Appendix I
The Great Temple At Salt Lake City-Interior
The Temple Annex: While there are four doorways leading into the temple directly from the outside, the usual entrance is through the building known as the annex. Under ordinary conditions, patrons entering the temple use the annex, though on rare occasions of special convocations of the priesthood many have passed through the outside portals.
The annex can be entered from three locations, one directly off North Temple Street, another through a passageway running from the Main Street entrance, and the third connecting with the Church parking plaza. The outer room or lobby of the annex, which is entered first, is modestly, yet attractively furnished, and is graced with plants and flowers to enhance the atmosphere of peace and serenity one feels immediately upon entering the annex. Within the annex there is an inner lobby which includes a recommend desk by which all who enter the temple must pass. The well equipped office rooms include those of the temple presidency, matron, and recorder, as well as areas for clerical personnel who handle the extensive work of registration and recording.
The main area of the annex, however, is the chapel. This occupies the full south end of the annex on the ground level and has a seating capacity for 400 persons. At the south end of the chapel is a large mural, 34 feet in height, depicting Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives. At the north of the chapel is a raised platform furnished with an attractive pulpit, a large electronic organ, and benches to accommodate seating for 30 people. Temple patrons are seated in the chapel prior to registration for temple sessions. The chapel is also used for appropriate temple meetings and special gatherings.
At the extreme north end of the chapel is another massive mural, in full view of those seated on the benches. Both murals are the work of the Salt Lake artist Harris Wiberg. The mural at the north depicts the Risen Lord instructing his disciples before his ascension into heaven. One can feel through this painting the Lord himself instructing his disciples, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: " (Matt. 28:19.)
From the chapel, temple patrons are invited to proceed down stairways or elevators at the east of the annex to continue the registration process. These semi-subterranean rooms in the lower part of the annex are adjacent to the north wall of the temple and provide access to the main structure.
Included on this lower level are rooms or areas for typing, suitcase storage, children’s nursery, kitchen and dining facilities for temple workers and patrons, separate dressing rooms for men and women temple workers and patrons, instruction rooms for brides and for grooms, temple clothing and linen areas, study rooms for temple workers, laundry facilities, ordinance rooms, and the building control center utilized by maintenance personnel.
The Baptistry: Occupying the central third of the entire first floor of the north side of the temple is the baptismal room, in which stands the great font. The room is floored with white marble, and a ten-inch wainscot of the same material extends along each wall, with grained woodwork above. The walls are virtually a succession of double doors, of which the lower half is of paneled wood, and the upper of pebbled glass. Each doorway is arched, and carries a large semi-circular transom with a central aperture occupied by an open grill of metal. Of these doors there are five pairs on the north and six on the south, and two pairs on the east. There are 12 fluted pilasters around the walls, each extending from floor to ceiling.
The baptismal font is, of course, the most prominent feature of the room. To provide for the font, a depression or well to a depth of three feet has been placed in the ceiling of the basement. This well, tiled with marble, is circular and is surrounded by a low marble wall. In this depression stand 12 life-sized oxen, of cast iron, with bronzed bodies and bronze horns. The oxen face outward in groups of three and support the massive font. The font is of cast iron with a durable and attractive fiberglass liner in gold and blue. It is elliptical in form, of ten and six feet in its longer and shorter axes respectively, and four feet deep. Its capacity is over 500 gallons of water. The rim is reached by a short flight of steps, with balustrade and top-rail of iron. Five inside steps at either end provide for descent into the font. Facilities for constantly recirculating, filtering, chlorinating and renewing hot and cold water in the font are adequate and efficient, and due attention has been given to ventilation and sanitary requirements throughout.
The landing at the top of the steps on the west end of the font expands into two small platforms, one at either side; these are enclosed by extensions of the balustrades. On the south side is a small table for the use of the recorder, and on the north are seats for the witnesses whose presence is essential at every baptism performed in behalf of the dead.
The placing of the baptistry on the lower or basement floor was not a matter of mere convenience. Baptisms performed within the temple are in behalf of the dead, and the symbolism of the font location is set forth by authority:
The baptismal font was instituted as a simile of the grave, and was commanded to be in a place underneath where the living are wont to assemble, to show forth the living and the dead. (D&C 128:13.)
On the north of the baptistry are spacious and convenient dressing rooms used by the brethren, and on the south are equally appropriate dressing rooms for the sisters. Provision is also made for rooms where certain ordinances of anointing are performed. In these ceremonies only women administer to women, and men to men.
The Creation Room: On the east side of the lower corridor of the temple are two assembly rooms. The first of these is about 40 to 45 feet, and is finished with plainness. Murals on the walls are subdued in tones, and depict scenes representative of the creation of the earth. The seats are comfortably cushioned, typical of those in the various lecture rooms of the temple. Provision is made for 301 persons. This room is used for preliminary instruction purposes, and may be called for convenience the Creation Room.
The Garden Room: In striking contrast with the room last described is the room on the south, entered from the Creation Room by an arched doorway hung with portieres. While of about the same size as the room described, and seated to accommodate the same number of persons, in all its appointments it is of more elaborate design. Ceiling and walls are embellished with oil paintings to represent clouds and sky, with sun and moon and stars; the latter showing landscape scenes of rare beauty. There are sylvan grottoes and mossy dells, lakelets and brooks, waterfalls and rivulets, trees, vines and flowers, insects, birds and beasts, in short, the earth beautiful-as it was before the Fall. It may be called the Garden of Eden Room, for in every part and appurtenance it speaks of sweet content and blessed repose. There is no suggestion of disturbance, enmity or hostility; the beasts are at peace and the birds live in amity. In the center of the south wall is a platform and an altar of prayer, reached by three steps. The altar is upholstered in velvet, and on it rests the Holy Bible.
The Grand Stairway starts near the south end of the lower east corridor of the temple. It is provided with a stately newel post and a massive balustrade, both of solid cherry wood, and finished in white and gold. This stairway comprises 35 steps with three landings, and at its top is the upper corridor, running 40 feet north and south. At the south end of the corridor is an art window in rich colors, elliptical in form, about ten feet in height, depicting the expulsion from Eden. It is of special significance in the journey from the Garden Room below to the symbolical room which will next be described.
The World Room: Leading off to the west from the first landing below the top of the grand stairway is a side corridor nine feet wide and 15 feet long. At either end the corridor terminates in an arch way. The room to which it leads is of equal size with those below, 40 by 45 feet. It is carpeted richly, and is seated in the usual way. At the west end is an upholstered prayer altar, on which are placed in readiness for use the Holy Scriptures. Near the altar is a stairway leading to a small waiting room adjoining the elevator landing.