I was watching Tik Tok the other day and came across a post of a man who was pontificating about how upset God is with the LDS Church because they build too many temples. And why do you need travertine tile in a temple? He was very annoyed by it all.
There are many people who feel annoyed at the idea of the many temples that the LDS Church has built, and is continuing to build. Since I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and because I love every LDS temple that has been—and ever will be—built, and because I love to visit LDS temples, and because I work in an LDS temple, I feel compelled to address this man’s annoyance with the LDS Church and all of our temples; including those that have travertine tile in them.
First, I will address this man’s travertine tile irritation. The average person may not know that LDS temples vary widely in size, design and construction materials. They can lend to different purposes. This is explained by Hugh Nibley:
In a speech in the 1880’s in St. George, Brother Erastus Snow said that every temple has a slightly different design, because it performs a different purpose. The St. George Temple was built after the pattern of the Kirtland Temple, to emphasize certain things. Our Provo Temple is built in a different way entirely. It functions with a different thing in mind—efficiency in getting a lot of work done in a hurry, but also as a teaching tool.
Temple and the Cosmos, Hugh Nibley, pgs. 35-37
Though temples generally face east, Joseph built the Nauvoo temple facing west, where it would be seen to its best advantage from the river. And just as Solomon’s temple resembled its Canaanite neighbors, these modern temples reflect their own time and place. What makes them the “House of the Lord” is not visible to the casual observer or art historian; it cannot be found in their outer appearance.
I asked Mr. ChatGPT about travertine tile used in LDS temples and this is what he told me before my free questions ended. I swear free questions end a lot sooner than they used to.
Several LDS temples feature travertine tile, including: Salt Lake Temple (Utah), Los Angeles California Temple, San Diego California Temple, and Rome Italy Temple.
Mr. ChatGPT
The travertine tile used in various LDS temples is known for its durability and aesthetic appeal. It is a natural stone that has been used for centuries in architecture, often chosen for its unique texture and color variations. In LDS temples, travertine contributes to the sacred and serene atmosphere, enhancing both the interior and exterior designs.
The use of natural materials like travertine in LDS temple construction not only reflects the beauty of the environment but also symbolizes permanence and solidity, which are important concepts in the faith. The unique characteristics of each stone, including its coloration and veining, contribute to the individuality of each temple. Additionally, travertine helps to create a tranquil and inviting atmosphere, which is essential for worship and reflection.
LDS temple architecture has been influenced by various historical styles, including Gothic, Romanesque, and modern designs. This blend reflects the cultural and spiritual aspirations of the church. The use of natural materials like travertine not only enhances aesthetics but also promotes sustainability by reducing the ecological footprint of construction. Symbols in temple architecture often represent spiritual concepts, such as eternal life and divine creation, adding layers of meaning to the physical space.
Travertine tile tends to be more expensive than many other types of tile, such as ceramic or porcelain. This is largely due to its natural sourcing, unique aesthetic qualities, and the labor-intensive process involved in quarrying and processing the stone. While travertine offers a distinctive look and durability, the higher cost may not always make it the best option for every project. Other tiles can provide similar aesthetics at a lower price point.
So, yes. Some of the LDS Temples have travertine tile in them. As an aside, according to the travertine mart website, these famous structures are made from travertine: The Colosseum, Tonto Natural Bridge, Hierapolis, Basilique du Sacre Coeur, Willis Tower, and the Getty Center (https://www.travertinemart.com/travertine-pavers/what-famous-structures-are-made-from-travertine?srsltid=AfmBOorRsdOQUCistpc2oZnABj93In-GUU-56w46VYoBXCHLb0ZHSW4m). I haven’t noticed any Tik Tok posts with creators pontificating about these structures using travertine tile in their construction. So unfair!
In light of what Hugh Nibley stated above, a few of the travertine tile temples noted by ChatGPT above have a specific purpose to them. The Salt Lake Temple’s main purpose is a tourist and a marriage temple.
Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah receives an estimated 3–5 million visitors annually. This makes it one of the most popular tourist attractions in Utah.
AI Overview
Tourist temple anyone? Furthermore, anybody who has attended a marriage sealing at the Salt Lake Temple will attest to the multitude of marriage ceremonies that take place there. And, regardless of what Quora says, you don’t need to live within the Salt Lake Temple district in order to have a marriage sealing performed there. You can get married at any temple you please whether you live in it’s temple district or not.
Moving on to Rome, according to the LDS Church’s website:
The resplendent interior of the Rome Italy Temple features beautiful Italian-quarried Perlato Svevo marble on floors, walls, and countertops. Magnificent floor work is featured in the baptistry and grand foyer, which reflects Michelangelo’s design at the Piazza del Campidoglio on top of Rome’s Capitoline Hill. The pattern is also seen in the sculpted off-white carpets in the Celestial and sealing rooms.
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/rome-italy-temple
Clearly the materials used in the Rome Italy temple reflect where the temple is located. In Italy. In Rome. Have you been to Italy, let alone Rome? Why would we build a cheap temple in Rome, Italy that has many cathedrals, museums and other edifices that use similar materials? A temple reflects its location.
The exact number of yearly visitors to the Rome Italy Temple is not publicly available; however, the temple is considered a significant pilgrimage site for members of the Church in Europe, drawing a substantial number of visitors each year.
AI Overview
My guess is that the Rome Temple is more of a tourist temple for Europe like the Salt Lake Temple is a tourist temple for the United States. Just my opinion.
Now, to address the other types of temples being built today; smaller temples in areas with a smaller church membership. The following is from an LDS Church Newsroom article:
“We can’t take five or 10 years to build a temple now and keep up with President Nelson,” added W. Christopher Waddell, First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric—the group overseeing President Nelson’s temple-building vision. “[We must find] ways to be more productive, to use sacred resources more effectively, to perhaps change the way we do things in some ways. We can’t build the Salt Lake Temple all over the world.”
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/helena-montana-temple-construction-process-modular-design-blox
One path currently being considered for select temples is the modular construction employed by BLOX, a company based in Alabama. They are helping the Church of Jesus Christ pilot a faster way of building temples—beginning with the Helena Montana Temple, which opens to the public on Thursday, May 18, 2023.
BLOX designs and manufactures the temple at their 50-acre facility in Bessemer, Alabama, and then puts those prefabricated pieces—walls, floors and other components—together at the temple site with cranes and other lifting equipment.
The electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling and ventilation systems, along with exterior art deco stone cladding and tower assembly, were also done on site.
The modules “piece together perfectly to align so that we can take the temple anywhere in the world,” said Matt Burke of the Church’s Special Projects Department.
The Helena Montana Temple is 10,000 square feet. The Mt. Timpanogas Temple, that was dedicated in 1996, is 100,000 square feet. The majority of temples being built today are smaller than the temples of yesteryear. By the way, the Mt. Timpanogas Temple is like the Provo Temple in Hugh Nibley’s example: “…efficiency in getting a lot of work done in a hurry, but also as a teaching tool.” In other words, it’s a work horse temple. There is no travertine tile to be found inside its walls.
One final thought from that same article:
Elder Kevin R. Duncan, executive director of the Church’s Temple Department, said recently that God “has spared no expense in giving us the most beautiful earth that we have to live on. And because we’re building His house, we strive to give our very best—our very best craftsmanship, the very best materials that we can.
Now to address the number of temples being built. Temples are being brought to members of the LDS Church the world over. Why should temple blessings be available to only a small percentage of members if the Church has the funds to construct more temples?
Here are two quotes by LDS leaders that provide some “why” for more temples.
Elder Richard G. Scott: Each member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is blessed to live in a time when the Lord has inspired His prophets to provide significantly increased accessibility to the holy temples. With careful planning and some sacrifice, the majority of the members of the Church can receive the ordinances of the temple for themselves and for their ancestors and be blessed by the covenants made therein.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2009/04/temple-worship-the-source-of-strength-and-power-in-times-of-need?lang=eng
Let us never lose sight of what the Lord is doing for us now. He is making His temples more accessible. He is accelerating the pace at which we are building temples. He is increasing our ability to help gather Israel. He is also making it easier for each of us to become spiritually refined. I promise that increased time in the temple will bless your life in ways nothing else can.
Russell M. Nelson, “Focus on the Temple,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 121
As a note, there were 130 LDS temples in operation by the end of 2009. As of October 1, 2024, the Church has 350 temples worldwide. So while Elder Scott talked about “careful planning and some sacrifice” to attend a temple in 2009, that prerequisite is not necessary for many members throughout the world today.
Many people like to complain about LDS Church funds that help construct temples. But is tithing any different than passing the plate in other denominations? In asking for money during a worship service in other denominations? In getting on the television and asking for money in other denominations? How can a church grow and be maintained without money? Ask Malachi in his Bible chapter about tithes and offerings. An organization needs money to survive; whether religious, governmental, civic or otherwise.
The average LDS member does not mind that tithing money is spent on a temple that will be closer to where they live. We are all aware of the costs that go into running this church: along with temples, maintenance of ward and stake buildings (that local members used to pay for); flying missionaries all over the world; purchasing automobiles for missionaries throughout the world; buying and maintaining mission homes that mission leaders live in (449 missions worldwide); living allowances for full-time church leadership that is a pittance in comparison to what business CEO’s and leaders of other denominations earn. The list goes on. Complain all you want about how much money the LDS church has, but there are a lot of things that need to be paid for. The Kingdom of God cannot grow on faith alone.
And the number of temples in Utah? That really annoys some people. President Nelson remarked that a temple is only built in an area based on need. Here is a statistic from World Population Review:
Utah was the fastest-growing state in the U.S. from 2010 to 2023, with a total growth of 23.88% during that time. Utah’s 2023 annual growth rate is 1.5%. Unlike other rapidly growing states, whose growth is primarily due to migration from other states, Utah’s growth is largely the result of the state’s high birth rate of 14.9 per 100,000 residents. About 62% of Utah’s residents are Mormon, who have an average of 3.4 children compared to 2.1 children among all American adults.
https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/fastest-growing-states
Why so many temples in Utah? They are built according to population need. Have you tried to get a temple appointment at any one of the five temples in Utah County, including the sixth one just over Traverse Mountain? It’s not an easy task. Usually you need to make your appointment at least one week in advance, if not more. The temples are buzzing. And when another temple is built in the valley, the attendance in a particular temple does not necessarily decrease. This I know personally from being a temple worker in one of those temples. Lots of temples along the Wasatch Front is relational to lots of LDS members along the Wasatch Front.
Finally, if you want to learn the reason why the LDS Church builds temples, and not just endure my opinion on the subject, read this article on the church’s website:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/why-latter-day-saints-build-temples?lang=eng