The Salt Lake Temple Squared Circle Motif
The circle within a square motif is the most widely-used symbol found on the Salt Lake Temple. This combination of conjoined geometric shapes is primarily located along the tops of the towers, and is also incorporated into other symbols across the temple walls and on the doors.
The square symbol represents God's creation and the four corners of the Earth.
The circle symbol represents perfection, eternity and the dome of Heaven, or Celestial Sphere.
So when the two symbols are combined, the squared circle represents a place where Heaven and Earth meet. This simple figure is the quintessential emblem for the temple.
The squared circle also symbolizes that mankind is made from the dust of the Earth, but has divine potential.
The most prevalent use of the squared circle symbol is the pattern that spans the tops of the East and West towers. These symbols being placed on the towers, which represent the priesthood, symbolizes that the authority of the priesthood exercised within the temple is binding on Earth and in Heaven.
The symbols on the towers are sometimes mistaken for Saturn stones. A preliminary plan for the temple included drawings of stones at the top of each pilaster carved to resemble the planet, Saturn, and was to be a symbol for Kolob. However, these carvings never became part of the finished temple.
