About the Los Angeles Temple

The Los Angeles California temple, dedicated in March of 1956 was the tenth temple to be dedicated after the pioneers came west. It was the first temple to be built in California and is one of the largest and most beautiful Mormon temples on earth. One of the most impressive aspects of the Los Angeles temple is its location. Located on Santa Monica Blvd, it is amazing to see this large, beautifully landscaped building in the middle of a busy city. I remember a funny billboard that was across the street. It was an advertisement for the old King Kong movie. It said, “Kong, bigger than the Mormon temple!” It is a beautiful place to come walk, with its pristine gardens and calming atmosphere. There is also a fantastic visitors center where you can enjoy video showings and occasional fine arts presentations. The temple is a joy to visit during the Christmas season in the evening when it is lit up with Christmas lights and full of Christmas cheer. They traditionally have a manger scene and Christmas music playing around the temple.