Traces of Time . . .
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"I was mesmerized by Minerva Teichert's
murals when I went to the Manti Temple.
I love history, so I loved her murals."
--Eileen A. Petersen -- 9-17-2023
ALSO THREE TEMPLES DEDICATED ON
SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 (See at end)
Special post for
Minerva Teichert & The Manti Temple Murals
She was given one year to complete the murals . . . she was done in 27 days.
In April 1947, a small grandmother with white hair settled into a motel in Manti, Utah. Despite being fifty-nine years old, Minerva Teichert possessed the energy to rival any of the many farmers in Sanpete County; she could likely outwork many of them. After all, she was the wife of a rancher and dedicated countless hours to tending to the garden, flocks, dairy, and her family's needs. However, for the next month, Minerva Teichert’s focus would shift entirely to a task that even she found daunting—creating expansive murals for the world room of the Manti Temple. Guided by prayer and aided by only one assistant, she adorned four walls, each towering far above her, with scenes that were not only uniquely conceived but also deeply spiritual in their essence. She was given one year to complete the task . . . she was done in 27 days.
Murals of the Manti Temple - Story of Minerva Teichert and the Manti Temple.
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The Manti Temple stands as perhaps the most impeccably conserved illustration of Utah pioneer architecture. Since its dedication in 1888, the same year Minerva Teichert was born, it has stood situated in the rustic expanse of Sanpete Valley. The Manti Temple has endured nearly 140 years with very minimal intervention from contemporary renovations.
Enclosed below is the fundamental layout of the temple, as detailed in Thomas Carter's work titled "Building Zion." This layout faithfully reflects the Manti Temple's original construction. The arrangement remains largely unaltered, with the exception that the designation "Unknown Use" on the second floor is now recognized as sealing rooms (and presumably was originally intended as such), while the passageway on the main floor has been repurposed into locker rooms. Minerva Teichert art of the murals is on the second floor in the World Room.
Considering her deep commitment to both Temple worship and matters of spirituality, it’s no surprise that Minerva Teichert perceived the creation of a mural for a Latter-day Saint temple as both an artistic and religious pinnacle. While she experienced disappointment for not being chosen to paint a mural for the forthcoming Swiss or Los Angeles Temples, opportunities arose when the Church made the decision to revitalize sections of the Manti Temple.
The plaster walls within the garden and world rooms of the Manti Temple had deteriorated to such an extent that the commendable endeavors to preserve those original murals by Danquart Weggeland and C. C. A. Christensen proved unsuccessful. Consequently, the rooms underwent a process of re-plastering, with top-tier sail canvas being affixed to the walls. The refurbishment of the world room was finalized in August 1946. Notably, Robert L. Shepherd of Salt Lake City had completed the garden room murals the year prior, but the walls of the world room still remained unadorned. Feeling the urgency, Minerva started right away. She was given a year to complete the murals, but completed them in 27 days.
Removal of Minerva Teichert’s Murals
In March of 2021, the First Presidency announced extensive renovations planned for the Manti Temple. One significant change involved discontinuing the practice of live endowment sessions. This decision was motivated by the intention to enhance the accessibility of temple sessions by offering them in various languages and at different times throughout the day. Initially, live endowment sessions were only available in English at both the Manti & Salt Lake temples.
To facilitate these modifications, the temple interiors were set to undergo a reconfiguration. This transformation entailed the removal of historical artworks within the temples, including the historic murals painted Minerva Teichert. Several plans were presented on how this could be done. Shortly after the initial announcement, the church released an updated statement concerning the Manti Temple's renovation. The updated statement indicated a commitment to collaborating with art preservation experts to determine the most suitable approach for removing and preserving the Teichert murals, which are affixed to plaster as canvas artworks. The goal was to ensure these murals could be preserved for public viewing.
On May 1, Russell M. Nelson declared a reconsideration of the plans. While the decision to transition to film-based endowment sessions still stood, it was clarified that diligent efforts would be made to safeguard the temple's interior, including its valuable artistic pieces.
Comments (7)
I am so happy future generations will be able to see and feel the spirit these murals bring. Thank you for saving them.
After having endured the complete destruction of the interior of the Logan Temple in 1976 (the only Temple at that point with which I had had personal contact, as that was the only Temple in which I had performed baptisms for the dead -- as a university student -- and my husband had proposed to me on the grounds of that Temple, after which I was endowed there, and my husband and I were also married and sealed there) I didn't want anyone else to have to endure such an emotional loss as the loss of the interior of that Temple was to me; and I also didn't want others to lose Minerva Teichert's amazing murals from the Manti Temple, which my ancestors had helped to build, I was so relieved to hear (after so many of us -- myself included, had pleaded with the Brethren to preserve those murals) that they would be preserved in place!
I feel sad that that didn't happen with the murals in the Salt Lake Temple, but I'm more than joyous that at least the murals in the Manti Temple were preserved!
Being from Los Angeles, my wife and I often attended the Temple in Santa Monica. The wall paintings were always fascinating especially in the world room where some of the familiar desert scenes in Southern California are seen. But because of my responsibilities in the scouting program of our ward, I came to love the desert and the camping experiences with our son, his friends, and other leaders. It wasn't a lone and dreary place for us. However when we moved to Utah, while in the world room of the Manti Temple, I was impressed by Sister Teichert's interpretation of the World. What an inspired presentation. How grateful I am for her abilities to express herself in her art. That experience was a highlight of years of temple attendance to me. I'm glad the Brethren decided to preserve the murals.
God bless Russell M. Nelson..
Loved that Temple when I was assigned to it! But the mural I loved the most was the in the Chapel room. It was a picture of Jesus with handicapped children all around him! Ruth Alley bradshaw
I have seen this art piece many times and never realized these were special needs children.
ALSO THREE TEMPLES DEDICATED ON
SEPTEMBER 17, 2023
All of the murals were so beautiful, and captured the events of the creation of the world and our pioneer heritage. It was a privilege for me too enter the Manti Temple .
Historic Weekend for the Church of Jesus Christ: 3 Temples to Be Dedicated on Same Day
September 15, 2023
It is a big weekend for three cities in the world.The Brasília Brazil Temple, the Bentonville Arkansas Temple and the Moses Lake Washington Temple will all be dedicated on the same day, Sunday, Sept. 17. This marks the first time that three dedications have been scheduled for the same day.
Elder Neil L. Andersen is in Brazil with his wife Kathy to dedicate the Brasília Brazil Temple. He presided over what was the Church’s Brazil South Area in the early 2000s and has accepted many assignments to visit the people in Brazil since.
Elder David A. Bednar will dedicate the Bentonville Arkansas Temple. He and his family have a special connection to the area as they lived in Bentonville for almost 20 years during the 1980s and 1990s.
Elder Quintin L. Cook will preside over the dedication of the Moses Lake Washington Temple.
Scheduling overlap shouldn’t be a surprise as we go forward. The Church has 315 total dedicated, under-construction or announced houses of the Lord.
Kaitlyn is a student at Utah Valley University, where she is studying Public Relations. She served her mission in San Diego California and Chile. Kaitlyn loves sports, country music, being in the mountains and eating chocolate chip cookies.