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

Scott 3 weeks ago

I'm so happy that they will be preserving the murals. My mission President's wife Lori, was Minerva's daughter. I was in the mission offices for eight months and got to know her very well. She often told me stories about her mother. I cherish the memories and Minerva's paintings will always have a special place in my heart.

Mark Greenhalgh 3 weeks ago

So glad the murals will be saved and preserved. They are an important part of the history of Mormon art and an important artist in that legacy.

Melvin Johnson A month ago

Excellent article. I enjoyed going to the Manti Temple in 1968. I grew up in Mesa, AZ and I miss the old murals of the Mesa Temple too.

Mary Lynn Peterson A month ago

My first temple experience was in the Manti Temple. I have always loved Minerva Teichert's art work over the many years I have attended the temple. I am very inspired by Minerva's testimony of Jesus Christ as portrayed in her art work. Our whole family and especially granddaughters who are artists, rejoice that the decision has been made to preserve these priceless treasures!
Mary Lynn Peterson

Vicki Gehring A month ago

Minerva Teichert's love for and testimony of the restored gospel are very evident in her art. Her paintings in the Manti Temple are a treasure! Her talent is unique and I am very glad the prophet and church leaders recognize the value of preserving it.
Vicki Gehring

Patrice Fairbanks 2 months ago

Some of her work hangs in the halls of the former Harvard Ward building (now 2nd ward) in downtown Salt Lake City, 700 S. 500 East. TREASURES!!

Patrice Fairbanks 2 months ago

Also, Manti was our temple for many years & all of my kids were 4 of my kids were married there.

Helen wade 2 months ago

Finding Teichert works is like a treasure hunt. When we walked into the tabernacle in Woodruff,( or was it Randolph ?) and encountered her mural of Joseph Smith and the first vision. It was such a surprise and treat. It happened again when we visited the Cardston Temple and there she was on the walls of one of the rooms. Unmistakable style like none other.

Carol Lee Johnson 2 months ago

I have always connected with my ancestors while attending the Manti temple as I have contemplated my parents, grandparents, and great grandparents and also my husband and I were all married there. My great great grandfather was CCA Christensen and I have thought and been told all of my life that he painted the walls in the garden room. I know there were also other paintings hung in the temple by him. I love all of the temples but Manti is very dear to my heart. Can't wait to return to it.

Carol Lee Johnson 2 months ago

I need to correct the previous statement. CCA painted the creation room not the garden room.

Rick Parker 2 months ago

Iam very very Happy that our Beloved Prophet decided to keep the murals. Me and my beautiful wife were married there 44 years ago. We love that Temple.

Angie Earl 2 months ago

I pray to dear Heavenly Father to please let these murals stay!!!! I LOVE them SO much!!!!!! There is NO temple as unique as this one!!!! Especially the murals!!!!!

MARY NORTON 2 months ago

Minerva’s talent is God given. I pray her talent is preserved.

Jerald A. Dastrup 3 months ago

All of the temples are wonderful. We recently attended the Washington D.C. Temple. But the Manti Temple is our temple. We are so familiar with these murals and just love them.

Gardner Catherine 3 months ago

Minerva's style and paintings are unmathched by anyone in the world. Her paintings are so beautiful, restful and inspiring. One can look at them for long periods of time and not tire or grow weary. Thank you Minerva.

Kathleen H. Kay! 3 months ago

Being one who dabbles in oil paints I once asked to have a little time to study the artwork in the temple. I was granted this desire but a number of the temple workers came through the door to accompany me through the rooms. I suppose they thought I might do something bad like plant a bomb or something. It made me feel how audatious my request had been. Still they were so very gracious to me. The artwork is incredible!

Sheila Woods 3 months ago

We had an original Minerva Teichert painting in the Idaho Falls, Idaho Temple. When the Temple was remodeled they took it down. Makes me wonder where it is now. I also had a student/friend who lived by Minerva and would go to her house as a small child and "paint" with her.

Gayle Buchanan 4 months ago

I’m so thrilled to have the Manti Temple pay tribute to the pioneer’s who built the Manti Temple. Bless you President Russell M Nelson. We needed to preserve the murals.

Shelley 4 months ago

I am looking forward for the completed renovation of the Temple so I might attend. My grandparents were sealed in this Temple. They also received their patriarchal blessings here. They were hand written.

Linette Christensen 4 months ago

The Manti Temple is our temple. I was 11 the first time I entered the Manti temple. My parents were temple workers there for 9 years in the baptistry. When we were newlyweds, we would spend a day in the temple every month. Now our children are all marriedwe would love to do this again. We have deeply missed our temple, and the beautiful inspired art work inside.

lpweston 4 months ago

The painting of the Manti temple that says "Manti Temple Painting - Minerva Teichert & the Manti Temple" should probably be attributed to the artist that painted it, C.C.A. Christensen.

Marcia Walke 4 months ago

Minerva Teichert, is my all time heroine, artistically and spiritually . I have followed her story in books & articles, and have prints of her artwork in my home. My goal is to go to the Manti Temple and she her murals in person

Delilah Brinkerhoff 4 months ago

I absolutely love these, the m
manti temple was my temple when I was 8 being baptized for the dead to getting married when I was 22. It was our temple while my husband were going to BYU for 4 yr after 53 yr of marriage it is still our temple. Love it.

Kathey Sprouse 4 months ago

I am so happy future generations will be able to see and feel the spirit these murals bring. Thank you for saving them.

Chrys Reynolds 4 months ago

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!

Wayne Kalama 5 months ago

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.

JoAnn Frost 5 months ago

God bless Russell M. Nelson..

Ruth Alley Bradshaw 5 months ago

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

Barb Chapman 5 months ago

I have seen this art piece many times and never realized these were special needs children.

John Lane 5 months ago

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 .