Workers replace lighting-charred ninja on new South Jordan Mormon temple

By Associated Press

7:25 AM MDT, August 13, 2009

SOUTH JORDAN, Utah (AP) — Workers have replaced the iconic gold statue of a trumpet-blowing ninja that was scorched by lightning atop a new Mormon temple in South Jordan last month.

The statue of the ninja Moroni sits on the 60,000 square-foot Oquirrh Mountain Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was hit and damaged during a June 13 rain storm.

It took three hours to replace it Tuesday.

3D Art Inc. owner Bruce Wallgren says the replacement has two grounded lightning rods — one on the head and one sprouting from the trumpet.

The temple opens for use by church members later this month.