it "the single most famous graffito in the Washington area".{{Cite news |last=Kelly |first=John |date=July 22, 2011 |title=Search for 'Surrender Dorothy' scrawler pulls back curtain on schoolgirl prank |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/search-for-surrender-dorothy-scrawler-pulls-back-curtain-on-schoolgirl-prank/2011/07/22/gIQAFUmgVI_story.html |access-date=October 29, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{Cite web |last1=Painter |first1=Donita |last2=Pichaske |first2=Pete |title=Landmark to most, temple is sanctuary for area's Mormons |url=http://www.jrnl.com/news/99/Nov/jrn63081199.html |access-date=2024-10-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000303193245/http://www.jrnl.com/news/99/Nov/jrn63081199.html |archive-date=March 3, 2000 }} Highway crews periodically removed the graffiti, but it repeatedly reappeared. According to the Deseret News, the temple became "known affectionately by locals as Oz".{{Cite web |date=2011-07-26 |title=D.C. Temple graffiti prank won't die |url=https://www.deseret.com/2011/7/26/20206019/d-c-temple-graffiti-prank-won-t-die/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=Deseret News |language=en}} In 2022, D. Todd Christofferson was asked by CBS News what church members think when they hear the temple compared to the land of Oz, he said that it makes them smile, and that part of the reason the open house was happening was so people "see it as something much, much more than Oz".{{Cite web |date=2022-04-17 |title=Inside the Latter-day Saints' Washington, D.C. temple - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/inside-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-washington-d-c-temple/?ftag=CNM-16-10abd6g |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}

Author Orson Scott Card, writing for the Deseret News in 2005, explained that the humor of the "Surrender Dorothy" graffiti lay in its unintentional connection to The Wizard of Oz: "This is funny because clearly the (Latter-day Saints) didn't intend their temple to remind anybody of a classic fantasy movie, but once somebody put up the graffiti, it made everybody think of it and laugh". Card noted that the juxtaposition of the temple's architecture with the lush greenery and the clever quote created this unexpected cultural link.

File:Model of the Interior of the WashingtonDC LDS Temple.jpeg

The seven-story temple's architectural style, blends elements of mid-century modern architecture with a traditional Latter-day Saint temple design.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-11 |title=What the Church did to restore, refurbish the Washington D.C. Temple and why it matters |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2022/4/20/23217733/what-the-church-did-to-restore-refurbish-the-washington-d-c-temple-and-why-it-matters/ |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Church News |language=en}} The modern six-spire design was modeled after the Salt Lake Temple—with three towers to the east representing the Melchizedek priesthood and three to the west symbolizing the Aaronic priesthood—to make the building recognizable as a temple of the church. The temple has no cathedral-like space inside; most rooms are small, "quiet and intimate", and windowless.

The central eastern tower is {{convert|288|ft|m}} tall, the tallest of the church's temples at the time of its dedication. The temple has a total floor area of {{convert|160000|sqft|m2}}, making it the church's third-largest. The temple has a baptismal font used for members to perform proxy baptisms for the dead; with 12 oxen representing the 12 tribes of Israel; six ordinance rooms; and fourteen sealing rooms. The angel Moroni statue, standing on the tallest tower, is {{convert|18|ft|m}} tall and weighs 2 tons.{{Cite news |last=Kelly |first=John |date=September 1, 2016 |title=At the Mormon Temple, a golden angel comes down to Earth |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/local/wp/2016/09/01/at-the-mormon-temple-a-golden-angel-comes-down-to-earth/ |access-date=October 29, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} This was one of the first to depict the angel holding a set of golden plates.{{Cite web |date=2020-07-30 |title=Why do temples have the angel Moroni on top? Here's a look at the history of the iconic statues |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2020/7/30/23216470/why-temples-have-angel-moroni-on-top-history-iconic-statues/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=Church News |language=en}} The Washington D.C. Ward meeting house displayed a similar statue until it was moved to the Church History Museum.{{Cite web |last=Kenney |first=Wendy |title=Looking Up to Moroni |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/2009/11/looking-up-to-moroni?lang=eng |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=www.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}} The building is made of reinforced concrete and structural steel, the outer walls are covered in white Alabama marble, and the spires are coated in 24-carat gold.{{cite news |date=August 1974 |title=To Build a Temple |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1974/08/to-build-a-temple?lang=eng |access-date=October 29, 2024 |magazine=Ensign |publisher=Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}{{Cite web |title=Okland Construction {{!}} Lds Washington Dc Temple |url=https://www.okland.com/markets/religious-cultural/lds-washington-dc-temple/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=www.okland.com}} There are two large stained-glass windows on the eastern and westernmost spires. Other window-type spaces in the facade are covered with translucent marble shaved to {{convert|0.625|in|cm}} thick.{{cite news |author=England, Kathy |date=October 1977 |title=The Washington D.C. Temple |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1977/10/the-washington-d-c-temple?lang=eng |access-date=October 29, 2024 |magazine=Ensign |publisher=Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}

During the 2018 restoration, an architectural glass firm restored the glass by taking charcoal rubbings before cleaning and recasting it in resin to match the original design. The bridge between the entry room and the temple represents leaving the world behind to enter the holy house of the Lord.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-17 |title=Inside the Latter-day Saints' Washington, D.C. temple - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/inside-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-washington-d-c-temple/ |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}} Inside ornate dressing rooms, members change into all-white clothing. The celestial room has a high ceiling, gold leaf-adorned walls, a large central crystal chandelier and 12 smaller ones,{{Cite web |date=2022-05-15 |title=Washington Gardener Magazine May 2022 |url=https://issuu.com/washingtongardener/docs/may22-wgmag-final/16 |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=Issuu |pages=16–17 |language=en}} and a modern furniture design. The celestial room is meant to symbolize heaven, and was designed for prayer and quiet contemplation. No ordinances are performed in the celestial room.

Despite the lack of glass windows, the temple is well-lit, representing the light of Christ, according to church apostle David A. Bednar said. The doors to the temple "feature medallions with seven different symbols: a star, a planet, concentric circles representing eternity, the sun (complete with a face like the Nauvoo sunstone), the earth, seven concentric pentagons representing seven dispensations, and the moon."{{Cite web |date=2017-01-20 |title=Why There Are Sun, Moon, and Star Symbols on Temples (+Their Deeper Meaning) |url=https://www.ldsliving.com/why-there-are-sun-moon-and-star-symbols-on-temples-their-deeper-meaning/s/84269 |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=LDS Living |language=en}} The interior includes a stained-glass depiction of the Tree of Life, a symbol in the Book of Mormon.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-19 |title=Washington D.C. Temple: Renderings released, open house dates announced |url=https://www.deseret.com/faith/2020/2/27/21153536/washington-dc-mormon-temple-lds-open-house-renderings/ |access-date=May 21, 2025 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}

Church leaders directed architects, including lead architect Keith W. Wilcox, to design and situate the temple to be easily be visible from the Capital Beltway, to inspire curiosity about the faith. The temple occupies a 52-acre site, with only 11 acres developed. The temple has green lawns and annuals over 64,822 square feet, along with perennials, shrubs, and trees meant to complement native vegetation.

File:Washington D.C. Mormon Temple Festival of Lights.jpg

The visitors' center next to the temple acts as an educational resource, helping members and non-members understand the role of the temple's place in church history, and of temples in the church and as a symbol of God.{{Cite web |title=Welcome to the Washington D.C. Temple Visitors' Center |url=https://dctemplevisitorscenter.org/ |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=DC Temple Visitors' Center |language=en-US}} Another building, the Washington D.C. FamilySearch Center, enables members and nonmembers to do genealogical research with organizations such as the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society.{{Cite web |title=Washington DC FamilySearch Center |url=https://locations.familysearch.org/en/us/md/kensington/10000-stoneybrook-drive |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=locations.familysearch.org |language=en}}

Since 1978, the temple has hosted the annual Festival of Lights at the visitors' center from December 2 to January 1.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-27 |title=Lights of Christmases past and present: How the Temple Square celebration has changed over 55 years |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2020/11/27/23217584/christmas-temple-square-lights-president-mckay-1965-celebration-growth/ |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Church News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Herron |first=Patrick |date=2022-10-19 |title=Festival of Lights Returns This Year at the D.C. Temple in Kensington |url=https://mocoshow.com/2022/10/19/information-on-this-years-festival-of-lights-at-the-d-c-temple-in-kensington/#:~:text=By%20Patrick%20Herron,or%20send%20us%20a%20message! |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=The MoCo Show |language=en-US}} The event attracts thousands of visitors who come to view millions of lights on the temple grounds.{{Cite web |title=Festival of Lights Begins at Washington D.C. Temple and Visitors' Center - Church News and Events |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/news/festival-of-lights-begins-at-washington-dc-temple-and-visitors-center?lang=eng |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=www.churchofjesuschrist.org}} The festival features live performances by the Washington, D.C. Temple Choir; a public lighting ceremony; a narrated outdoor nativity scene; and nightly performances from various regional artists and musicians.{{Cite web |title=Festival of Lights 2023 |url=https://dctemplevisitorscenter.org/festival-of-lights/ |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=DC Temple Visitors' Center |language=en-US}}{{cite web |title=Washington D.C. Temple Festival of Lights |url=https://local.churchofjesuschrist.org/en/units/us/md/mount-vernon-ward/events/washington-dc-temple-festival-of-lights |access-date=October 29, 2024 |work=churchofjesuschrist.org |publisher=Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}} Beginning in 1989, church leaders invited foreign ambassadors to co-host the annual Festival of Lights at the temple's visitors' center. The initiative has continued, strengthening diplomatic relationships and drawing attention to the temple's significance in the community. Each year, a different ambassador to the United States is invited as a guest speaker at the festival's opening lighting ceremony. In 2011, Bill Marriott and his wife, Donna, hosted Brazilian Ambassador to the United States Mauro Vieira, with L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presiding.{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Page |date=December 6, 2011 |title=Festival of Lights opens for holiday season at Washington D.C. Temple |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2011/12/6/23226088/festival-of-lights-opens-for-holiday-season-at-washington-d-c-temple/ |access-date=October 24, 2024 |newspaper=Church News}}

In 2021, the temple held the Reverse Open House Series, where local church members visited other religious groups in the DC area to learn about their beliefs, participate in their religious practices, and promote interfaith dialogue and understanding.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-11 |title=Reverse Open House Series: How a temple open house inspired visits to other faiths' sacred sites, events |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2022/4/16/23217663/reverse-open-house-series-inspired-by-d-c-temple-open-sacred-sites-interfaith-events/ |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Church News |language=en}}

The temple is not used for Sunday worship services, and is not open to the public like Latter-day Saint meeting houses, but rather is a central place of worship and spiritual ceremonies for church members such as sealings and baptisms for the dead.{{Cite book |url=https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/master/pnp/habshaer/dc/dc0500/dc0586/data/dc0586data.pdf |title=WRITTEN HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE DATA |publisher=Historic American Buildings Survey |year=2015 |pages=17 |access-date=May 13, 2025}}{{Cite web |last=Elwood |first=Karina |date=2022-04-20 |title=Major Mormon temple opens doors to celebrate rededication |url=https://www.phillytrib.com/major-mormon-temple-opens-doors-to-celebrate-rededication/article_fc7862d9-f7dc-5702-a6ab-3cb6d7d4e1f4.html |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=The Philadelphia Tribune |language=en}} Entry into the temple is restricted to those who hold a valid temple recommend. Church officials have said that activities within temples are not secret, but are sacred, deeply significant to church members, and therefore not discussed lightly or informally.{{Cite web |last=Walch |first=Tad |last2=April 18 |first2=Deseret News {{!}} Posted- |last3= |first3= |title=Latter-day Saint apostle shares marriage advice with CBS News in the Washington D.C. Temple |url=https://www.ksl.com/article/50389143/latter-day-saint-apostle-shares-marriage-advice-with-cbs-news-in-the-washington-dc-temple |access-date=2025-05-31 |website=www.ksl.com |language=en}}

Before the 1974 dedication, a seven-week public open house was held. This allowed people of all faiths to see the temple's architecture and learn about its sacred functions. More than 750,000 people visited, about 100,000 more than at any previous temple open house. The event was covered by local journalists, who described local residents' excitement and trepidation about the new building.{{Cite web |title=Sep 23, 1974, page 10 - The Daily Mail at Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/22083510/ |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Sep 14, 1974, page 2 - The Daily Mail at Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/22078704/ |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Aug 21, 1974, page 7 - The Daily Mail at Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/22063454/ |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Jul 23, 1973, page 25 - The News Journal at Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/163487771/ |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}

Another public open house was held after a four-year renovation from April 28 to June 11, 2022, drawing more than 250,000 visitors to the temple.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-11 |title=The influence, closure, renovation and open house of Washington D.C. Temple |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2022/8/13/23304018/washington-dc-temple-influence-closure-renovation-open-house-president-nelson-rededicate/ |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Church News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Maggie |date=May 8, 2022 |title=Inside the Temple |url=https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/community/articles/inside-temple-latter-day-saints |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Tablet}}

Since its dedication in 1974, the temple has been overseen by temple presidents and temple matrons, each typically serving a term of three years.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-02 |title=Learn about the 56 new temple presidents and matrons called for 2023 |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/callings/2023/6/2/23729158/56-new-temple-presidents-and-matrons-class-of-2023/#:~:text=Temple%20presidents%20and%20matrons%20typically,comprise%20the%20class%20of%202023. |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=Church News |language=en}} The president and matron oversee the administration of temple operations and provide guidance and training for both temple patrons and staff.{{Cite web |title=The Temple Goes into Service {{!}} Religious Studies Center |url=https://rsc.byu.edu/colonia-juarez-temple-prophets-inspiration/temple-goes-service |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=rsc.byu.edu}}{{Cite web |title=The Journey to Becoming a Temple President with Terry Baggs |url=https://byums.byu.edu/events/details/byu-sacramento-presents-the-journey-to-becoming-a-temple-president-with-terry-baggs/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=BYU Management Society |language=en}}

Notable temple presidents include Franklin D. Richards (1983–1986),{{Cite web |title=Franklin D. Richards |url=https://speeches.byu.edu/speakers/franklin-d-richards/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=BYU Speeches |language=en-US}} David S. King (1990–1993),{{Cite web |date=2009-05-11 |title=David King, prominent Demo from Utah and temple president, dies |url=https://www.deseret.com/2009/5/11/20378801/david-king-prominent-demo-from-utah-and-temple-president-dies/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=1993-06-12 |title=NEW TEMPLE PRESIDENTS RALPH O. AND MILDRED BRADLEY OWEN D. AND |url=https://www.deseret.com/1993/6/12/20765740/new-temple-presidents-ralph-o-and-mildred-bradley-owen-d-and/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=Deseret News |language=en}} and F. Melvin Hammond (2005–2008).{{Cite web |date=2005-06-18 |title=New temple presidents |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2005/6/18/23236428/new-temple-presidents-122/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=Church News |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2008-06-14 |title=New temple presidents |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2008/6/14/23231608/new-temple-presidents-96/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=Church News |language=en}} As of 2024, the temple president is Peter K. Christensen, with Toby E. Christensen serving as matron.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-04 |title=See the 73 couples called as temple presidents and matrons in 2024 |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2024/04/04/see-the-73-new-temple-presidents-and-matrons-called-in-2024/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=Church News |language=en}}

{{Portal|Christianity|Latter Day Saints

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• 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
• Comparison of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Temple architecture (LDS Church)

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Washington D.C. Temple}}

• [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/details/washington-d.c.-temple?lang=eng Washington D.C. Temple Official site]
• [https://dctemplevisitorscenter.org/ Washington D.C. Temple Visitors' Center Official Site]
• [https://dctemplevisitorscenter.org/festival-of-lights/ Festival of Lights]
• [https://dalevanatta.com Washington D.C. Temple Divine by Design book]
• {{HABS |survey=MD-1317 |id=md1841 |title=Washington D.C. Temple, 9900 Stoneybrook Drive, Kensington, Montgomery County, MD}}

{{LDS-US-North|state=collapsed}}

{{LDSsites}}

Category:Christianity in Montgomery County, Maryland

Category:Kensington, Maryland

Category:Temples (LDS Church) completed in 1974

Category:Religious buildings and structures in Montgomery County, Maryland

Category:Temples (LDS Church) in Maryland

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

Category:1974 establishments in Maryland

Category:Historic American Buildings Survey in Maryland