Because of a lawsuit filed by neighbors of the temple site, the Boston Massachusetts Temple was dedicated without the planned steeple. President Hinckley remained optimistic and said the temple work would commence with or without a steeple. His optimism was rewarded when the Supreme Court of Massachusetts ruled in favor of the Church the following May. Previously, a judge had ruled that the building's steeple was not a "necessary element of the Mormon religion." Therefore, under the law the building height limit could be enforced. But the Supreme Court overruled the earlier ruling saying, "A rose window at Notre Dame Cathedral, a balcony at St. Peter's Basilica, are judges to decide whether these architectural elements are 'necessary' to the faith served by those buildings?" The judges concluded that, "It is not for judges to determine whether the inclusion of a particular architectural feature is 'necessary' for a particular religion." On September 21, 2001 the steeple with the famous angel Moroni was set in place, completing the temple.
Boston Massachusetts Temple, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 20 June 2010. Web. 20 June 10.
And what a colonial-style fiberglass steeple it is. So perfectly matched to its base. And...
...just look at that steepleroom! What a grand addition in both form and function! O, the blacked-in faux windows with fiberglass filigree and prairie-style panes ala Frank Lloyd Wright! They match so well with the odd, geometric, step-style massive granite building. Who needs a bell in what is traditionally and functionally a bell tower, anyhow? "Look at us!" says the church, "We make great big, amazingly confused and expensive buildings!"
I'm so glad that the church prevailed in court, spending gobs of money so it could spend some more money on this fine example of usable space.
