From Largest To Smallest: The Biggest LDS Temples In Order
- 01. From largest to smallest: the biggest LDS temples in order
- 02. Important context and sources
- 03. Largest temples by floor area
- 04. Illustrative data table
- 05. Frequently asked questions
- 06. Historical context and methodology
- 07. Notes on data validity
- 08. Contextual takeaway for readers
- 09. Appendix: alternative size metrics
- 10. FAQ
- 11. Closing note
From largest to smallest: the biggest LDS temples in order
The largest Latter-day Saints temples by total floor area, in descending order, are the Salt Lake Temple, Los Angeles California Temple, and Washington DC Temple, followed by several Utah and international temples in the 100,000-150,000 square-foot tier. This ranking reflects official floor-area measurements and commonly cited public statistics as of the early 2020s, with ongoing expansions and renovations occasionally reshuffling exact figures. Temple size is typically reported in square feet and includes all usable floor space across sanctuaries, classrooms, sealing rooms, and assembly halls.
Important context and sources
Temple footprint data comes from a mix of church publications, temple-tracking sites, and archival references. The Salt Lake Temple remains the historical anchor at well over a quarter-million square feet, while newer megaptemples push into the 190,000-150,000 square-foot range. Data accuracy hinges on whether renovations add or remove space and whether certain portions are treated as ancillary versus core temple facilities. This article consolidates widely cited figures to present a clear ordering that aligns with the best-known public records.
Largest temples by floor area
- Salt Lake Temple - approximately 253,000 square feet. This is widely recognized as the largest LDS temple by floor area and has served as a central symbol of the church for decades.
- Los Angeles California Temple - about 190,600 square feet. Historically the second-largest temple, its expansive footprint reflects multiple sealing rooms and assembly spaces.
- Washington DC Temple - around 156,600 square feet. A major east-coast complex with a substantial size for ceremonies and instruction.
- Jordan River Utah Temple - roughly 148,200 square feet. A landmark temple in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area with extensive facilities.
- St. George Utah Temple - in the 140,000-142,000 square-foot range. A historically significant temple in southern Utah with a sizable complex.
- Provo Utah Temple - about 130,000 square feet. A central hub for the rapidly growing Utah Valley region.
- Logan Utah Temple - roughly 119,600 square feet. A long-standing temple with substantial space for ordinances and instruction.
- Mexico City Mexico Temple - approximately 116,600 square feet. One of the largest international temples in Latin America by footprint.
- Ogden Utah Temple - around 112,000 square feet. Part of the Wasatch Front's temple network with wide-ranging facilities.
- Seattle Washington Temple - about 110,000 square feet. A prominent Pacific Northwest temple with a large footprint.
Illustrative data table
| Rank | Temple | Location | Approx. Floor Area (sq ft) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salt Lake Temple | Salt Lake City, UT, USA | 253,000 | Historical centerpiece; renovation ongoing at times |
| 2 | Los Angeles California Temple | Los Angeles, CA, USA | 190,600 | Second-largest globally; acclaimed for campus-style expansion |
| 3 | Washington DC Temple | Kensington, MD, USA | 156,600 | East Coast ceremonial hub; extensive facilities |
| 4 | Jordan River Utah Temple | South Jordan, UT, USA | 148,200 | Major regional center; modernized interiors |
| 5 | St. George Utah Temple | St. George, UT, USA | 142,000 | Historically significant; iconic desert setting |
| 6 | Provo Utah Temple | Provo, UT, USA | 130,000 | Strategic for Utah Valley demographics |
| 7 | Logan Utah Temple | Logan, UT, USA | 119,600 | Longstanding regional anchor |
| 8 | Mexico City Mexico Temple | Ciudad de México, Mexico | 116,600 | Largest in Latin America by footprint |
| 9 | Ogden Utah Temple | Ogden, UT, USA | 112,000 | Key Wasatch Front temple complex |
| 10 | Seattle Washington Temple | Federal Way, WA, USA | 110,000 | Pacific Northwest presence; scenic grounds |
Frequently asked questions
Historical context and methodology
Temple size has long been used as a proxy for ceremonial and instructional capacity within the LDS Church, with larger temples hosting more sealing rooms, instruction rooms, and baptismal fonts. The Salt Lake Temple's era-defining status owes to its early 20th-century expansion and subsequent modernization work, while the Los Angeles and Washington DC temples reflect strategic growth in key metropolitan areas. Comparative methodology typically involves aggregating publicly reported square footage from official temple pages, church publications, and third-party compilations to generate an ordered list.
Notes on data validity
Because temple reporting can vary by source and renovation status, the precise ranking may differ slightly between lists published at different times. Where discrepancies exist, the figure cited most consistently across authoritative sources is given priority, with caveats noted for potential renovation impacts. Editorial transparency about measurement definitions helps readers understand why two adjacent temples might appear next to each other in some lists but swap positions in others.
Contextual takeaway for readers
For researchers and enthusiasts, the ordering of temples by floor area offers a lens into the church's historical and contemporary growth strategies, especially in urban hubs like Los Angeles and Washington DC, as well as regional centers in Utah and Mexico. The largest temples symbolize not only architectural ambition but also demographic and missionary reach in different eras of church expansion. Demographic shifts over time often correlate with temple size adjustments, as congregations grow and travel patterns evolve.
Appendix: alternative size metrics
In addition to square footage, some sources report volume or interior cubic capacity, number of rooms, or total building footprint. While these metrics can provide supplementary context, they are less standardized across temples and thus less reliable for strict ordering. Cross-mourced metrics like the number of sealing rooms and instruction rooms can offer nuanced comparisons beyond raw square footage.
FAQ
Closing note
As the Church continues to expand internationally, the ranking by size may evolve with new temples and renovations. Readers seeking the most current figures should consult the latest temple announcements and dedicated size-tracking compilations that regularly update square-footage data. Continual updates help maintain an accurate, apples-to-apples comparison across the global temple landscape.
Expert answers to From Largest To Smallest The Biggest Lds Temples In Order queries
[Question]What is the largest LDS temple by total floor area?
The Salt Lake Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah, is widely recognized as the largest LDS temple by floor area, clocking in around 253,000 square feet. This landmark has been a symbol of the church for over a century and remains the baseline reference point for size comparisons.
[Question]Which temples are the next three largest after Salt Lake and Los Angeles?
After the Salt Lake Temple, the Los Angeles California Temple, and the Washington DC Temple occupy the next two positions in most published size rankings, with floor areas estimated around 190,600 sq ft and 156,600 sq ft respectively, depending on the specific measurement source and whether renovations are included.
[Question]Do all large temples reside in the United States?
No. While many of the largest temples are in the United States, several international temples sit in the upper tiers of floor-area measurements, notably the Mexico City Temple at around 116,600 square feet, reflecting the Church's global expansion.
[Question]Have any temples recently undergone space expansion or renovation that affects their rankings?
Yes. Numerous temples have expansions or renovations that modify usable floor area, potentially altering their ranking in the list. For example, major renovation programs at longtime temples periodically reallocate space for new sealings, instruction rooms, and visitor facilities, which can shift the exact square-foot figures.
[Question]What is the second biggest LDS temple?
Historically, the Los Angeles California Temple has been cited as the second-largest temple by floor area, following the Salt Lake Temple, with estimates around 190,600 square feet.
[Question]Are there plans to build still-larger temples in the future?
There have been discussions and proposals related to new temple projects in growing regions; however, approved projects depend on church leadership decisions, regional demand, and logistical feasibility.
