Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Beautiful illustrations and interesting facts about each of the 150 LDS temples across the globe are compiled into one recently published book.
Author and artist Chad Hawkins said he has visited, researched, illustrated and written books about the temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for more than 20 years.
Deseret Book released Hawkins’ seventh book, “Temples of the New Millennium,” at the beginning of March, he said.
“I have written a very in-depth history on all 150 temples, so it’s literally … organized in chronological order, starting with St. George and ending with the historic Provo City Center Temple,” Hawkins said. “I’ve illustrated every one, which in and of itself is kind of a great accomplishment in my life.”
The artist began painting temples as an 18-year-old to try to save money for his LDS mission to Frankfurt.
Included in his temple artwork are hidden images. He said in his illustration of the Provo City Center Temple is the original Provo Tabernacle.
Inside his book are interesting facts about temples, including the fact that “the Copenhagen Denmark Temple was built out of an existing chapel that was used as a public bomb shelter during World War II,” according to Hawkins.
“I’ve interviewed hundreds of people who’ve built and ... been associated directly with the temple, and one of my favorite questions to ask people around the world — through translators, often times — I would ask them, ‘Tell me one thing that is unique about your temple,'” Hawkins said. “They almost all know something, and they’re always anxious to share it.”
Hawkins has sold 2 million works of art, and some of his art is featured inside LDS temples and on 16 temples’ cornerstones, he said.
“I feel very, very fortunate and blessed that I get to draw and paint something that I care so much about,” Hawkins said. “And so to be able to combine my passion for art with my reverence for the temple is really a dream come true.”
The author has visited most of the LDS temples, and he said his books allow him to share his knowledge with others.
