There are some times where, for whatever reason, a statue will be placed facing one direction, then turned to face another at a latter point in time. Here are three such stories.
Los Angeles
A Quick look at a satellite image or a map will show you that the Los Angeles Temple was built facing generally South East, towards Sunset Boulevard, which it was constructed on. At the direction of the Architect, Edward O. Anderson, the statue was placed on the temple facing the same direction as the front door.
However, President David O. McKay, then president of the Church, had other ideas. After the statue was settled, he directed that it should be taken out and turned 90 degrees counter clockwise. The statue now faces North East, with the Trumpet facing due east.
This particular statue rotation, being the second statue ever placed, has led to a belief that all Angel Statues must face east, as the statue was rotated to an eastward direction similar to the Salt Lake Temple Statue.
Millard Malin, in his autobiography states that the statue was rotated for a different, and very specific reason. Malin says that that once the statue was placed, it was found that when observing the temple from the Visitors Center the statue had his back directly to visitors. He says the statue was rotated 90 degrees, specifically, so the statue would present a better view to the Visitors Center as well as those approaching the temple from the front.[1]Malin, Millard Fillmore 1891-1975. Millard F. Malin autobiographical sketch, circa 1966, (accessed: August 8, 2019)
In his book More Faith Than Fear: The Los Angeles Stake Story Author Chad M. Orton relates a story of a neighbor of the temple construction that is oft repeated with varied details. According to Orton:
The story was told of a neighbor who lived east of the temple and who was asked if she had visited the temple grounds. She replied, “No, I’m waiting until the angel turns around and faces me.” She later said, “Imagine my surprise when I woke up one morning and discovered that the angel was looking right down my street.”
Some versions of the story indicate the neighbor joined the church due to the coincidence, but so far there is no documented evidence to prove that.
Johannesburg South Africa
When the Angel Moroni statue was installed upon the east most spire late in August or September of 1984, it was placed in line with the east most face of the spire it sat upon, placing it facing East North East.
Shortly after placement, the Architect requested it be turned 90 degrees to face Johannesburg. Unfortunately, the angel had been glued into place. In order to accommodate the move, the Temple Engineer had to crawl into the hollow space inside the spire tower, and loosen the bolts holding the top, white portion of the spire in place. Then a crane was able to lift both the spire top and the Angel together, and both were rotated 90 degrees and lowered back into place.[2]ASEA Church History Office, “Photo History of the Temple Construction,” Africase.LDS.org, accessed 25 Mar 2016. Internet Archive Link
Spokane Washington
The Angel Moroni at the Spokane Washington Temple was originally placed on 21 April 1999. Like many other temples, the statue on this temple was placed facing east. However, the doors on the temple face west. Consequently, this angel, like some others, faced away from patrons as they entered the temple. While this is not typically an issue, the shortness of this temple made it more apparent, and President Gordon B. Hinckley requested the statue be turned to face west during a replacement in May of 2009.[3]Scott, “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – Temple Architecture Myths,” thetrumpetstone.blogspot.com, 13 March 2011.
Snowflake Arizona
Like the Spokane Temple before it the Snowflake Arizona Temple had an angel Moroni placed to face east. The statue was placed atop the temple, itself perched on a hill outside of the city it is named after, on 21 July of 2001. Like many other temples where the angel faces east but the temple does not, the Angel Moroni had his back to the front door, which is on the west side of the temple. In March of 2017, when the temple closed for an extended maintenance and cleaning period, the statue was replaced with a refurbished statue, this time turned to face west, effectively greeting patrons as they arrive.[4]Marvin Quist phone call to temple recorder, 9 November 2017
It should be noted that, even though Spokane and Snowflake have had their statues rotated to face the front entrance, there are plenty of others that still face away from the entrance, including Mount Timpanogos, in which the statue faces east and the entrance is to the west, and Reno, which like Spokane is a small temple facing west, but with an east facing statue.
Chapter 5 Navigation
References
| ↑1 | Malin, Millard Fillmore 1891-1975. Millard F. Malin autobiographical sketch, circa 1966, (accessed: August 8, 2019) |
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| ↑2 | ASEA Church History Office, “Photo History of the Temple Construction,” Africase.LDS.org, accessed 25 Mar 2016. Internet Archive Link |
| ↑3 | Scott, “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – Temple Architecture Myths,” thetrumpetstone.blogspot.com, 13 March 2011. |
| ↑4 | Marvin Quist phone call to temple recorder, 9 November 2017 |