Seoul Korea Temple
The Seoul Korea Temple is the 37th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
| Seoul Korea Temple | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | 37 | |||
| Dedication | 14 December 1985, by Gordon B. Hinckley | |||
| Site | 1 acre (0.40 ha) | |||
| Floor area | 28,057 sq ft (2,606.6 m2) | |||
| Height | 112 ft (34 m) | |||
| Official website • News & images | ||||
| Church chronology | ||||
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| Additional information | ||||
| Announced | 1 April 1981 | |||
| Groundbreaking | 9 May 1983, by Marvin J. Ashton | |||
| Open house | 26 November 26 - 7 December 1985 | |||
| Designed by | Church A&E Services and Komerican Architects | |||
| Location | Seoul, South Korea | |||
| Exterior finish | Granite exterior | |||
| Temple design | Modern adaptation of six-spire design | |||
| Ordinance rooms | 1 (class rooms) | |||
| Sealing rooms | 3 | |||
| Clothing rental | no | |||
| Visitors' center | yes | |||
| () | ||||
Coordinates: 37°33′32.24519″N 126°55′52.68360″E / 37.5589569972°N 126.9313010000°E
History
The first member of the church in South Korea was baptized in 1951. At that time Korea was in the midst of a war against Communist armies, with the UN intervening. Latter-day Saint servicemen from the United States were the first to bring the LDS Church's teachings to the area.
The first church's missionaries arrived in South Korea in 1954. Some years later, church apostle Boyd K. Packer was assigned to travel to South Korea and find a place in which to build a temple. After considering several locations, Packer eventually chose the property which the church had purchased almost two decades earlier. In 1981, the announcement was made for a temple in Seoul.
Gordon B. Hinckley, of the church's First Presidency, dedicated the Seoul Korea Temple on December 14, 1985.[1] The temple's walls feature Korean granite with six white spires. A traditional, tiled "hundred-year roof" gives the temple a uniquely Korean appearance. Inside, the temple is decorated with delicate brush paintings, intricate wooden molding, silk wall coverings, gold leaf, dome chandeliers, and white lacquer furniture inlaid with mother of pearl.[citation needed]
After the temple was dedicated, a subway system was built in conjunction with the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. The system included a line that ended right at the base of the hill upon which the temple was built, making the temple even more accessible for church members.
The temple is located near what is today Sinchon Station on the Seoul Subway Line 2. This station is located near four major South Korean universities: Yonsei University, Hongik University, Ewha Womans University, and Sogang University.
The Seoul Korea Temple has a total of 28,057 square feet (2,606.6 m2), four ordinance rooms, and three sealing rooms.
In 2020, like all the church's other temples, the Seoul Korea Temple was closed temporarily during the year in response to the coronavirus pandemic.[2]
Presidents
Notable presidents of the temple include Spencer J. Palmer (1988–90) and Han In Sang (1996–2000). As of November 2019, the temple president is Chiwon Kim.[citation needed]
See also
- Comparison of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by geographic region
- Temple architecture (Latter-day Saints)
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in South Korea
References
- ^ "'Temple is the most peaceful place in the world'", Deseret News, 26 December 1998. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.
- ^ Stack, Peggy Fletcher. "All Latter-day Saint temples to close due to coronavirus", The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 March 2020. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.
External links
- Seoul Korea Temple Official site
- Seoul Korea Temple at ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org