Dear Gramps
I’m a host and tour guide on temple square. Many guests ask this same question. “Why is the angel Moroni always facing East when placed the temples?” Also the corner stone is always placed on the South East side. Could you please help answer this question. I enjoy reading your site & have learned answers to many question asked during my tours. Thanks for your help. I also thank you for answering a very personal question asked a few weeks ago concerning my deceased mother. May God bless you.

Joann from South Ogden, Utah

Dear Joann,

Below is the answer to a similar question about the facing direction of the Angel Moroni on the temples of the Mormon Church.

“No two temples are alike, and not all those that are crowned with the Angel Moroni have him pointed in the same direction. Most of the statues of Moroni atop the temples point to the east, which is the direction from which the Savior will come when he will appear in the clouds of heaven, clothed with power and great glory. I imagine local landscape and aesthetics have a lot to do with changing the statue to another direction, but I wouldn’t try read too much significance in such architectural details.”

The order of placement of the cornerstones on the temples in the Mormon Church is given by the Prophet Joseph Smith, as found in Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, compiled by Alma P. Burton, p.300

If the strict order of the priesthood were carried out in the building of temples, the first stone would be laid at the southeast corner, by the First Presidency of the Church. The southwest corner should be laid next. The third, or northwest corner next; and the fourth, or northeast corner last. The First Presidency should lay the southeast cornerstone and dictate who are the proper persons to lay the other cornerstones.

Gramps