“Deconstructing a Temple” by Marianne Hales

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It belongs to a different era—

the tiered spire with fluted edges

that could be a sculpted water feature,

the golden windows tucked behind

an architectural cake’s ladyfinger

wrap, the Angel Moroni (so last

decade), a pillar of cloud

and a pillar of fire both

by day and by night (a logistical

necessity), the work horse

of the Church that’s always

a bridesmaid, never a bride

(the pictures!). If it had been

built in the 1870s instead

of the 1970s the story

would have been different;

no one would tear it down

for a square temple.

Maybe they waited for it

to come back in style

and it didn’t? It’s only 21

months older than I am.

Is it nearly time to demolish

me too? And build me up

again, a friend reminds me.

Probably for the best.

I’m not quite up to code either.

This piece was published in 2026 as part of the 15th Annual Mormon Lit Blitz by the Mormon Lit Lab. Sign up for our newsletter for future updates.