The Newly Remodeled Ogden Temple - Part I

Original Ogden Temple Windows
Link

This will be my first post on the newly remodeled Ogden Utah Temple.  I want to talk about a few details I liked from the original temple that are still present (in some form).

I want to highlight one detail used throughout the remodeled temple that artistically ties it to the original temple.

I have always liked the Ogden Temple more than the Provo Temple and this is largely because of a small detail.  While the Provo Temple has more detailed precast panels, the Ogden Temple had a decorative metal grille covering the windows.  They look dark in the image to the left, but they did have some metallic variation close up.  They were distinctive and beautiful.  Although the new Ogden Temple doesn't have these metal window coverings, I am delighted to see that the design has been integrated into the remodeled temple.

The exterior and interior stonework contains this pattern.  It is also in the stained glass windows.  In the collage I put together from the open house photos you can see on the left that this design is in the stonework. This stonework is on the sides of the windows and on the spire, etc.  The photo one in from the left shows a stained glass detail, which is not exactly the same design, but looks like it is inspired by the original detail.  The next three images show the detail in the ordinance room, first in the woodwork at the end of row of seats, next carved in the woodwork on the altar (I love that the seats and altar are linked so it is like you are symbolically at the altar even when you are in your seat), and then it is also in the stonework on the walls as part of the pilasters.  The photo on the bottom of the collage shows this pattern displayed horizontally carved into the stonework above the altar at the front of the room.  The image on the far right of the collage shows this pattern finely etched into the sealing room altars.  I love that this design detail from the original temple has made it into so many aspects of the remodeled Ogden Utah Temple.  You will also see the pattern in the celestial room dome art glass below.  (Thanks to the reader who pointed this out).

Ogden Temple Celestial Room Dome

There are two other details that I really liked about the original Ogden Temple than I notice have been included in the remodeled Ogden Temple.  The first is a mural in the lobby of Jesus Christ and Peter, James and John along with Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration.  Thankfully this mural is still on display in the remodeled Ogden Temple.  The other detail I loved was that the Celestial Room contained a dome.  The new celestial room has a new dome made of art glass.

The remodeling of the Ogden Temple has significantly upgraded the building.  While so much detail and finery has been added to the temple, I am glad that some connections to the past have also been included.  I hope to write soon about my opinion about the remodeled temple as a whole (and maybe the Ogden Tabernacle and temple grounds).  In the meantime, you can attend the temple open house through the first week of September.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Temple Celestial Room Domes

The Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are spectacular. I really like the use of domes in temple celestial rooms.  Many recent temples have included them, in addition to some older temples.

Both the St. Louis Missouri and Preston England Temples have domes in their celestial rooms.  The temples share the same floor plan, so this isn't too surprising.  Other temples with this style likely have domes.  I know that Boston has a small dome at the end of the room.  If I recall correctly it has clouds painted in a fake oculus.

St. Louis Missouri Temple Celestial Room

Preston England Temple Celestial Room

The first style of small temple had a few mentionable domes.  The Brisbane Australia Temple has a dome with cloud and sky scene and the Snowflake Arizona Temple has an elliptical dome with a sunburst pattern.  These temples are often criticized for being cookie-cutter.  The domes help add some garnish to the very nice cookies.

Brisbane Australia Temple Celestial Room Dome

Snowflake Arizona Temple Celestial Room Dome

The next style of small temple shared a common floor plan that almost always included a celestial room dome.  These temples were given many architectural distinctions to make them much less cookie-cutter.  The temple domes are differentiated with unique, detailed patterns.  All of these temples have a lot of detail.  I wasn't able to find pictures of them all, but here are the ones I could get:

Apia Samoa Temple Celestial Room Dome

Newport Beach California Temple Celestial Room Dome

Redlands California Temple Celestial Room Dome

Sacramento California Temple Celestial Room Dome

San Antonio Texas Temple Celestial Room Dome

The Draper Utah Temple was also given a dome.  I'm pretty sure this is a faux dome, painted to look like a dome.  It is really high up in the room so it is hard to tell, but I think the ceiling is actually flat or only very slightly curved.  The shading makes it look curved and makes it appear to be a dome.  I'm fine with that.  I also love the ring of Sego Lilies (Utah's state flower, which also fed starving pioneers) around the perimeter.

Draper Utah Temple Celestial Room Dome

Several older temples also have domes.  The Sao Paulo Brazil Temple has a dome with nice gold.  I don't know if this dome is original, or if it was added during a recent remodel.  I think it may be glass, but am unsure.

Sao Paulo Brazil Temple Celestial Room Dome

Other temples have had domes added.  For instance, the Boise Idaho Temple had a stained glass dome installed in its celestial room.  Pictures can be seen here.  From what I've seen. a lot of the six spire sloped roof 1980s temples had a central celestial room with an octagonal dome.  I've only seen Dallas' in person.  I liked it.

The Jordan River Utah Temple has an oval dome.  It is really simple with just some texture added like you sometimes see on vaulted ceilings in homes.  The Provo Utah and Ogden Utah Temple both have domes in their celestial rooms.  At least one of them is a dome with numerous ribs and a nice pattern.

The Orlando Florida Temple has a glass dome in its celestial room that can be seen here.

The Rexburg Idaho Temple has an elliptical dome with a wheat pattern painted on it.

I'm sure other temples have domes.  Please comment and let us know about other interesting Latter-day Saint Temple celestial room domes, or what you think about these.