Salt Lake Temple’s capacity to double with second baptistry, other changes Several decisions about the Salt Lake Temple announced last week by the First Presidency did not get the same attention from media and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as they might have if made separately. First and foremost, the bottom line is that the temple’s capacity will increase dramatically. “We anticipate the temple will be able to accommodate more than double the usual number of patrons,” according to a Q&A document issued along with the church’s news release. Several of the other underreported developments tie into that bottom line: Moving and doubling the baptistry Before the coronavirus pandemic erupted, the baptismal fonts in many Latter-day Saint temples were in high demand. “Temple baptistries are busier than ever. Some temples have even had to adjust their schedules to accommodate the increase in the number of young people attending the temple,” President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, said during the church's April 2016 general conference. The increase in youth doing baptisms for deceased ancestors over the previous decade has led many to ask, “Have church leaders ever thought of adding a second font to a temple?” Of course they have, and last week the First Presidency acted, announcing that an additional font will be added to the historic Salt Lake Temple during the ongoing four-year renovation project. The two baptismal fonts will be located on the lower level of what will be a new temple annex north of the main temple. This is not unusual. Many temple baptistries are located outside temple buildings in annexes and connected by hallways. They are dedicated as part of the temple. Sealing rooms The Salt Lake Temple is also increasing the number of sealing rooms from 13 to 23. The largest of those rooms will accommodate marriage parties up to 75 people. In all, the temple will be able to perform more marriages with more wedding guests. Endowment capacity The big headline last week was that the church is discontinuing the progressive, room-to-room endowments that provided instruction through presentations by live volunteers. Less noticed is the announcement the temple now will have five instruction rooms that can accommodate a total of 750 people, approximately doubling the capacity for endowment ceremonies. It’s also worth noting that before the temple closed for renovation, endowments sessions began once an hour, on the hour. With five instruction rooms, sessions will begin every 20-30 minutes, adding more flexibility for the increased number of temple patrons. The current location of the baptistry will be moved, as noted above, to make room for the two new instruction rooms. |