Visitor Insights
Visiting Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple
The Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple grounds are open to the public, offering a peaceful environment for quiet contemplation. While the temple interior is reserved for members with a current temple recommend, visitors are welcome to enjoy the beautifully landscaped gardens and exterior views.
Highlights
- Enjoy the tranquil, tropical landscaping and reflection pool.
- View the distinctive Neoclassical-inspired architecture and the Angel Moroni statue.
Things to Know
- There is no dedicated public visitors' center at this location.
- The interior of the temple is not accessible to the general public.
Location
3901 SW 154th Ave, Davie, FL 33331, USA
Hours: Grounds open daily from dawn to dusk.
Getting There: Located in Davie, Florida, accessible by car with ample parking available on site.
Get DirectionsAbout
The Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple stands as a sacred edifice in Davie, near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, serving members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As the 143rd operating temple of the Church worldwide, it holds deep spiritual significance within the Christian theological grouping of the Abrahamic traditions.
Dedicated in 2014, the temple's architecture blends classic modern design with traditional Latter-day Saint elements, featuring a distinctive white exterior and a single spire topped with the angel Moroni statue. Its interior reflects the tropical Florida environment through a unique color palette and motifs.
The temple provides a place for members to participate in sacred ordinances and make covenants with God, strengthening their faith and commitment to Jesus Christ. Its presence in South Florida offers a spiritual sanctuary for approximately 25,000 Church members from the region, including the Florida Keys and the Bahamas.
Gallery
Symbolic Elements
The temple's exterior features intricate carvings, each rich with spiritual meaning:
Angel Moroni Statue
Perched atop the spire, the golden statue of the angel Moroni symbolizes the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Single Spire
The temple's spire draws the eye heavenward, symbolizing the aspiration of Latter-day Saints to look to God and Jesus Christ.
Arches
A series of elegant arches leads to the main entrance, a common architectural feature in sacred structures.
Long Grass Leaf Motif
The interior design incorporates a motif of a long grass leaf, reflecting the tropical Florida environment and connecting the sacred with local nature.
Baptistry
This sacred room houses a baptismal font resting on twelve oxen, used for baptisms for the dead, a vicarious ordinance.
Celestial Room
Representing a return to God's presence, the celestial room is a space for quiet contemplation and spiritual reflection.
Sealing Rooms
In these rooms, eternal marriages and family sealings are performed, uniting families for time and all eternity.
Reflection Pool
Fountains and a reflection pool on the grounds enhance the tranquil setting, inviting peaceful contemplation.
Interesting Facts
The Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple is the 143rd operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worldwide (Tier A).
It is the second temple built in Florida, following the Orlando Florida Temple, dedicated in 1994 (Tier A).
The temple serves approximately 25,000 Church members from congregations in South Florida, including the Florida Keys and the Bahamas (Tier A).
In 2014, the temple project received the ENR Southeast's 'Best Projects' award in the Cultural/Worship category (Tier B).
The temple building includes a 5,000-square-foot basement, an unusual feature for some temple designs (Tier C).
The interior's color scheme and the distinctive long grass leaf motif were specifically chosen to reflect the tropical environment of Florida (Tier C).
The angel Moroni statue was installed on October 24, 2012, marking a significant construction milestone (Tier A).
During the cultural celebration before the dedication, a mosaic of Jesus Christ was unveiled, created from temple photos submitted by local Church members (Tier C).
At the time of its dedication, it was the southernmost temple in the contiguous 48 United States, a distinction it held until 2023 (Tier C).
Common Questions
What is the architectural style of the Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple?
The temple features a Neoclassical-inspired architectural style, blending classic modern design with traditional elements.
Is the Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple open to the public?
The temple grounds are open to the public, but the interior is reserved for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
What is the significance of the Angel Moroni statue on the spire?
The Angel Moroni statue symbolizes the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth in the latter days.
How many temples are there in Florida?
The Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple is one of two operating temples in Florida, the other being the Orlando Florida Temple.
What is the primary purpose of a Latter-day Saint temple?
Temples serve as sacred spaces where members make covenants with God and perform ordinances that bind families together for eternity.
Featured Stories
A Decade of Dedication in Florida
May 4, 2014
The dedication of the Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf marked a significant milestone for Latter-day Saints in South Florida. This sacred event brought joy and spiritual renewal to thousands, solidifying the temple's role as a spiritual anchor in the community.
Source: The Church News
United by Our Faith: A Cultural Celebration
May 3, 2014
On the eve of the temple's dedication, 1,200 youth participated in 'United by Our Faith,' a vibrant cultural celebration at Nova Southeastern University. Their performances beautifully reflected the rich history of the Church in southern Florida, fostering unity and excitement among members.
Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
A Glimpse Inside: The Public Open House
March 29 - April 19, 2014
Before its dedication, the Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple opened its doors to the public, welcoming tens of thousands of visitors, including Florida Governor Rick Scott. This open house provided a unique opportunity for people of all faiths to tour the sacred interior and learn about its purpose.
Source: ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org
Timeline
Temple Announced
President Thomas S. Monson announced the intent to build a temple in Fort Lauderdale during general conference.
component.timeline.announcementLocation Disclosed
The specific 30-acre triangular parcel in Davie was announced as the temple site.
MilestoneTown Council Approval
Final approval for the temple project was received from the Town Council.
MilestoneGroundbreaking Ceremony
Elder Walter F. González presided over the groundbreaking ceremony, marking the official start of construction.
component.timeline.groundbreakingAngel Moroni Installed
The statue of the angel Moroni was placed atop the temple's spire, a significant construction milestone.
MilestoneMedia Tours Conducted
Media representatives were invited to tour the temple's interior prior to the public open house.
EventPublic Open House Begins
A public open house commenced, allowing tens of thousands of visitors to tour the temple's interior.
EventPublic Open House Concludes
The successful public open house period for the temple concluded.
EventCultural Celebration Held
A cultural celebration, 'United by Our Faith,' featuring 1,200 youth, took place at Nova Southeastern University.
EventTemple Dedicated
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf dedicated the Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple in three sessions.
DedicationHistory by Decade
2000s — Announcement of a New Temple
The vision for a temple in Fort Lauderdale began to take shape in the late 2000s. On October 3, 2009, President Thomas S. Monson announced the Church's intent to build a temple in the area, bringing great anticipation to local members.
2010s — Construction and Dedication
The 2010s saw the rapid development of the temple, from the disclosure of its specific Davie location in May 2010 to the groundbreaking ceremony in June 2011. Construction progressed steadily, culminating in the installation of the Angel Moroni statue in October 2012. The temple then opened its doors for a public open house in March 2014, followed by a cultural celebration and its dedication by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf on May 4, 2014.
Architecture & Facilities
The Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple showcases a Neoclassical-inspired architectural style, which thoughtfully blends classic modern design principles with traditional Latter-day Saint temple elements. This approach results in a structure that is both contemporary and timeless, characterized by its clean lines, balanced proportions, and a dignified presence that harmonizes with its tropical Florida setting. The design incorporates elegant arches and columns, culminating in a single, graceful spire.
Building Materials
Exterior
The temple's exterior is constructed with precast integral colored concrete panels, providing a distinctive white appearance that withstands the Florida climate.
Windows
Window elements utilize a hot-rolled steel system, designed to meet stringent Florida Building Code impact requirements while maintaining aesthetic integrity.
Interior Wood
Red grandis wood from Ecuador was used extensively for the interior millwork, contributing to the temple's warm and refined atmosphere.
Interior Stone
Interior stones include crema marfil marble, gasgone beige limestone, and lady onyx, adding luxurious and natural textures throughout the sacred spaces.
Interior Finishes
High-end finishes such as Venetian plaster, gold leaf trim, and stenciled decorations adorn the interior, creating an atmosphere of reverence and beauty.
Interior Features
Instruction Rooms
These rooms are designed for teaching and covenant making, featuring detailed millwork and hand-painted wall murals.
Sealing Rooms
Three sealing rooms provide sacred spaces for eternal marriage and family ordinances, adorned with elegant furnishings and finishes.
Baptistry
The baptistry houses a beautiful baptismal font, supported by twelve oxen, used for vicarious baptisms for the dead.
Celestial Room
A central feature, the celestial room offers a serene and contemplative environment, symbolizing a return to God's presence.
Color Palette
The interior design incorporates a motif of a long grass leaf and a color palette of blue, green, and earth tones, reflecting the tropical Florida environment.
Lighting
Elegant chandeliers by Schonbek Lighting illuminate the interior spaces, enhancing the temple's spiritual ambiance.
Temple Grounds
Situated on 16.82 acres, the temple grounds are meticulously landscaped with a variety of palm trees, vibrant flowers, and lush shrubs. Fountains and a reflection pool enhance the tranquil setting, and a large pond is located just outside the west area of the temple grounds, creating a peaceful and inviting atmosphere for visitors.
Additional Facilities
The temple property includes ancillary buildings for temple operations and patron support, but there is no dedicated public visitors' center on site.
Religious Significance
Within the broader Christian tradition, Latter-day Saint temples serve as sacred spaces where members make covenants with God and perform ordinances that bind families together for eternity. The Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple, like all Latter-day Saint temples, incorporates various symbolic elements and sacred practices that deepen this spiritual meaning, all centered on the teachings and atonement of Jesus Christ.
The core spiritual purpose of the temple is to provide a dedicated house of the Lord where members can participate in sacred ordinances, receive divine instruction, and make solemn covenants with God, thereby strengthening their relationship with the Savior and preparing for eternal life.
Sacred Ordinances
Baptism for the Dead
Members perform vicarious baptisms on behalf of their deceased ancestors, offering them the opportunity to accept the gospel in the spirit world.
Endowment
The endowment is a series of instructions and covenants that provide members with greater knowledge of God's plan of salvation and empower them to live righteously.
Sealing
Eternal marriages and family sealings are performed, uniting husbands, wives, and children for time and all eternity, based on the belief in eternal families.
Covenants and Blessings
The temple is a place where individuals enter into sacred covenants with God, promising to live according to His commandments. In return, they receive divine blessings, guidance, and strength to navigate the challenges of life and progress on the path back to His presence.
Eternal Families
A central doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the belief in eternal families. The temple provides the sacred space where families can be sealed together for eternity, emphasizing the enduring nature of familial bonds beyond mortal life.
Sources & Research
Every fact on Temples.org is backed by verified Sources & Research. Each piece of information is rated by source tier and confidence level.
View All Sources (8)
| Field | Source | Tier | Retrieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| About & Historical Background | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (opens in a new tab) | A | 2024-07-29 |
| About & Historical Background | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org (opens in a new tab) | C | 2024-07-29 |
| Architectural Description | ENR (Engineering News-Record) (opens in a new tab) | B | 2024-07-29 |
| Historical Timeline & Dedication | The Church News (opens in a new tab) | B | 2024-07-29 |
| Symbolic Elements & Interior Design | LDS Temple Pics (opens in a new tab) | B | 2024-07-29 |
| Visitor Information | Photogent (opens in a new tab) | B | 2024-07-29 |
| Interesting Facts | Zwick Construction (opens in a new tab) | B | 2024-07-29 |
| Interesting Facts & Architecture | Latter-day Saint Temples Wiki (Fandom) (opens in a new tab) | B | 2024-07-29 |