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Lightning hits Oquirrh Mountain Temple
By Clayton Norlen
Deseret News
Monday, Jun. 15, 2009

Lightning struck the Moroni statue on the top of the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple in South Jordan. The statue's arm, instrument and face were charred. Photo: Michael
Brandy, Deseret News

 
Mother Nature added another sight to see at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple, Saturday.

As weekend rain and lighting storms moved across the Salt Lake Valley, one strike took a path through the Angel Moroni's golden horn en route to the ground. Steve Allison, a resident of South Jordan who lives near the temple said lightning was dropping in the area Saturday and Sunday it was obvious lightning had struck the temple's unofficial lightning rod.

"(The Angel) is the only thing up there, Daybreak is pretty flat," Allison said. "Saturday afternoon we we're getting big strikes, one shook the house and knocked the power out."


The Oquirrh Mountain Temple, Angel Moroni statue was struck by lightening late Saturday. Photo: Steve Allison
 
Allison said he first heard the temple had been struck when a friend walked into choir practice with a pair of binoculars hanging from his neck. On Sunday streamss of passersby stopped to view the damage and take pictures.

"Lightning struck the spire on the Oquirrh Mountain Temple on 13 June 2009," Scott Trotter, LDS Church spokesman, said in a prepared statement.

"No structural damage was reported; however, a black residue discolored the upper portion of the Angel Moroni statue. A work crew will re-gild the statue as soon as possible."