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The Monticello Utah Temple, located in southeastern Utah in the heart of canyonland country, was created by using a transparent technique, and is one of a series by the artist Chad S. Hawkins. In 1989 at the age of seventeen, Chad started this unique temple series, becoming the origi-nal LDS artist to involve hidden spiritual images in his artwork.
Located at an elevation of 7,069 feet, the beautiful Monticello Temple is nestled at the eastern foot of the Abajo (Blue) Mountains. These mountains proudly display Horsehead Peak, where the vegetation has grown into the shape of a blaze-faced horse overlooking the community. The famous horsehead can be seen in the snow on the mountain to the left of the temple. The Monticello Temple is the first of a new generation of mini-temples. The life-sized six-foot statue of the youthful angel Moroni is constructed of white fiberglass. The groundbreaking took place on November 17, 1997, and was dedicated only eight months later on July 26, 1998.
During the summer of 1879 a pioneer expedition left Cedar City to settle near the San Juan River at Bluff. Taking a new route eastward, the trek that was to last six weeks lengthened into nearly six months. The incredible, broken, tortuous nature of the country had not been known or understood by the planners of the expedition. The pioneers crossed the Colorado River by making an 1,800-foot descent at the famous "Hole-in-the-Rock" on January 20, 1880. The men prepared the wagons by wrapping heavy chains several times around the wheels to lock them. In addition, long ropes or chains were attached to the rear of the wagon so that as many as twenty men could hold back each wagon from making too quick a plunge into the abyss below. Each wagon had a driver, but the women and children walked and slid down. A total of twenty-six wagons and 250 people safely made the descent that day. In memory of these faithful pioneers, the artist has placed hidden images in the Blue Mountains of a driver, a team of horses, and two men holding back a wagon as they conquer the "Hole-in-the-Rock."
