In October 2008 I visited all thirteen Utah temples. It was then that almost all of the photographs were taken that appear in this series of posts. To download a photograph click on the image to obtain the full resolution of 3264 x 2448 pixels with a file size of 3 to 4Mb.
The Monticello temple was the eleventh temple built in Utah
Originally there was a white angel Moroni statue that "disappeared" on cloudy days
Monticello Utah Temple Facts
Announced: 4 October 1997
Site: 1.33 acres.
Exterior finish: White marble.
Temple design: Classic modern.
Rooms: Baptistry, celestial room, two endowment rooms, two sealing rooms.
Total floor area: 11,225 square feet.
Dimensions: 79 feet by 108 feet; 66 feet high to statue of angel Moroni.
Groundbreaking, site dedication: 17 Nov 1997, by Elder Ben B. Banks of the Seventy.
Dedication: 26-27 July 1998, by President Gordon B. Hinckley; rededicated 17 November 2002 by President Gordon B. Hinckley.
The temple was constructed in just eight months
Monticello Utah Temple Impressions
I have never visited the Monticello temple. Half way through the session we relocated to a terrestrial room. The celestial room was smaller than the one at Vernal but still very beautiful and peaceful. A temple worker showed us one of the sealing rooms. It was about the same size as the Bountiful sealing rooms that I have attended for weddings. She said there was another sealing room and just one endowment room if you don’t count the terrestrial room.
The temple has few buildings around it and a local told us that a herd of deer will sometimes come through on the land across the street from the temple. This was a very friendly temple with the temple workers shaking our hands, asking where we were from, and insisting that we come back again.
Originally 7,000 square feet, the temple was once the smallest in the Church
Added later: a second ordinance room, second sealing room, entrance canopy, waiting room, laundry and additional offices
Other Utah Temples
Bountiful Utah Temple
Draper Utah Temple
Jordan River Utah Temple
Logan Utah Temple
Manti Utah Temple
Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple
Ogden Utah Temple
Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple
Provo Utah Temple
Saint George Utah Temple
Salt Lake Utah Temple
Vernal Utah Temple
