After a two-and-a-half-year renovation, the distinctively beautiful Manti Utah Temple is now rededicated as a house of the Lord. Originally dedicated in 1888, it is one of the oldest pioneer-era temples in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
An integral part of the renovation focused on the restoration of priceless works of art that have become synonymous with this sacred structure.
“We needed to care for the murals,” said Emiline Twitchell, Church History Department conservator over the project for The Church of Jesus Christ.
“To be able to increase the lifespan of these murals means that we increase a symbolic entry point into understanding our own worship, our own story.”
The historic magnitude of these murals (including the oldest mural in an existing temple of the Church) is not lost on the conservators tasked with bringing back each mural’s brilliance after decades of repairs and overpainting.
The Purpose
Each mural represents a different historical setting completed by renowned artists of the time. One illustrates the earth’s creation, conceived by C.C.A. Christensen. Another is symbolic of the Garden of Eden, painted by Joseph Everett and Robert Shepherd. The third depicts the fallen world, created by Minerva Teichert. Combined, they evoke sacred reminders of our spiritual progression.
The artwork adorns three instruction rooms in the Manti Utah Temple, where Latter-day Saints make consecrated agreements with God and receive deeper understanding of His plan of salvation and the Atonement of Jesus Christ.