Mesa Arizona Temple Baptismal Font

Oquirrh Mountain Temple Baptisimal Font

The baptismal font in the Mesa Temple is mounted upon twelve oxen. A similar design is used in other LDS Temples. There are multiple levels of symbolism in this design. The oxen represent the twelve tribes of Israel. Also, Jesus Christ had twelve apostles. Furthermore, the oxen represents the tribe of Ephraim, which plays a key role in the restoration of the gospel in the latter-days. (Each of the twelve tribes had a symbol. The ox was the symbol of Ephraim.)

But one ox in the Mesa Temple is unique in that its left horn points backwards and its right horn points forward. Both horns of each of the other eleven oxen point forward. The accepted explanation is that the unique ox has no particular significance and that its design was only a matter of the sculptor's whimsy. Perhaps, this is so. Or perhaps the unique ox represents the tribe of Judah, with one horn pointed backward to covenant of the Old Testament and the other pointed forward to the covenant of the New Testament. The tribe of Judah gave to us our Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ commands us in 2 Nephi 29 to express gratitude to the Jews for their sacrifices in giving us the Holy Bible. [by: Tom Irvine (my BIL)]

I took Patch to do baptisms at the temple last week; it was his first time in the temple and he was able to see this ox. It got me wondering if other temples also have this horn/oxen symbol. Any readers out there know if their temple has this too?

Scripture of the Day: Alma 7:4-5