Whats that figure atop LDS temples?
It’s the angel Moroni Idaho Statesman 09/06/08 My July column dealt with the role of the temple in the LDS faith, and included an invitation to tour the new temple in Twin Falls prior to its dedication in mid-August. Some readers have shared impressions of their attendance at the temple open house. In doing so, more than one has asked about the gold angel on the spire of the temple. First of all, the figure does not represent the angel Gabriel – even though it is blowing a horn. And, yes, it is an angel – even though it does not have wings. It represents Moroni, who is the son of Mormon, the compiler and abridger of the Book of Mormon. Moroni was the last of the Book of Mormon prophets and the last keeper of the records of the Nephites, a people who lived in the Americas. His presence atop the temple is symbolic and reflects his role in preserving the records of his people and then, 16 centuries later, delivering them to Joseph Smith. The Book of Mormon is Joseph Smith’s translation of
