Why do some Mormon Temples have an angel Moroni on top?
Question
Gramps,
This is the second time I’ve sent you this question. I thought I’d try again in case it got lost in the shuffle. I’d like to know why only certain Temples have the Angel Moroni on them and why are they pointed in the direction they’re pointed in?
Becky
Answer
Dear Becky,
I also thought that I had answered your query, but I can find neither the question nor the answer. However, nothing profound, except that there is often less there than meets the eye. No two temples are alike, and not all those that are crowned with the Angel Moroni have him pointed in the same direction. Most of the statues of Moroni atop the temples point to the east, which is the direction from which the Savior will come when he will appear in the clouds of heaven, clothed with power and great glory. I imagine local landscape and aesthetics have a lot to do with changing the statue to another direction, but I wouldn’t try read too much significance in such architectural details.
Gramps
I was told they all Point toward Salt Lake City! and that all but the ones that are owned by FLDS have Statues of Moroni on them! I was told this at a Temple Open House in Indianapolis, IN
That’s simply not true. Most (not all) of the temples have Moroni facing east because that is the direction from which the Savior will come. Also we have 10 temples that do not have the statue of Moroni atop them. They are the St. George Utah, Logan Utah, Manti Utah, Laie Hawaii, Cardston Alberta, Mesa Arizona, Hamilton New Zealand, Oakland California, Paris France, and Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temples.