View source for Richmond Virginia Temple

{{Short description|177th LDS temple in Richmond, Virginia}}
{{LDS Temple/Richmond Virginia Temple|format=Infobox LDS Temple}}

The '''Richmond Virginia Temple''' is the 177th operating [[Temple (LDS Church)|temple]] of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]], located in [[Glen Allen, Virginia|Glen Allen]], [[Virginia]], a suburb of [[Richmond, Virginia|Richmond]].<ref name="CJCT" /> The intent to build the temple was announced on April 1, 2018, by [[President of the Church (LDS Church)|church president]] [[Russell M. Nelson]] during [[General Conference (LDS Church)|general conference]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-04-01 |title=President Russell M. Nelson announces seven new temples at close of historic conference |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2018/4/1/23264625/president-russell-m-nelson-announces-seven-new-temples-at-close-of-historic-conference-2/ |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=Church News |language=en}}</ref> This is the church's first temple in Virginia.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Richmond Virginia Temple |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/almanac/temples/richmond-virginia/ |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=Church News |language=en}}</ref>

The temple has a large steeple topped with a statue of the [[angel Moroni]],<ref name=":0" /> with its design using local and historical American architecture.<ref name=":0" /> A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify the beginning of construction, was held on April 11, 2020, conducted by [[Randall K. Bennett]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-05 |title=The untold story of the simple Richmond Virginia Temple groundbreaking — 3 years later |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2023/5/5/23707913/richmond-virginia-temple-groundbreaking-untold-story-pandemic-3-years-later/ |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=Church News |language=en}}</ref> 

== History ==
The intent to construct the temple was announced by church president Russell M. Nelson on April 1, 2018, concurrently with 6 other temples. At the time, the number of operating and announced temples was 189.<ref>{{citation|title=7 New Temples Announced during April 2018 General Conference|date=2018-04-01|url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/news/7-new-temples-announced-during-april-2018-general-conference?lang=eng|work=Newsroom|publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}</ref> 

On April 11, 2020, a groundbreaking to signify the beginning of construction was held, with Randall K. Bennett, president of the church's [[Area (LDS Church)#North America Northeast|North America Northeast]] [[Area (LDS Church)|Area]], presiding.<ref>{{citation|title=Ahead of Mormon temple groundbreaking, church donates 40,000 pounds of goods|date=March 3, 2020|url=https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/ahead-of-mormon-temple-groundbreaking-church-donates-40000-pounds-of-goods/|author=Talya Cunningham|publisher=[[WRIC-TV]]}}</ref><ref>{{citation|title=Construction on Richmond-Area Mormon Temple Set for Spring|date=January 24, 2020|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/virginia/articles/2020-01-24/construction-on-richmond-area-mormon-temple-set-for-spring|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|work=[[U.S. News & World Report]]}}</ref> Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the groundbreaking ceremony was limited to a handful of leaders and was not broadcast to meetinghouses in the temple district as originally planned.<ref name="CJCT">{{cite web |title=Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Richmond Virginia Temple |url=https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/richmond-virginia-temple/ |publisher=Church of Jesus Christ Temples |access-date=May 21, 2023}}</ref> 

Following completion of the temple, an open house was held from March 25-April 15, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-25 |title=New temple to serve 34,000 Latter-day Saints in Virginia: 'Feel the peace that we feel' |url=https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/new-richmond-virginia-temple-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-opens-march-2023 |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=CBS 6 News Richmond WTVR |language=en}}</ref> Over the course of the open house, approximately 46,500 people toured the temple.<ref name=":0" /> The temple was dedicated in two sessions on May 7, 2023 by [[Dallin H. Oaks]].<ref>{{cite web |title=President Dallin H. Oaks Dedicates Richmond Virginia Temple: 'The work of the temples is centered in Jesus Christ,' Apostle says |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/president-dallin-h-oaks-dedicates-the-richmond-virginia-temple |website=Newsroom |date=7 May 2023 |publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |access-date=May 21, 2023}}</ref>

== Design and architecture ==
The temple is built in a blend of [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]], [[Federal architecture|Federal]], and [[Jeffersonian architecture|Jeffersonian]] styles<ref name="CN">{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Scott |title=Take a look inside as the doors open to the Richmond Virginia Temple, Virginia's first: Tours begin with March 20 media day, as Church and project leaders talk about the temple's design and purpose |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2023/3/20/23648183/inside-the-richmond-virginia-temple-on-media-day |access-date=May 21, 2023 |work=The Church News |publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |date=20 March 2023}}</ref> with [[Doric order]], with inspiration taken from [[Monticello]], the [[University of Virginia]], the city of [[Williamsburg, Virginia|Williamsburg]], and other locations across the state.<ref name="Design">{{cite news |last1=Walker |first1=Sydney |title=Richmond Virginia Temple features colonial design — take a look at the renderings here |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2019/8/29/23278093/richmond-virginia-temple-features-colonial-design-take-a-look-at-the-renderings-here |access-date=May 21, 2023 |work=The Church News |publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |date=29 August 2019}}</ref>  

=== Site ===
The temple sits on a 12-acre plot<ref name="CJCT" />, and the landscaping around the temple is inspired by “the grounds and gardens of historic Williamsburg” and features local varieties of trees, hedges, and flowers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-20 |title=Take a look inside as the doors open to the Richmond Virginia Temple, Virginia’s first |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2023/3/20/23648183/inside-the-richmond-virginia-temple-on-media-day/ |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=Church News |language=en}}</ref> These elements are designed to provide a tranquil setting that enhances the sacred atmosphere of the site.

=== Exterior ===
The exterior includes interlocking diamond circles and the [[Cornus florida|dogwood flower]].<ref name="Facts">{{cite web |title=Richmond Virginia Temple Fact Sheet |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/multimedia/file/richmond-temple-press-kit.pdf |website=Newsroom |publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |access-date=May 21, 2023}}</ref> The temple is 169 ft. 9 in. tall, with a single spire with the angel Moroni, and four columns at the front entrance.<ref name="CJCT" /> 

=== Interior ===
The interior features blue, gold, and red on exterior glass, interior furnishings use early American color palettes,<ref name="Facts" /><ref name="CN" /> and the foyer depicts a 100-year-old art glass piece of [[Jesus Christ]] as the Good Shepherd from an old, East Coast [[Protestantism in the United States|Protestant]] church.<ref name="CN" /> The interior designs of the temple, including the foyer, grand staircase, and carpets, accentuate Jeffersonian ideas and [[American colonial architecture|Colonial]] designs.<ref name="Facts" /><ref name="CN" />

The temple includes a [[celestial room]], a [[Baptism for the dead|baptistry]], four [[Ordinance room|instruction rooms]], and three [[Celestial marriage|sealing rooms]], each arranged for ceremonial use.<ref name="CJCT" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2023-03-20 |title=Take a look inside as the doors open to the Richmond Virginia Temple, Virginia’s first |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2023/3/20/23648183/inside-the-richmond-virginia-temple-on-media-day/ |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=Church News |language=en}}</ref>

=== Symbols ===
The design uses elements representing Latter-day Saint symbolism and the history of Virginia, to provide deeper spiritual meaning to the temple's appearance and function. Symbolism is an important subject to church members and include the celestial room, which “represents the progression toward Heavenly Father’s presence,”<ref name=":1" /> 

== Temple presidents ==
The church's temples are directed by a [[temple president]] and matron, each serving for a term of three years. The president and matron oversee the administration of temple operations and provide guidance and training for both temple patrons and staff.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Presidents and Matrons of the Richmond Virginia Temple {{!}} ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org |url=https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/richmond-virginia-temple/presidents/ |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}</ref> Since its dedication in 2023, the temple president has been Larry J. Willis, with Sandra M. Willis as matron.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-17 |title=Read about the new leaders of temples in Japan, Canada, Mexico and more |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2022/3/17/23216972/new-temple-presidents-matrons-japan-canada-mexico-saratoga-springs-virginia-dominican-republic/ |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=Church News |language=en}}</ref>

== Admittance ==
Following the completion of the temple, the church held a public open house from March 25-April 15, 2023 (excluding Sundays).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-20 |title=Virginia Governor Praises the ‘Magnificent’ Richmond Temple |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/richmond-virginia-temple-media-day#:~:text=Invited%20guests%20are%20touring%20the,April%201%20(general%20conference). |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}}</ref> The temple was dedicated by Dallin H. Oaks on May 7, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-07 |title=President Dallin H. Oaks dedicates the Richmond Virginia Temple, saying ‘Jesus Christ Himself is the chief cornerstone’ |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2023/5/7/23711254/president-dallin-h-oaks-dedicates-richmond-virginia-temple/ |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=Church News |language=en}}</ref> Like all the church's temples, it is not used for [[Lord's Day|Sunday worship]] services. To members of the church, temples are regarded as sacred houses of the Lord. Once dedicated, only church members with a current [[temple recommend]] can enter for worship.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inside Temples |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/inside-temples?lang=eng&lang=eng |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=www.churchofjesuschrist.org}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|LDS Church}}
{{LDS Temple Map US MA}}
* [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Virginia]]
* [[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)]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

* [https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org Church Newsroom of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]
* [https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/richmond-virginia-temple/ Richmond Virginia Temple] at ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org
* [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/details/richmond-virginia-temple?lang=eng/ Richmond Virginia Temple] at ChurchofJesusChrist.org

{{LDS-US-East}}

[[Category:Temples (LDS Church) in Virginia]]
[[Category:Religious buildings and structures in Richmond, Virginia]]
[[Category:21st-century Latter Day Saint temples in the United States]]
[[Category:Jeffersonian Revival architecture]]
[[Category:2023 establishments in Virginia]]
[[Category:Temples (LDS Church) completed in 2023]]


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