Moroni statue removed from Idaho Falls LDS Temple
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IDAHO FALLS — For the first time since 1983, the Angel Moroni statue atop the Idaho Falls Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ temple in Idaho Falls is lying down.
Construction crews removed the gold-plated statue Wednesday morning as part of the temple’s renovation.
Workers tells EastIdahoNews.com the statue will now receive a new coat of gold plating in a “long, difficult process.” The goal is to have Moroni looking shiny and back in place by the time public tours of the temple begin Apr. 22.
Steve Poulsen, a local spokesman for the church, tells EastIdahoNews.com the statue could be back on the temple by April 12.
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Crews used a large crane to remove the statue, which was installed using a helicopter in September 1983. The statue is 13 feet long and it sits on top of the temple, which is 143 feet tall, Poulsen said.
There are six versions of the Angel Moroni statue used on temples throughout the world. The statue mold used for the one in Idaho Falls is also used for the Moroni statues on two other Mormon temples: Atlanta Georgia and Boston Massachusetts.
Moroni is a prophet in the Book of Mormon and the trumpet, which is held in Moroni’s right hand, symbolizes the spreading of the gospel and the Second Coming of Christ, according to the church.
On March 16, 2015, the Idaho Falls Temple closed for an extensive renovation. It will be rededicated on Sunday, June 4, following a four-week public open house.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated the height of the Idaho Falls Temple. That error has been corrected. EastIdahoNews.com apologizes for the error.