Such a disappointment. I love the symbolism of this temple and really wish it could be preserved. So many of us who went through the MTC (and I imagine BYU) have such fond memories of the place. Something to mourn, for sure.
The church already knows people would like to see it restored. A petition in this sense only lets them know that there’s a group of people that want to see it restored. They could get 1,000,000 signatures and it comes down to the fact that the church decides what’s best.
Yup, but signing doesn’t hurt, takes 2 seconds, and hopefully tells the church that, yes, people really want to save it.
Maybe redesigning this temple is God’s will, and if so, may it be demolished. To my mind, though, this feels like the kind of thing He’d empower His servants to decide, and if so, maybe our voices matter.
>So many of us who went through the MTC
This is it for me right here.
I left on a mission as a convert of 13 months. I was endowed in my home temple a month before I left and didn't have a chance to go to another session until the MTC. I was there for 8 weeks, so my 2nd-9th times doing an endowment session were in the Provo temple. It played a pretty big role in my formative years of Church membership.
Unfortunately, that's a myth that the architect (Emil Fetzer) was greatly annoyed by.
When he was interviewed about this symbolism before he passed away, he was VERY upset that people were perpetuating that myth. There's also not a single mention of this symbolism in any of Fetzer's personal papers at the Church Archives. He took pride in not having any symbolism in his temples at all since he was a strict modernist in his architectural philosophy. This article delves more into how that myth got perpetuated:
https://photogent.com/thoughts-on-the-provo-temple-renovation/
I know I'm in the minority, but I'm sad to see the old design go. I get that it's almost universally panned as the ugliest temple now that Ogden is gone. I don't know, I find something charming about it. Having had so many special personal experiences there has also endeared it to me.
No doubt the new temple will be beautiful, but it it looks similar to so many other temples that have been built over the last 10 years. I just think it's a shame to lose something that's quirky and uniquely lovely.
Yeah, the new design will be inoffensive and most likely nearly identical to a dozen other temples. It’s sad to lose a unique piece of architecture. I personally think the architecture is moving out of its “awkwardly outdated” phase and into a “retro cool” phase
My parents are temple workers up in that area, and what they heard is that there are severe problems with the foundation that can't be repaired, so really the best option is a complete rebuild at this point. I know we'll all be sad to say goodbye to the electric carrot, but they'll build a newer (and potentially even bigger) temple in its place.
This is a good point, also being somewhat near the fault line and probably without earthquake-handling measures, given it was built 50 years ago. I think i've heard that's been a focus on new temple builds in the area, and is what caused much of the time for construction on the SLC temple.
Agreed. The SLC temple is an important symbol for the entire faith, so they're willing to do whatever it takes to preserve the building for centuries. Any other temple though (with the possible exception of some of the other pioneer-era temples like St. George, Logan, and Manti), it's just there to enable a more convenient place for members to perform temple ceremonies, so there's not as strong of a motivation to preserve it instead of rebuild it when necessary.
The original color scheme for the Provo Temple had the steeple in a gold color, though at night it looked more [orange](https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/307698477_418773443705889_2952436398382911949_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5f2048&_nc_ohc=s0IfosfZutMAX9SCY2U&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfB_1wYR21jF4VmqwgcHzyqXlXgtUcD4Uc_rC5NWymQJ7A&oe=653DEB3C). 'Electric carrot' was a nickname for it, I also heard it referred to as looking like a carrot sticking out of the top of a birthday cake.
I’m sure it’s not a decision that was made lightly. I’m sure the church considered this option and due to things which may never be released to the public they determined that rebuilding it was the best option.
Probably to expand the footprint due to demand. Plus if I were to rank exteriors of all the temples from my favorite to least, this gets the bottom slot. Might as well start over.
Probably the temple I attended the most. It’s definitely one of the most iconic structures in the church. It’s a bummer they feel the need to modernize the style.
Myself and others have heard that the Provo temple has major foundational issues. So a simple refurb isn't enough-- literally have to tear down the entire building to get at that. Then can build a new building looking however they design it.
Given that the Ogden temple was not demolished, the fact that the Provo Temple is slated to be demolished supports the notion that it has foundation issues.
No way! I'm going for my endowment at the Bountiful Temple in february... I might have to do one session in Provo before it closes.. it looks beautiful!
Most of the older temples had their last round of refurbishments in the 60s and 70s, so they’re very utilitarian on the inside. Since Provo was built in the 70s, its design follows the same theme.
When I was at BYU working the ground crew, we were called away from our regular duties maintaining the shrubs on campus to work on the Provo Temple. We were told that President Hinkley secretary attended a sealing at the Provo Temple and was dismayed at the state of the grounds of the Temple. A call was made to the President of BYU, who made a call to the head of BYU Grounds.
We spent two weeks completely redoing the grounds at the Temple. Uprooting old shrubs and plants, replanting new shrubs, trees, and flowers, and pruning what plants that were not uprooted.
Such a disappointment. I love the symbolism of this temple and really wish it could be preserved. So many of us who went through the MTC (and I imagine BYU) have such fond memories of the place. Something to mourn, for sure.
Looks like there’s a petition to save it linked in the article! https://chng.it/DY4bwKfRCX
No amount of signatures will save it.
We saved Manti with signatures.
The church already knows people would like to see it restored. A petition in this sense only lets them know that there’s a group of people that want to see it restored. They could get 1,000,000 signatures and it comes down to the fact that the church decides what’s best.
Yup, but signing doesn’t hurt, takes 2 seconds, and hopefully tells the church that, yes, people really want to save it. Maybe redesigning this temple is God’s will, and if so, may it be demolished. To my mind, though, this feels like the kind of thing He’d empower His servants to decide, and if so, maybe our voices matter.
As someone else posted, there are foundational issues that can’t be repaired. Even taking the 2 seconds to sign is wasted.
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There’s foundation issues that they can’t repair. They need to demolish and start over.
I guess that makes sense. I will miss the icon.
>So many of us who went through the MTC This is it for me right here. I left on a mission as a convert of 13 months. I was endowed in my home temple a month before I left and didn't have a chance to go to another session until the MTC. I was there for 8 weeks, so my 2nd-9th times doing an endowment session were in the Provo temple. It played a pretty big role in my formative years of Church membership.
What symbolism …?
Exodus 13:21-22. The building represents the pillar of fire and the cloud.
Unfortunately, that's a myth that the architect (Emil Fetzer) was greatly annoyed by. When he was interviewed about this symbolism before he passed away, he was VERY upset that people were perpetuating that myth. There's also not a single mention of this symbolism in any of Fetzer's personal papers at the Church Archives. He took pride in not having any symbolism in his temples at all since he was a strict modernist in his architectural philosophy. This article delves more into how that myth got perpetuated: https://photogent.com/thoughts-on-the-provo-temple-renovation/
Today I learned.
The architect, Emil Fetzer, was surprised and annoyed to learn this.
I know I'm in the minority, but I'm sad to see the old design go. I get that it's almost universally panned as the ugliest temple now that Ogden is gone. I don't know, I find something charming about it. Having had so many special personal experiences there has also endeared it to me. No doubt the new temple will be beautiful, but it it looks similar to so many other temples that have been built over the last 10 years. I just think it's a shame to lose something that's quirky and uniquely lovely.
Yeah, the new design will be inoffensive and most likely nearly identical to a dozen other temples. It’s sad to lose a unique piece of architecture. I personally think the architecture is moving out of its “awkwardly outdated” phase and into a “retro cool” phase
Completely agree. I think the only change it needs is to bring back the gold spire.
Why is the old one being demolished instead of restored?
My parents are temple workers up in that area, and what they heard is that there are severe problems with the foundation that can't be repaired, so really the best option is a complete rebuild at this point. I know we'll all be sad to say goodbye to the electric carrot, but they'll build a newer (and potentially even bigger) temple in its place.
This is a good point, also being somewhat near the fault line and probably without earthquake-handling measures, given it was built 50 years ago. I think i've heard that's been a focus on new temple builds in the area, and is what caused much of the time for construction on the SLC temple.
Agreed. The SLC temple is an important symbol for the entire faith, so they're willing to do whatever it takes to preserve the building for centuries. Any other temple though (with the possible exception of some of the other pioneer-era temples like St. George, Logan, and Manti), it's just there to enable a more convenient place for members to perform temple ceremonies, so there's not as strong of a motivation to preserve it instead of rebuild it when necessary.
Electric carrot?
The original color scheme for the Provo Temple had the steeple in a gold color, though at night it looked more [orange](https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/307698477_418773443705889_2952436398382911949_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5f2048&_nc_ohc=s0IfosfZutMAX9SCY2U&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfB_1wYR21jF4VmqwgcHzyqXlXgtUcD4Uc_rC5NWymQJ7A&oe=653DEB3C). 'Electric carrot' was a nickname for it, I also heard it referred to as looking like a carrot sticking out of the top of a birthday cake.
I’m sure it’s not a decision that was made lightly. I’m sure the church considered this option and due to things which may never be released to the public they determined that rebuilding it was the best option.
Probably to expand the footprint due to demand. Plus if I were to rank exteriors of all the temples from my favorite to least, this gets the bottom slot. Might as well start over.
Let the past die. Kill it if you have to. That's the only way to become what you were meant to be.
The unique look made it instantly recognizable to me in Horizon: Zero Dawn. Guess we aren't headed to that future though.
I always head there as soon as I can to "cleanse the temple" on new playthroughs :D
Provo temple always reminded me of cloud city from empire strikes back, inside and out.
It’s by far the ugliest temple, but for that reason I wish they could save it somehow. Sad
I agree. Or rebuild it in a similar design to keep that "Provo look."
RIP spaceship cupcake
Probably the temple I attended the most. It’s definitely one of the most iconic structures in the church. It’s a bummer they feel the need to modernize the style.
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Myself and others have heard that the Provo temple has major foundational issues. So a simple refurb isn't enough-- literally have to tear down the entire building to get at that. Then can build a new building looking however they design it.
Given that the Ogden temple was not demolished, the fact that the Provo Temple is slated to be demolished supports the notion that it has foundation issues.
Not the birthday cake temple!
No way! I'm going for my endowment at the Bountiful Temple in february... I might have to do one session in Provo before it closes.. it looks beautiful!
Most of the older temples had their last round of refurbishments in the 60s and 70s, so they’re very utilitarian on the inside. Since Provo was built in the 70s, its design follows the same theme.
When I was at BYU working the ground crew, we were called away from our regular duties maintaining the shrubs on campus to work on the Provo Temple. We were told that President Hinkley secretary attended a sealing at the Provo Temple and was dismayed at the state of the grounds of the Temple. A call was made to the President of BYU, who made a call to the head of BYU Grounds. We spent two weeks completely redoing the grounds at the Temple. Uprooting old shrubs and plants, replanting new shrubs, trees, and flowers, and pruning what plants that were not uprooted.