Date of Award

12-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Art History and Visual Culture

Department

Art

First Advisor

Trenton Olsen

Second Advisor

Nichole Torbitzky

Third Advisor

Brandelyn Andres

Abstract

This paper analyzes the necessary interplay of standardization and localization within the design of Latter-day Saint temples. These buildings are sacred religious structures intended for spiritual growth, learning, and rituals. Previous scholarship has discussed different aspects of various temple designs within the context of contemporary history. These analyses focus on different temples constructed by the LDS Church and how the design of these building was impacted or influenced by contemporaneous events. Prior critical efforts have also focused on symbolic interpretations of motifs incorporated into temple design and criticized the standardization of Latter-day Saint buildings. This scholarship will consider the Brigham City, Utah Latter-day Saint temple itself as a motif that incorporates localization and standardization simultaneously. This incorporation is achieved through the intentional design of the building’s site, landscape, exterior and interior ornamentation, and ritual presentation. The interplay of these two design principles, when purposefully applied to the construction of a sacred space, create physical, spiritual, and global significance.

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