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IDAHO FALLS — The Angel Moroni statue removed from the Idaho Falls LDS temple last week was reinstalled on top of the building Wednesday morning.
The gold-plated statue has stood atop The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ temple in Idaho Falls since 1983. Construction crews removed it last Wednesday as part of the temple’s renovation, EastIdahoNews.com reported.
The 13 feet long statue was placed back on its 143-foot tall perch Wednesday morning.
EastIdahoNews.com streamed the statue installation live here.
Crews used a large crane to reinstall the statue rather than a helicopter, which was how the statue was originally installed in September 1983. The temple was originally dedicated in 1945.
There are six versions of the Angel Moroni statue used on temples throughout the world. The statue mold used for the one in Idaho Falls is also used for the Moroni statues on two other LDS temples: Atlanta Georgia and Boston Massachusetts.
Moroni is a prophet in the Book of Mormon and the trumpet, which is held in Moroni’s right hand, symbolizes the spreading of the gospel and the Second Coming of Christ, according to the church.
On March 16, 2015, the Idaho Falls Temple closed for an extensive renovation.
It will be rededicated on Sunday, June 4, following a four-week public open house.
