Temple, Design of, Revealed by God

According to a number of scriptural and historical records, God has revealed to His prophets the plan or design of many of His temples. Here are several examples:

Mosaic Tabernacle. The tabernacle’s precise architectural dimensions and plans were so essential to the Israelite community that God revealed its pattern or technical plan to Moses: “Let them make me a sanctuary. . . . according to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle” (Ex. 25:8–9; see also Heb. 8:5). The Lord also revealed “the pattern of all the instruments thereof” (Ex. 25:8–9, 40; Num. 8:4) and the details and description of the priestly vestments (see Ex. 28 and 39).

Temple of Solomon. God delivered to King David “by the Spirit” instructions concerning the details and measurements of the temple; David then conveyed the pattern to his son Solomon. “All this, said David, the Lord made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern” (1 Chr. 28:11–13, 19).

Temple of Ezekiel. An angel revealed to Ezekiel the design of Jerusalem’s future temple (see Ezek. 40–46).

Kirtland Temple. The Lord revealed the pattern to Joseph Smith and others: “Let the house be built . . . after the manner which I shall show unto three of you” (D&C 95:13–14). Elder Orson Pratt explained that Joseph Smith received divine knowledge regarding “the order of the pulpits, and in fact everything pertaining to it was clearly pointed out by revelation. God gave a vision of these things, not only to Joseph, but to several others, and they were strictly commanded to build according to the pattern revealed from the heavens.”291

Nauvoo Temple. God revealed the plan to Joseph Smith: “I have seen in vision the splendid appearance of that building illuminated and will have it built according to the pattern shewn me.”292 Once William Weeks (temple architect) considered semicircular windows to be appropriate, but Joseph Smith maintained that round ones would be used because of the vision that he had received.293

Nauvoo Temple drawing.

Far West Temple. Doctrine and Covenants 115:14–15 states concerning this temple, “Let a house be built unto my name according to the pattern which I will show unto them. And if my people build it not according to the pattern which I shall show unto their presidency, I will not accept it at their hands.”

Salt Lake Temple. Brigham Young saw the Salt Lake Temple in vision: “I . . . saw in the Spirit the Temple not ten feet from where we have laid the Chief Corner Stone. I have not inquired what kind of a Temple we should build. Why? Because it was represented before me. I have never looked upon that ground, but the vision of it was there. I see it as plainly as if it was in reality before me.”294