Angel Moroni Statue Placed Atop The Rome Italy Temple

The Rome Italy Temple, which is currently under construction received an Angel Moroni statue Saturday.

Crews used a crane to hoist the statue more than 150 feet in the air before setting it in place. The statue is gilded with 22-karat gold leaf, and workers only touch it with gloves to avoid marking the delicate surface according to Mormon Newsroom.

Standing atop many temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the angel Moroni, an ancient prophet in the Book of Mormon. The statue is not a figure of worship, but rather symbolizes his role in the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Although not required, this iconic symbol of the Church stands high at the top of most of the 155 temples worldwide.

​Once the sacred building is complete, the Church will invite the public to tour the temple prior to its dedication.

Latter-day Saint temples provide a place where Church members make formal promises and commitments to God and where the highest sacraments of the faith occur, such as the marriage of couples for eternity. Temples differ from the thousands of local meetinghouses where members typically meet for Sunday worship services and midweek social activities.

The Rome Italy temple started its construction on October 2010, the groundbreaking ceremony was led by President Thomas S, Monson.