The Columbia South Carolina Temple is the 62nd operating
temple
A temple (from the Latin ) is a building reserved for spiritual rituals and activities such as prayer and sacrifice. Religions which erect temples include Christianity (whose temples are typically called churches), Hinduism (whose temples ...
of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a Nontrinitarianism, nontrinitarian Christianity, Christian church that considers itself to be the Restorationism, restoration of the ...
(LDS Church).
The temple is located in
Hopkins, South Carolina because of its central location within the state. The building is set in a residential neighborhood and surrounded by native
loblolly pine and
oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus ''Quercus'' (; Latin "oak tree") of the beech family, Fagaceae. There are approximately 500 extant species of oaks. The common name "oak" also appears in the names of species in related genera, notably ''L ...
trees. The grounds are landscaped with the area's natural flora including myrtle, holly, mums, and dogwood trees. The exterior of the temple is gray granite and features art glass windows. The temple has the traditional lone spire topped by a gold-plated
angel Moroni
The Angel Moroni () is an angel whom Joseph Smith reported as having visited him on numerous occasions, beginning on September 21, 1823. According to Smith, the angel was the guardian of the golden plates, buried in the hill Cumorah near Smith's ...
.
History
A groundbreaking ceremony for the Columbia South Carolina Temple was held on December 5, 1998. Before its dedication, about 20,000 people toured the temple during an open house. The temple was dedicated the October 15–16, 1999 by LDS Church president
Gordon B. Hinckley
Gordon Bitner Hinckley (June 23, 1910 – January 27, 2008) was an American religious leader and author who served as the 15th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from March 1995 until his death in January 200 ...
. The Columbia South Carolina Temple has a total of , two ordinance rooms, and two sealing rooms.
In 2020, the Columbia South Carolina Temple was closed in response to the
coronavirus pandemic.
[Stack, Peggy Fletcher]
"All Latter-day Saint temples to close due to coronavirus"
''The Salt Lake Tribune
''The Salt Lake Tribune'' is a newspaper published in the city of Salt Lake City, Utah. The ''Tribune'' is owned by The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc., a non-profit corporation. The newspaper's motto is "Utah's Independent Voice Since 1871."
History
...
'', 26 March 2020. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.
Gallery
File:Columbia South Carolina.jpg, Temple, exterior
Columbia_South_Carolina_Temple_Exterior.jpg, Temple, 2018
See also
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Comparison 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
*
List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by geographic region
*
Temple architecture (Latter-day Saints)
*
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in South Carolina
References
Additional reading
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External links
*
Columbia South Carolina Temple Official siteColumbia South Carolina Temple
at ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org
{{LDS-US-East
20th-century Latter Day Saint temples
Buildings and structures in Columbia, South Carolina
Latter Day Saint movement in South Carolina
Temples (LDS Church) completed in 1999
Temples (LDS Church) in the United States
Religious buildings and structures in South Carolina
1999 establishments in South Carolina