April, 2008 John Pratt, Lance Harding, Garth Norman in front of the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Astronomical and measurement readings were taken from the Temple Mount looking east to the Mount of Olives, also from key observation points beyond the Temple Mount.

Jerusalem Temple Mount-Dome of the Tablets and Dome of the Rock

New Proposed Location for Solomon’s Temple

by John P. Pratt, V.Garth Norman, Lance Harding, and Jason Jones

Exactly where was Solomon’s temple located? Virtually all investigators agree that it was on the Temple Mount Platform in Jerusalem, but its precise location has been in question. This article proposes a new location on that platform, where no building presently exists. If correct, then Solomon’s temple could be restored without affecting the magnificent Muslim mosque, the Dome of the Rock, which is situated where most scholars believe Solomon’s temple stood.

Garth Norman measures stone on Jerusalem Temple Mount 49.5 cm. Royal Babylonian Cubit

The evidence presented here was discovered by our team who were sent to Jerusalem April (2008) to research the Temple Mount and surrounding area. Team leader Garth Norman is a professional archaeologist with decades of expertise in archaeoastronomy, Lance Harding is an expert in structural design comparative study of temples, Jason Jones was our field work engineer and facilitator, having previously lived in Jerusalem, and John Pratt is an astronomer specializing in ancient sacred calendars. The research funding was arranged by Vern Swanson-Springville Museum of Art & Lyle Mortimer-Cedar Fort Publishers, Springville, Utah.

Historical Background

King David, the father of Solomon, was commanded by the seer Gad to build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah, the Jebusite. David purchased the site and obeyed (2 Samuel 24:11-25). David himself was not allowed to build the temple, but was told that his son Solomon would accomplish that great task (1 Kings 5:5). The magnificent temple was seven years in construction and was finished in King Solomon’s eleventh year of reign (1 Kings 6:38).

All tradition and evidence indicate that Solomon’s Temple was build at or near David’s Altar, atop the hill formerly known to Abraham as Mount Moriah. It is believed that it was the location of Abraham’s offering of his son as a sacrifice (Gen. 22:2), and hence the mount is sacred to all believers in Abraham, including Muslims, Hebrews and Christians. The Temple Platform is located near the southeast corner of the old walled city of Jerusalem.

Solomon’s Temple was built during the tenth century B.C. and lasted until it was destroyed in 587 B.C. by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. He took into captivity those of the Kingdom of Judah who were not slain or scattered, where they remained until the Persians conquered his kingdom.

To read the entire article where evidence is presented for the location of Solomon’s temple, go to: http://www.johnpratt.com/items/docs/lds/meridian/2008/temple.html

Assyrian warrior's height measures a 49.5 cm. Royal Babylonian Cubit

Egyptian figure inside Geometry planning with 52.5 cm. Royal Egyptian cubit