The Los Angeles LDS Temple

 

If you move to Santa Clarita, you will be lucky to live in the Los Angeles temple district. The LA temple is only 30 minutes away *traffic conditions allowing.* The temple sits in Santa Monica which requires a trip down the 405. Drive time traffic can be tough, but the trip is always worth it. 

Dedicated in 1956, the temple was the first to be built on the west coast and at 190,000 SF it was the largest in existence until recent remodeling at the Salt Lake temple. The massive temple and expansive temple grounds are full of mid-century modern finishes. The temple itself features hand painted rooms with plenty of unique flourishes. 

My favorite thing about the temple is its size, which I see as a symbol of the Church's optimism in a westward expansion. The massive structure is a message to California that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints intended to be a big part of something big: the post-war explosion of growth in Southern California.

Later joined by Oakland, Newport, Redlands, Sacramento, San Diego and Fresno, Los Angeles remains the original California temple. One of only six temples where patrons progress through four ordinance rooms before passing into the Celestial Room, the temple accommodates an unprecedented 300 patrons per session. It's also designed with a spacious assembly room that accommodates about 2,000 and features three pulpits on each end. The assembly room is used for an annual devotional for temple workers and volunteers as well as occasionally for worship by local saints.

The 13-acre grounds include a Visitors Center and Distribution Center on the north end, as well as a chapel for the Westwood ward. Local foliage such as palm trees, Bird of Paradise trees, olive trees, and Chinese Ginkgo trees are decorated with lights for Christmas.

Post Covid, the LA Temple schedule was adjusted to maximize patron use. Apartments are available for traveling saints who wish to include ordinance work. Appointments are encouraged. See the schedule below, but please verify all times online.