I have to admit, in the midst of all the public cheering about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ updated statement to preserve some or all of Minerva Teichert’s murals in the historic Manti Temple I still don’t feel better.

I do understand the Church employs excellent architects who have made incredible improvements to many other existing church structures. To learn more about this I highly recommend listening to what Allen Roberts, architect, has to say on Mormonland’s Podcast, Episode 77. He is an architect who specializes in preservation, including work on Latter-day Saint chapels, tabernacles and temples.

I must say, however, I’m grateful that petitions have been signed regarding the Manti Temple, that voices have been heard, and that the Church is demonstrating a stronger preservation ethos. Why? Because, I do wonder. Is the updated statement as reassuring as we may think?

The Church has been known to make mistakes with the dwindling number of remaining pioneer-built structures. The deeply regrettable Logan Temple renovation and Coalville Tabernacle demolition both come to mind. Decades ago the famous Mormon pioneer-built chapel in Spring City, Utah—two towns north of Manti—was also slated for demolition even though it was still in use.

Thanks to the grassroots efforts of late Spring City artist, Osral Allred, who was an LDS bishop at the time, the limestone church was saved. Reportedly, they asked President Spencer W. Kimball to come and see it. He did. After he saw the hand-hewn limestone church and the extensive pioneer woodwork inside he stopped the demolition proceedings. Congregations still meet in this pioneer building to this day.

Update to the Church’s Statement

In the recent update The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said they now have plans to “separate the canvas or portions of the canvas [emphasis added] for future restoration” and will display them “in a public setting,” rather than simply documenting her murals with photographs, as originally planned (which would have been a travesty).

“Portions of the canvas” is the part that captured my attention. The beautiful murals currently wrap four walls that are 28 feet high, 50 feet long, and 25 feet wide. Because of their sheer size it seems more likely the Church will only choose portions. If so, who will decide which mural scenes to keep? The murals are massive. Also, in which “public setting” does the Church plan to display Teichert's murals?

Once removed, will they be transported to Salt Lake City, depriving residents who serve in the Manti Temple from seeing them unless they make the two hour drive up north?

The Church’s statement is still too vague for my liking. I would like more facts. Perhaps, however, too little is known at this point. I like to think the Church will keep the public informed about their preservation efforts. At this point I’m only left making assumptions and waiting fearfully.

Before the recent update I spoke with Tom Owen, the Church’s public affairs committee member appointed to take calls regarding the proposed changes to the Manti Temple. I told him about the possibility that the murals are painted on canvas, increasing the chance that they could be saved. He was happy about the news and kindly told me who to call. I called and left a message and never heard back from that individual.

Minerva Teichert and Her Murals

The awe-inspiring scenes Minerva Teichert painted in the “world room” represent more than meets the eye. They also represent the determination of one woman in the 1940s to prayerfully accomplish an artistic task in Latter-day Saint temples previously given only to men. This alone is significant in the history of LDS temples.

My mother and my daughter are both full time artists, so the topic of females choosing to earn a living with their art (while raising children of their own) is dear to my heart. I preserved every dragon and unicorn drawing my daughter made as a child. Seeing first-hand what it’s like for a female artist to make it in this century makes me admire Teichert even more considering what she accomplished so long ago.

Brigham Young announced the decision to build the Manti Temple in 1875. The temple was completed and dedicated in 1888. Nearly sixty years later in 1946, white-haired Minerva Teichert—age fifty-nine—was offered the commission to paint the world room by President George Albert Smith. Disappointed that she wasn’t chosen to paint temple murals in Switzerland or Los Angeles, she was thrilled to have this opportunity in central Utah.

Her murals, known as the “pageantry of nations,” show a broad sweep of human history: the birthplace of world civilizations, a ziggurat reaching heavenward, images of worshippers of different Eastern faiths—and her interpretations of their religious symbols—and a shadowed section of poor huddled masses, unheeded. I’ve only listed a few of the many subjects she painted on canvas in this massive room. I’ve sat in this room. It’s a religious experience to see her murals in this dedicated temple setting.

Years ago, Doris Dant, former assistant professor at BYU, interviewed Teichert’s temple mural assistant, Frank Stevens. He told her that nearly seventy years [after the Manti temple was built] the plaster on the interior walls had deteriorated so much that they were replastered and covered with “high-quality sail canvas.”

According to Stevens, a Utah County paint company (Bennett Paint) had treated the canvas walls with casein and beeswax. Next, at Minerva’s insistence, they applied a base coat color of yellow ocher. She wanted an earth tone that would give a warm feeling to the room before she started painting.

It was on top of these purported canvas-covered walls that Minerva painted the large room, often standing on scaffolding (after carrying her supplies up the ladder). She once suffered a fall and injured her arm. One night she had a high fever and went to bed with three aspirin and a prayer. She woke up feeling better and resumed her frantic pace to finish the temple murals, only pausing her painting efforts when a temple session was underway.

Why Remove the Murals or Update the Temple at All?

In the Church’s statement this month they expressed their reason for making these drastic changes to the Manti Temple: a desire to offer temple patrons from around the world a familiar, similar experience from temple to temple. Well, the Manti temple doesn’t receive many visitors from around the world.

This temple is surrounded by very small towns that dot the landscape in the middle of rural Utah (Sanpete County). It’s far from big cities. Might it be worthwhile to consider that there are over 230 temples (in use, under construction, or announced) that already offer a similar experience and there is some merit to having one that is unique?

A Utah resident said, “It breaks my heart … Now it will be like any other cookie cutter temple … I don't understand why we don't have more of a voice … I know the gathering of Israel is happening but why cancel our heritage and our past? Did the sacrifices of our pioneer ancestors mean nothing?” - Joanna Nelson

Another said, “To say this will now serve the area for generations is a slap in the face. It has already served generations. These changes aren't necessary or wanted, yet here they come.” -Linda

I haven’t even addressed the extensive pioneer craftsmanship throughout the temple. The pioneer staircase is the only thing the Church promised in their original statement to preserve. Keeping the staircase and portions of Teichert’s murals is not enough.

Will the Church Take the Necessary Time to Preserve the All of the Murals?

On a few trips to Barcelona my husband and I visited the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) to admire the many 11th and 12th century frescoes from churches throughout the region that had been painstakingly removed, preserved, and transferred for display in the museum. An entire wing is dedicated to these rescued frescos from the Early Romanesque period. They had been painted on plaster. Some of them are massive.

The Apse of Sant Climent de Taüll in the MNAC is one of the many preserved murals we examined. Painted in the early 12th century, the original is still being enjoyed. Video footage in the museum shows the process used by restoration teams in the 19th and 20th century to remove and preserve these religious and historically significant pieces of art.

Old murals can be saved. It just takes time and resources. The Church has the resources, and yet my fear is that the project manager won’t dedicate enough time to save every scene Teichert painted. It took years for preservationists in Spain. Is the Church willing to dedicate years, possibly, to their preservation? Is there a large enough wing in some museum somewhere to display all of Teichert’s murals from this temple? If these issues are not a main focus at this time, there will be no other time if they proceed with their plans.

In Conclusion: a better solution

If ancient large frescos can be saved, entire murals in an old LDS temple can be saved too, not just portions—which I fear may be what ends up happening.

Better yet, might the Church build a new temple nearby (there is plenty of land in Sanpete or even Sevier County) and leave this one intact? With this option the Manti Temple could retain its pioneer religious history and art. It could remain as a functioning temple with drop-down screens, retaining the option to have live sessions with progression.

One gentleman who grew up in Sanpete County said, “My great-grandfather, Welcome Chapman, cut stone on this Temple … My dad hitched the horses to the buggy every morning to take his cousin to the Temple. She was the Temple Recorder for 40 years … It was a friendly bunch of workers there, they would hold up the last Session if the farmer was slow getting the milking done and was late.” - Elliot

If the Manti Temple previously held up sessions when farmers were late, might the Church consider holding up their plans? They may have to put architects and interior designers on hold—a small price to pay.

This would give Church leaders more time—without deadlines—to calmly reconsider how to preserve the historic elements and spirit, inside and out, of this last remaining example of a Mormon pioneer-built temple before it’s too late.

—Gwendolyn Soper writes commentary about current events, basic human rights, (and poetry that she is just starting to let people read). She lives in Spring City, Utah, two small towns away from Manti.

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Manti Temple: after Church's updated…