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By Rosemary Pollock
Steeple Placement Ends Legal Challenges to Boston Temple
BELMONT, MASSACHUSETTS -- With the help of two giant cranes, a
construction crew and the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, a
gilded statue of the angel Moroni is firmly in place 139 feet atop
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint's Boston temple. The
12-foot-tall, 56-foot conical section reached its controversial place
in time for the temple's one-year anniversary, effectively ending the
legal challenges that have plagued the building since before its
construction.
The Boston temple's Moroni is a replica of the original that was
created over 100 years ago by Arlington sculptor, Cyrus E. Dallin for
the Salt Lake City temple. A smaller version of the statue is on
display at the Jefferson Cutter House in Arlington. "Our temple is
now more beautiful than ever," said Connie Eddington of Belmont, who
was present for the September 21 event.
"In the years to come this temple will be regarded as one of the most
significant and beautiful buildings not only in Boston but in
Massachusetts," said Bruce Sorensen, Boston temple president. His
wife Suzanne, who serves as the temple matron, along with about 50
people were part of the formal ceremony. Belmont's event was one of
three Church steeple-related ceremonies on September 21.
Neighbor's close to the temple had filed two separate lawsuits
against the Boston Temple. They challenged the right to construct the
building, initially alleging that the Massachusetts' Dover Amendment,
which the town of Belmont relied on to grant a building permit, was
unconstitutional. The second lawsuit claimed that the steeple
violated local zoning laws. Because of the second lawsuit, the Boston
Temple opened last October without a steeple.
Middlesex Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Fahey ruled last February
that the steeple, "is not a necessary element of the Mormon
religion." But most recently, Chief Justice Margaret Marshall, along
with a unanimous vote of the court, rejected the argument in a
17-page opinion. "It is for judges to determine whether the inclusion
of a particular architectural feature is 'necessary' for a particular
religion." The opinion also said that there is clear evidence that
"the church values an ascendancy of space for the religious
ceremonies performed in temples."
While the challenge to the constitutionality of Massachusetts' Dover
Amendment continues, further action would occur only if the U.S.
Supreme Court agreed to hear the case. And even if the court does
hear the case, it is considered unlikely that any action would affect
the temple.
Sources:
With angel in place, temple has top
Boston Globe Northwest Weekly pg8 30Sep01 N1
By Caroline Louise Cole, Globe Correspondent
Legal challenge delayed placement of church's steeple
Boston Temple Steeple OKed
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