Authorship and architectural influences on the Salt Lake Temple

The question of ultimate architectural origins for the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a problem that cannot be easily solved as a number of factors enter into the process of initial concept; design, and construction of the building. The solution lies with a combination of architectural influences that affected Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, who in turn transmitted those influences to others employed as superintendents and architects. And even though the architects were able to incorrect prate a number of their own design innovations into the building, it was the President, acting as final authority in all matters whenthere ecclesiastical or architectural, who was basically responsible for temple design. An exhaustive study of Young's life and travels reveals the sources from which that design was conceived. The formulation of the Salt Lake Temple design began in Young's early days as carpenter with novice attempts at architectural planning that prepared him for grander designs set in the future. Called on a mission to England, Young's architectural preparation was reawakened by magnificent medieval structures and their revivalist counterparts observed while traveling abroad. The strength and ele­vation exhibited in the cathedrals and castles of England expressed to Young the ideal style to reflect 19th century Mormon philosophy. So impressed was Young with European medieval architecture that in an effort to insure a similar style in the temple design, he sent Truman O. Angell the "ancients." European form, rather than second-hand American neo-Gothic style was the primary inspiration for the architectural concept of the Salt Lake City. Young gave to Angell such specific information concerning his design concept that it would have been difficult for any other style than "Gothic-Gothic adaptationl1 to emerge. Yet, Angell sought to create a design different from any other in existence. He, however, had to do this while drawing heavily upon the basic design of an earlier Mormon Temple at Nauvoo for the main body of the new building. He also had to incorporate Young's specific six tower concept for Salt Lake, this leaving him to disguise both contributions with unifying string courses, window variations, multi-leveled towers capped by spires, parapets, and a heavy and complicated system of but- tresses to insure medieval character. The finished structure can be architecturally evaluated only after due consideration of 19th century Mormon philosophy, the circumstances under which it was constructed and the function it was to serve. With all factors considered, the Salt Lake Temple becomes a valid architectural manifestation despite some glaring design solutions.