<h4 class="label">Temple Locale</h4>
<p>The Seattle Washington Temple is located off I-90 on a gently rising hill across from Bellevue College in Bellevue, Washington. The captivating landscaping that surrounds the temple features a cascading water feature, family-themed statues, and numerous brightly colored flowers, hedges, and trees. The site is surrounded by a grove of beautiful Washington evergreens.</p>
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<h4 class="label">Temple History</h4>
<p>The Seattle Washington Temple was the first temple built in the <a href="../maps/pacificnorthwest/">Pacific Northwest</a> (and in the state of Washington).</p>
<p>The Seattle Washington Temple was originally named the Seattle Temple.</p>
<p>The Seattle Washington Temple is one of only five temples featuring an angel Moroni statue holding the gold plates. (The other four temples are the <a href="/los-angeles-california-temple/" onmouseover="showTip('los-angeles-california-temple')" onmouseout="unTip()">Los Angeles California Temple</a>, the <a href="/washington-d.c.-temple/" onmouseover="showTip('washington-d.c.-temple')" onmouseout="unTip()">Washington D.C. Temple</a>, the <a href="/jordan-river-utah-temple/" onmouseover="showTip('jordan-river-utah-temple')" onmouseout="unTip()">Jordan River Utah Temple</a>, and the <a href="/mexico-city-mexico-temple/" onmouseover="showTip('mexico-city-mexico-temple')" onmouseout="unTip()">Mexico City Mexico Temple</a>.)</p>
<p>Because the Seattle Washington Temple would be situated near the Bellevue Airfield, the proposed height of the spire was reduced, and a red strobe warning light was installed at the base of the angel Moroni statue. When the airfield closed in 1983, the light was permanently shut off and later removed.</p>
<p>During the dedication of the Seattle Washington Temple, a group of women chained themselves to the front gates as a demonstration of their opposition to the Church's position on the Equal Rights Amendment.</p>
<p>The Seattle Washington Temple was the last temple dedicated by President Spencer W. Kimball, whose ailing health prompted him to call Elder Gordon B. Hinckley as a third counselor in the First Presidency in July 1981. Seventeen more temples would be dedicated under Pres. Kimball's presidency before his death in November 1985.</p>