On the first day of welcoming people of all faiths into their temple for nearly a half-century, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints leaders emphasized that the beguiling building itself did not represent the temple’s true beauty. That was to be found instead in the hearts of the people who worshipped there.

But for the many people who use the Kensington, MD’s temple’s iconic spires as a Beltway landmark, what lies inside the edifice has long been a source of curiosity. And from April 28 through June 11, members of the public can sate that interest during the temple’s open house.

The mid-century castle-like building, swathed in nearly 200,000 square feet of Alabama white marble, has an interior with similar grandiosity.

Visitors can expect a large baptismal font atop a decoration of a dozen oxen, designed to represent the 12 tribes of Israel. This is where members baptize ancestors who did not have the chance to join the church during their lifetime. (Posthumous baptisms help explain the importance of genealogy in the LDS Church.)

One space, called the Celestial Room, is designed to reflect the serenity of heaven — there are no ceremonies there. Instead, visitors sit in silence, taking in the humongous, angular chandeliers that cast light throughout the room.

The building’s winding staircase is bisected by a long mosaic of stained glass that stretches from the ground floor to the top of the temple (while this glass is technically on the exterior of the temple, it’s only visible at a close range). At the base, the colors are darker and warmer, and the glass is thicker, letting less light in. As one climbs the stairs, the colors grow into lighter blues and purples. Like many of the design elements, it is intended to lead visitors upward with their eyes and intentions.

The church invited members of the media and influencers to take tours on Monday, donning little booties that cover their shoes, as part of a broader effort to spread the word about the months-long event.

“We want as many as possible to come see and feel the spirit of the temple,” says Kent Colton, who alongside his wife Kathryn serves as the open house committee chair. He was the president of the temple from 2014-2020.

It has been closed for renovations and a modernization effort since 2018. The pandemic delayed initial plans for a 2020 open house and rededication.

Like all LDS temples, the building is generally only open to Mormons. Church Elder Gerrit Gong likens the temples to graduate schools — while the church’s meeting houses, where Sunday services are held, are open to anyone, it takes time and dedication to earn entrance to the sacred temple space.

That’s because the temple is the site of ceremonies, called ordinances, like the aforementioned baptisms for deceased ancestors, as well as sealing ceremonies, which bind people together for eternity. (One of the main tenets of Mormonism is the promise that families can be together forever.) To transition from outside, members shed their regular clothing in favor of uniform, simple white clothing at the temple.

Before it closed in 2018, the D.C. temple regularly saw thousands of Mormons come each week, says Colton. About 150,000 members of the church are part of the temple district, which includes D.C., Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia. When it opened in 1974, it was the 16th temple. Now, there are 173 in operation across the globe, speaking to the rapid growth of the religion.

While the temple has only been open to the public once before, in 1974, there’s typically a drive-through festival of lights on the grounds each Christmas.

According to the church, that first open house saw more than 750,000 visitors, around 75,000 of which became missionary referrals.

But Colton says that, while the church has missionaries around the world and “we’re anxious to tell people about the church because we love it,” the open house is not intended as a proselytizing activity.

“The purpose of this is just to open our doors and remove any mystery that people might have,” he says. “It’s been 48 years since it was opened now, so that’s really what the open house is about. But then it’s up to them — if they want to know [more], great.”

The open house runs from April 28 — June 11, 2022 daily (excluding Sundays) from 9 a.m. — 9 p.m. While it is free, people planning to park their vehicle at the temple will need parking tickets, and those using the metro shuttle require shuttle tickets. Those arriving on foot, by bike, or getting dropped off do not need any tickets. 

Previously:
The Mormon Temple On The Beltway Is Finally Opening To The Public Next Spring
For The First Time In A Generation, The Mormon Temple Will Open To The Public
At Long Last, Visitors Will Be Able To Peek Inside Mormon Temple