Salt Lake Temple’s Angel Moroni Loses Trumpet In Earthquake

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Angel Moroni atop the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sustained damaged during an earthquake that rocked the Wasatch Front.

Workers have been preparing the temple for renovations, including a substantial upgrade to the temple’s foundation to help keep it structurally sound in an earthquake.

“The Salt Lake Temple, which is undergoing a seismic upgrade, sustained some minor damage during Wednesday morning’s earthquake,” according to a Church spokesman. “The trumpet on the Angel Moroni statue fell off, and there is minor displacement of some of the temple’s smaller spire stones. No workers were injured. Crews on the job site have been sent home for the day, and a full assessment is underway to determine needs going forward. This event emphasizes why this project is so necessary to preserve this historic building and create a safer environment for all our patrons and visitors.”

The quake caused damage across the valley, including transmitters used to broadcast TV. Bricks broke from buildings and scattered across roads and sidewalks, and the Salt Lake International Airport closed after the tower was evacuated.

Authorities have asked residents to avoid downtown Salt Lake City.