The Salt Lake Temple Ursa Major / Big Dipper
The constellation of Ursa Major, commonly known as The Big Dipper, is depicted at the top of the center tower on the West face of the Salt Lake Temple. This stone carving of the Big Dipper is comprised of seven six-point stars that are arranged on the Salt Lake Temple wall so it points toward the North Star in the night sky—just like the actual Big Dipper.
For thousands of years, people used Ursa Major to find their way in the dark of night. The depiction of Ursa Major, and its positioning toward the North Star, symbolizes people finding their way back to God. Truman Angell, the architect of the Salt Lake Temple, explained that it was placed on a tower representing the priesthood so as testify to people that "The lost may find themselves by the Priesthood."
