Newport Beach California Temple Christmas Ornament

Temple History

The Newport Beach California Temple was the sixth temple built in California, the fourth built in Southern California, and the second built in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, following the Los Angeles California Temple (1956).

The Newport Beach California Temple was announced the same day as the Redlands California Temple and Sacramento California Temple on April 21, 2001.

The Newport Beach Planning Commission gave its approval for the Newport Beach California Temple on October 3, 2002, despite protests from the numerous residents in attendance. The Church worked closely with residents in a spirit of compromise, making changes in response to their concerns that included turning off flood lighting by 11:00 p.m., changing the color of the building from off-white to an earth-tone shade of seashell, and reducing the height of the spire from 124 feet to 100 feet.¹

On November 12, 2002, the Newport Beach City Council gave final approval for the temple upon agreement by the Church to make a second reduction in the height of the steeple from 100 feet to 90 feet. The 10-foot concession gained yards in public relations, as staunch opponents embraced the compromise, saying they were ready to move forward as a community.²

Ground was broken for the temple on Friday, August 15, 2003, in the presence of area authorities, local Church leaders, civic leaders, temple architects, and media representatives. Elder Duane B. Gerrard, first counselor in the North America West Area presidency, presided and dedicated the temple site.³

On January 13, 2005, a statue of the angel Moroni crowned the temple. During placement, a remarkable solar halo was visible, which surrounded the sun. Once Moroni was in place, the phenomenon dissipated.⁴