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UTAH TEMPLE

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Scandinavian art inspired temple window designs

TEMPLE PREPARATION Local events celebrate, anticipate temple opening

UTAH TEMPLES RISING

Temple construction continues in the state

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ED”BIG DADDY” ROTH’S RAT FINK MUSEUM You will find the famous RAT FINK MUSEUM including a store full of Rat Fink Collectibles in Manti, UT. Big Daddy Roth is a legendary custom car builder and one of the founders of Kustom Culture. He is best known for his incredible work creating one-of-a-kind hot rods, and for the creation of Rat Fink. Ed created custom hot rods and was known as an artist amongst the community. He built Beatnik Bandit 1 and The Outlaw in 1959. He has creations in Galpin Auto Sports, North Hills, CA, National Automobile Museum, Reno NV, & Peterson Museum, LA, CA and in museums all over the world. Ed became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1974, moved to Manti in 1987. He loved living in Manti and loved the Temple. He continued creating custom cars and Rat Fink art until his passing in 2001. In his honor a museum was created and we celebrate each year with a Rat Fink Reunion the first weekend of June. Friends and artists worldwide come to celebrate his influence at this event. Join us June 3-5, 2027 for the RAT FINK REUNION.

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Table of Contents

A Temple by the Numbers . ..................................................................................10 A New Temple Rises................................................................................................12 Ephraim Utah Temple Open House...................................................................14 The Process of Building a Temple.......................................................................16 Art Preservation Leads to New Temple.............................................................20 Selecting the Temple Site.......................................................................................24 Breaking Ground......................................................................................................26 Construction of a Temple......................................................................................30 A Temple Next to Campus....................................................................................32 The Art of Glass........................................................................................................36 Temple to Temple Youth Trek..............................................................................44 Primary Activities Anticipate Temple Opening..............................................48 Cookies & Kindness at the Temple Site............................................................52 Wood Badge Logo Recalls the Temple..............................................................54 Inside the Temple Walls.........................................................................................56 Ephraim’s Heritage...................................................................................................58 What’s Next for Utah’s Temples...........................................................................62 Utah Temples Under Construction, Renovation & Announced...............64 Utah’s Exisiting Temples........................................................................................70 Utah Temple Facts...................................................................................................78

Ephraim UTAH TEMPLE MAGAZINE

6 • Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026

This magazine produced by the Pyramid Publisher: Jim Konig Content & Editor: Christi C. Babbitt Graphic Design: Marcia C. Harris Cover Photo: Courtesy of Intellectual Reserve, Inc.

A Temple by the Numbers EPHRAIM UTAH TEMPLE

ANNOUNCED: May 1, 2021

ELEVATION: 5,567 ft. (the 30th highest in the world & 5th highest in Utah)

SITE: 9.16 Acres 3-story building TOTAL FLOOR AREA: 39,000 sq. ft.

• 4 instruction rooms • 3 sealing rooms • 1 baptistry

2nd completed temple in Sanpete County

26th dedicated temple in Utah

2 attached end towers

1 of 4 temples worldwide to be located adjacent to a college or university campus. The others are the Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple (Brigham Young University), the Rexburg Idaho Temple (BYU-Idaho) and the Laie Hawaii Temple (BYU-Hawaii).

244th dedicated temple in operation in the world

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Sources: churchofjesuschristtemples.org churchofjesuschrist.org

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Utah Temple) beside Brigham Young University, the Rexburg Idaho Temple adjacent to BYU-Idaho and the Laie Hawaii Temple next to BYUHawaii. After watching this new temple rise during the past several years, the public is now invited to tour its interior during a limited open house. Once a temple is dedicated, entrance is reserved for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day

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More than 130 years ago, early settlers in the Sanpete Valley built a temple atop a hill overlooking the small town of Manti. Today, a new sacred building has risen just 8 miles to the north, joining its historic neighbor as one of Sanpete County’s most striking landmarks. Announced May 1, 2021, by Russell M. Nelson, then president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Ephraim Utah Temple will be the Church’s 26th dedicated temple in Utah and one of 32 temples in the state that are operating, under construction or announced. At 39,000 square feet, the Ephraim temple is among Utah’s smaller temples. Only the Vernal, Brigham City and Monticello temples have smaller interiors. (The square footage of the Price Utah Temple has not yet been announced.) While its size is comparable to many temples throughout the world — there are many that are smaller — the Ephraim temple’s location makes it distinctive. Situated adjacent to the Snow College campus, it is one of only four temples worldwide located next to a college or university. The others are the Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple (formerly the Provo

A New Temple Rises

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Saints, making the open house a rare opportunity for anyone to experience the beauty and craftsmanship inside. The Ephraim Utah Temple open house begins Wednesday, Sept. 2, and continues through Saturday, Sept. 19. The temple will be dedicated Oct. 11. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to step inside a remarkable building that will stand as a Sanpete County landmark for generations to come. Source: churchofjesuschristtemples.org

Photo by Verlyn Hawkes

12 • Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026

Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026 • 13

Ephraim Utah Temple PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE

DATES

Daily beginning Wednesday, Sept. 2, and continuing through Saturday, Sept. 19 (excluding Sundays)

TIMES

The temple will be open to the public Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

ADDRESS

200 N. 400 East, Ephraim

ADMISSION/ RESERVATIONS

Admission is free. No reservation is required to attend the open house. All ages are welcome. Photo by David D. Frame

Temple Open House

On Wednesday, Sept. 2, a unique opportunity begins for the public: the Ephraim Utah Temple will open to visitors. Temples are sacred buildings designed to help God’s children feel close to Him and His Son, Jesus Christ. Temple open houses are held prior to the building’s formal dedication for the purpose of sharing this sacred space with the community. During the open house, all are welcome to enjoy the beautiful grounds and this sacred house of the Lord. Once

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the temple is dedicated, entrance is reserved for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The open house for the Ephraim Utah Temple will begin Wednesday, Sept. 2, and continue daily (excluding Sundays) through Saturday, Sept. 19. Private tour sessions for invited guests, including the media, will be conducted Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. The public is invited to take advantage of this open house opportunity and view the inside of the building and learn more about what happens inside its doors.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Visitors are invited to come as they are; comfortable shoes are suggested as the tour is a walking tour. The tour is wheelchair accessible. Service animals are not permitted in the temple. Please refrain from smoking, vaping or drinking on temple property. Please leave large bags and belongings inside your vehicle. Please refrain from taking photos or videos inside the temple. Restrooms are available on site and may be used before and after the tour. Drinking fountains are available throughout.

Temple Dedication The Ephraim Utah Temple will be dedicated on Sunday, Oct. 11, at 10 a.m. Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will preside at the dedication. The dedicatory session will be broadcast to all units in the temple district and rebroadcast at 2 p.m.

PARKING

Parking is available on site at the temple.

TOUR DURATION

The walking tour will last approximately 45 minutes. Following the tour, representatives of the Church will be available to answer any questions.

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Lynn 435-851-7113 . Travis 435-851-2663 www.Facebook.com/FredsWoods Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026 • 15

THE DESIGN PHASE

After the temple site is selected and the Church determines how large the building will be, a team of architects creates potential exterior and interior designs. While the purpose of each of the Church’s temples is the same, many aspects of each structure’s inner and outer look and feel are unique and tailored to the local people and area. Williams said good architects “want to create something unique, something that has its own personality, and (Church leaders) allow us to do that” with temples. He added that much can be done to make a temple unique, including “the decorative motifs, the kind of furniture, the interior accouterments, how articulate it is.” To create a look and feel that is just right for a specific temple, architects solicit several sources. Williams said his team meets with locals to “understand the nature of the people, the country that they live in, Latter-day Saints that are there and how we can better fit the temple” to them. A critical aspect of the planning process is sustainable Photo by Christi C. Babbitt

From Design to Spire

design, a concept that Williams said seeks to reduce a temple’s long-term operational cost. “Whatever we can do to make the environmental systems, the mechanical systems energy efficient, to make the interior materials have longevity so that they don’t wear out straightaway, anything we can do to conserve water, it’s great for us as the owner because it makes that long-term cost less. That’s what it means to be sustainable,” he said. In selecting building materials, the Church settles for nothing but the best. The pattern for this is found in the Bible’s description of Solomon’s Temple in 1 Kings 7. They used the finest materials and workers; the Church of Jesus Christ follows the same pattern. The role of inspiration is critical to temple design. Design meetings begin with prayer. The design process can take up to two years. All along the way — from architectural details to colors and carpet swatches — the First Presidency is involved and provides final approvals.

Photo by David D. Frame

THE PROCESS OF BUILDING A TEMPLE

From churchofjesuschrist.org Each temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints is a house of the Lord, and each is a beautiful building meant to last many years thanks to high-quality materials and rigorous building standards. The creation of these sacred structures is much like the construction of any other building. The process is also unique because of the significant role temples play in Latter-day Saint theology.

FUNDING & SELECTING A SITE

Temples are built using Church funds set aside for that purpose. The Church pays for the costs without a mortgage or other financing. Church leaders want Latter-day Saints everywhere to

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have easy access to temples. Temple sites are generally located in areas with enough members (there’s no required number) to warrant construction or where great distances exist between temples. Once the decision is made to build a temple in a certain area, the First Presidency then prayerfully chooses the precise spot on which to build — a pattern that has been in place since the Church of Jesus Christ’s beginning. For example, soon after entering the Salt Lake Valley in July 1847, Brigham Young identified the block of land on which to build the Salt Lake Temple. Bill Williams, a Church architect, said the Church looks for sites “that would have prominence, be in an attractive neighborhood, a neighborhood that would withstand the test of time.”

Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026 • 17

CONSTRUCTION

Because of the high standards for building its temples, the Church sends representatives across the world to search out the best contractors. The Church uses many contractors, and the complexity of temple design requires the very best that most workers have ever had to give on a project. The high building standards are in place for two main reasons: first, Latter-day Saints believe their temples are the holiest places on earth and tributes to God; second, the Church builds these temples to last hundreds of years. Church representatives ensure the construction companies are financially stable and able to meet Church regulations (including prohibitions against smoking, drinking and loud music on the construction site, though construction workers do not have to be Latter-day Saints). The Church then invites those selected companies to the bidding process. Once a company is chosen, construction typically takes 24 to 48 months, depending on the location. For temple sites outside the United States, construction can take more time for a variety of reasons. For example, some countries might require more manual labor to do things that in the United States could be done with equipment. Other things can also slow down the process, such as additional fees incurred by local governments. Although it can be a challenge to find qualified contractors, the high bar is worth it for both the Church and the workers. Not only do temple construction projects supply jobs in local communities, they also provide opportunities that many construction workers consider to be the zenith of their careers.

Photo by Jenette Lanier

Photo by Marcia C. Harris

OPEN HOUSE & DEDICATION

Latter-day Saints who live the highest standards of the faith are permitted to enter a dedicated temple. Therefore, once construction is complete, and prior to the temple’s dedication, the Church opens the temple doors to the public for several weeks for free tours. These open houses are a rare opportunity for anyone in the community to walk through a temple and learn more about Latter-day Saint beliefs. Typically within a week or two after the open house concludes, a Church leader formally dedicates the temple. This is done by offering a dedicatory prayer to consecrate the temple for those sacred purposes for which the temple is built.

Photo by Jenette Lanier

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2, 2021. On March 12, 2021, seven months before the temple’s closure, it was announced by the First Presidency of the Church that as part of renovation work inside the Manti temple, murals in the temple would be photographed, documented and removed. When the word came of the murals’ planned removal, some were saddened at the thought of the temple losing this beautiful artwork. Some spoke out, asking the church to reconsider its decision to remove the murals. On March 24, 2021, an update was issued by the First Presidency, specifically regarding murals painted by

Efforts to ensure historic artwork inside the Manti Utah Temple remained inside the temple — instead of being moved to a museum or other display area — led to the announcement of a new temple in Ephraim. On April 7, 2019, President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that the Manti Utah Temple, as well as the Logan Utah Temple, would be undergoing renovation work “in the coming years.” This announcement came during the church’s April 2019 General Conference. The Manti Temple would eventually close for a major multi-year renovation on Oct.

President Russell M. Nelson announces in a prerecorded message that the Church will build a new temple in Ephraim during a press conference inside the Manti Tabernacle on May 1, 2021.

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artist Minerva Teichert. The Teichert murals are in what is known as the temple’s World Room. “The artwork in the Manti Temple includes murals painted by Minerva Teichert, which are valued not only for their beauty, but also as a treasured remembrance of the faith, From start From tostart ﬁnish, tohigh-performance ﬁnish, high-performance Kubota Kubota SVL compact SVL compact Track Loaders Track Loaders talent and dedication of the artist,” and compact and compact excavators excavators are ready aretoready work.toFeaturing work. Featuring comfort, comfort, versatility versatility and and stated the update. “The Teichert durability. durability. Not to mention Not to mention the world’s the world’s #1 selling #1 compact selling compact excavator excavator for 19 for 19 murals in the Manti Temple were years*. years*. originally painted on canvas, which was adhered to the plaster walls. The Visit your VisitWe’re Kubota your Kubota dealerhometown dealer today for today a demo! for a demo! KubotaUSA.com your Kubota dealerKubotaUSA.com of choice Church’s intent is to separate the canvas or portions of the canvas from the plaster and preserve the murals for future restoration and display in a public setting. We are seeking the advice of international experts in the to 2023*According data from Off-Highway to 2023 dataResearch from Off-Highway including Research all Kubotaincluding Group brand all Kubota sales. Group © Kubota brand Tractor sales.Corporation, © Kubota Tractor 2025. Your Corporation, Kubota Limited 2025. Your warranty Kubotagives Limited you warranty speci c legal givesrights. you speci You may c legal haverights. You may have *According to 2023 data fromfrom Off-Highway including Kubota Groupany brand sales. Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2025. Your warranty gives youlimited specifi c legalinrights. You may have field of art preservation during this *According other rights which vary otherfrom rights state which to state. vary Kubota state Tractor to Research state. Corporation Kubota Tractor doesallnot Corporation authorize does person not authorize to©create any for person KTC any to obligation create for KTC or liability anyKubota obligation otherLimited thanorthat liability stated other in the than that stated warranty. theThis limited material warranty. is This material is otherforrights which vary from state to state. Kubota Tractor Corporation does and not authorize anyorperson toorcreate for KTC use anyliability obligation orthe liability other than that stated in the limitedsafety warranty. This material is for descriptive purposes descriptive only. Kubota purposes disclaims only.allKubota representations disclaims and all representations warranties, express warranties, or implied, express any liability implied, fromortheany of thisfrom material. use Forofcomplete this material. warranty, For complete disclaimer,warranty, and disclaimer, product safety and and product and for descriptive purposes only. Kubota disclaims all representations and warranties, express or implied, or any liability from the use of this material. For complete warranty, disclaimer, safety and product and process.” incentive offer information, incentive offer information, your local Kubota consult dealer yourKubota local and the Kubota Owner’s dealer Warranty and theInformation Owner’s Warranty Guide for Information the Kubota Guide limited for warranty the Kubota onlimited all products. warranty VisitonKubotaUSA.com/disclaimers all products. Visit KubotaUSA.com/disclaimers for for more for more incentive offerconsult information, consult your local dealer and the Owner’s Warranty Information Guide for the Kubota limited warranty on all products. Visit KubotaUSA.com/disclaimers more

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When an announcement that historic murals would be removed from the Manti Utah Temple as part of renovation work was met with concern from lovers of the art, a decision was made to keep the murals in place and build an additional temple in Ephraim. Shown here are murals painted by Minerva Teichert in the Manti temple’s World Room. Even with this clarification, some remained concerned about the murals being removed from the temple. On May 1, 2021, a press conference was held at the Manti Tabernacle where Church President Russell M. Nelson — speaking via prerecorded message — announced that while the Manti Temple would still be renovated, the murals would stay. “As we have continued to seek the direction of the Lord on this matter,” President Nelson said, “we have been impressed to modify our earlier plans for the Manti Utah Temple so that the pioneer craftsmanship, artwork and character will be preserved, including the painted murals loved by so many. We will leave those murals where they are located now — inside the Manti Utah Temple.” At the same time, President Nelson announced that a new temple would be built in Ephraim, just 8 miles from the Manti Temple. 22 • Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026

The construction of a temple in Ephraim and the adjustments to the Manti Temple “will expand future opportunities for members in this temple district to participate in sacred temple ordinances and, at the same time, allow us to preserve the unique classical character and useful life of the historic Manti Utah Temple,” President Nelson said. “Every new temple built upon the earth brings with it an increase of Christlike service, goodness and love of God and of neighbor,” said Temple Department Executive Director Elder Kevin R. Duncan at the press conference. “We are especially thrilled that, similar to students who attend other colleges and universities, students who attend Snow College will now have an easily accessible temple in which to serve and worship.” Source: newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org

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JOHN SCOTT REFLECTS ON AN UNFORGETTABLE DAY WITH PRESIDENT RUSSELL M. NELSON In the spring of 2021, thenEphraim Mayor John G. Scott though it was odd that he received a personal invitation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ public relations department to attend a meeting at the Manti Tabernacle. He couldn’t attend due to a grandson’s baptism, but he was able to watch the event online. It was then that he heard a stunning announcement from Church President Russell M. Nelson: a temple would be built in Ephraim.

“As the import of this announcement began to settle upon me, I felt such a deep sense of gratitude, honor and pure joy as I realized that the God of Heaven was aware of our little community in a very personal way,” Scott said in a written account of his experience. “He was aware of the needs of Snow College students — and He was reaching out to us! As this began to settle upon my soul, all I could feel was joy.” The announcement was made on

Former Ephraim Mayor John G. Scott had this drawing by Steve Weller created as a reminder of the day he spent looking at potential sites for the new Ephraim Utah Temple with Church President Russell M. Nelson. 24 • Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026

Saturday, May 1, and as the weekend progressed, Scott began considering the infrastructure — including roads, electricity and water — the city would need to provide for such a structure. The following Monday, he met with city staff to begin considering where in the city a temple might be located. Scott also wrote a letter to President Nelson offering any assistance needed in selecting a site and constructing the new temple. On May 12, he received a phone call informing him that President Nelson would be visiting Ephraim on May 14 and inviting him to join the president as he visited potential temple sites in the city. Scott accepted the invitation; they visited two potential temple sites that day as well as other places of interest in Ephraim. The following is his account of his experience that day. “Last Friday I had the incredible opportunity to spend about 90 minutes with President Russell M. Nelson as he visited sites in Ephraim City for a new temple. As we initially met, he embraced me, and I looked at him and said, “President, I don’t know what in the world I’m doing here?” He replied, “ You’re the mayor of Ephraim and I need your help in seeing where we’re going to put this temple.” I was so, so humbled! “As we visited each site, President Nelson would ask very deep and penetrating questions about each location. As he looked at each site, I

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could see him thinking deeply and even perhaps envisioning a temple being at that location. I am a witness of the prophetic mantle that is upon President Nelson. I am a witness of the concern and love that he has for young single adults going to school at Snow College. “It was a delight to be with him. I sat next to him in the Suburban that we were driving in. That proximity gave me a chance to see this vibrant prophet up close and personal. We carried on a very lively conversation about temples, about Ephraim City, about Snow College, and about the future of Ephraim City. “He was intensely interested concerning the proximity of each of the temple sites to the housing units at Snow College. At several points we exited the Suburban and got out and looked at several of the sites on major thoroughfares in Ephraim City. I’m sure many of our residents driving by recognized President Nelson. “It was a blessing for me and a once in a lifetime experience to spend this time with a prophet of God. I bear witness of his prophetic mantel... My experience with President Nelson has taught me that God is ever mindful of his children, even acutely mindful of His children here in Ephraim City and of the students at Snow College and of the young single adults throughout Sanpete County and of each of His children throughout what will eventually become the Ephraim temple district.” Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026 • 25

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Breaking Ground A NEW TEMPLE UNDERWAY

The prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was a surprise participant at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ephraim Utah Temple on Aug. 27, 2022. It was one of only two temple groundbreakings that President Nelson presided over while he was president of the Church. The second was the groundbreaking for the Heber Valley Utah Temple, which was held just a few weeks later on Oct. 8, 2022. It was the first time a Church president had attended a temple groundbreaking since Aug. 17, 2013, when 26 • Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026

President Thomas S. Monson presided over the groundbreaking for the Hartford Connecticut Temple. President Russell M. Nelson’s surprise arrival at the event was met with reverence and tears from other guests attending the ceremony. President Nelson was accompanied by his wife, Wendy, and Elder Walter F. Gonzalez, a General Authority Seventy, and Elder Kevin R. Duncan, executive director of the Church’s Temple Department, and their wives. Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox, a native of Fairview, located 20 miles north of Ephraim, and other government

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leaders also attended the temple groundbreaking. “We pray that the construction of this temple may be accomplished to accommodate Thy divine purposes,” said President Nelson in the dedicatory prayer offered during the Ephraim groundbreaking. President Nelson continued, “We are deeply grateful for our ancestors. They have laid a foundation of faith that undergirds our spiritual strength. May we learn who they are, find their qualifying information and bless their lives with sacred rites offered vicariously in this holy house.” The first Latter-day Saints entered the Sanpete Valley in 1849. President Nelson’s family helped settle the valley. Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026 • 27

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“The history of this area includes my own family,” President Nelson said at the event, which was attended by invited guests. “My dear mother was born in Ephraim, not far from this very temple site. My father was born in Manti. Three of my four grandparents were born here in Ephraim. All eight of my great-grandparents lived in Ephraim.” Brigham Young first sent settlers to Sanpete County in November 1849, and they settled what is now Manti. Ephraim was first settled in 1854, primarily by pioneers who immigrated from Scandinavian countries. President Nelson’s great-grandparents were all converts to the Church of Jesus Christ in their native countries of England, Denmark, Norway and Sweden. President Nelson also rededicated the Manti Utah Temple on April 21, 2024, following a multi-year renovation of the historic structure. The Ephraim Utah Temple was built to serve more than 31,000 Latter-day Saints in Sanpete, Carbon and Emery counties. This includes Latter-day Saint students who attend nearby Snow College. A heavy rainstorm occurred just as the groundbreaking ceremony concluded, causing attendees to seek cover under a tent erected for the event. Sources: thechurchnews.com churchofjesuschrist.org churchofjesuschristtemples.org

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Photo by Christi C. Babbitt

Photo by Jenette Lanier

Construction of a Temple Photo by Linda Hill

Photo by Christi C. Babbitt

Photo by David D. Frame

Photo by Jenette Lanier

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Photo by Christi C. Babbitt

A Temple Next Door INSTITUTE INSTRUCTORS BELIEVE OPPORTUNITIES, BLESSINGS AWAIT SNOW COLLEGE STUDENTS

For years, Snow College students have watched the Ephraim Utah Temple rising next to their campus. They have followed its progress from announcement to groundbreaking to construction, eagerly anticipating the day its doors would open. Now, as the temple is prepared for its open house and dedication, instructors at the Ephraim Utah Institute of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe it will have a great impact on the lives of the young adults who will worship there. The institute serves students at Snow College as well as youth living in the Sanpete area. “The students are really excited about it,” said Larren LeFevre, institute director. “It’s something they’ve been looking forward to ever since it was announced.” During construction, the institute held twiceyearly walks to a church next to the temple site where missionaries assigned to the site updated them on construction progress. A rendering of the temple’s final appearance has been displayed in classrooms, and the temple has been a frequent topic in institute classes. “I’ve heard a lot of excitement about it. There’s something novel about having your own temple. It’s exciting, It’s new,” said institute instructor Mark Redd. “I think it’s going to ignite a fire in the young adults and the students in this area. It’s just one more way for the Lord to reach them and for them to reach out to the Lord.” The anticipation isn’t just about having a temple nearby; it’s only about a 10-minute drive for students to reach the Manti Utah Temple. Institute instructors believe the new Ephraim temple’s location next to the Snow College campus will make it easy for temple worship to become a natural part of students’ regular routines. “This is going to make it just that much more possible to be in the temple more often, and I know just seeing their commitment to institute that it’s going to translate into them being in the temple too,” Redd said. It is expected that Snow College students will not 32 • Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026

only attend the temple as patrons but also serve there as ordinance workers. LeFevre said the Ephraim Utah Temple presidency met with students at the end of Snow College’s last semester to learn what schedules would work

Farmers Floral & Gifts ﬂowers and gifts for every occasion best for them — both for attending temple sessions and filling shifts as temple workers. “I think that ties back to when President Nelson chose the spot for the Ephraim temple. One of his main concerns was he wanted it to be really close to the campus so the students can be the recipients of the temple and the blessings that are found there,” LeFevre said. Ben Bailey, who has taught at the

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institute for the past year, was struck by how many of his students already served as ordinance workers in the Manti Utah Temple despite balancing demanding academic schedules. “They were able to carve time out of their busy schedules to not just attend the temple but to serve as ordinance workers,” Bailey said. “It’s going to be an absolutely incredible experience for them to have that temple so close and to continue that habit, that routine that they’ve gotten into of being an ordinance worker and being a full-time student at the same time.” Bailey teaches an institute course titled “Connecting to Christ Through the Temple.” He said he has been inspired by students taking the class who made the sacrifice to serve in the temple; he could see through their countenance and participation in class that they had been blessed through their service.

“We know that’s just going to continue happening at a greater level with both temples,” he said. Fall semester classes begin Aug. 26 at Snow College, so students will be back in time to participate in the Ephraim Utah Temple open house set for Sept. 2-19. Institute students will be assisting at the open house in various capacities. “The timing of the open house and dedication (of the temple) is just perfect because it will allow the Snow College students a greater opportunity to participate,” LeFevre said. Ultimately, the temple will provide a place where students can find joy, peace and direction for their lives. “This is just a busy time of their life. There’s so many crossroads, so many decisions that need to be made,” Bailey said. “I think having a temple so close will make it easier for them to hear Him and get that connection in this time in their life that they so desperately crave.”

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The Art of Glass SCANDINAVIAN ART INSPIRED TEMPLE WINDOW DESIGNS

In the mid-1800s, the first settlers arrived in the Sanpete Valley to build new lives. Today, a descendant of those settlers has helped create the stained-glass windows in the new Ephraim Utah Temple, a lasting reminder of his relatives’ faith and sacrifice. “My ancestors on my father’s side are from Fountain Green and Mt. Pleasant, so this is as if I was doing it for my ancestors,” said Aaron Yorgason, vice president of and lead designer for Holdman Studios in Lehi. Holdman Studios has created architectural art glass for projects in more than 100 countries, including more than 36 • Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026

150 temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Multiple temples in Utah have art glass designed and created by Holdman Studios, including Payson, Saratoga Springs, Orem and Lindon. The business has 150 employees working in two locations: Thanksgiving Point in Lehi and in Ensenada, Mexico. Each window is assembled from hundreds of individually cut pieces of glass that are carefully selected for their color and texture and the way they interact with natural light.

A window for the Ephraim Utah Temple is assembled at Holdman Studios in Lehi.

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INSPIRATION FROM SCANDINAVIA

When designing stained glass for temples, Holdman Studios works with representatives of the Church and the building’s architectural firm. For the Ephraim temple, the architect was Method Studio of Salt Lake City. Carsten Angerhofer, design supervisor at Holdman Studios, said for the Ephraim temple, the design team wanted the windows to reflect the area’s Scandinavian heritage. Many of Sanpete County’s first settlers were from Scandinavia. “We had the thought, what if we looked at Scandinavian folk art, and

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THE SYMBOL OF WHEAT

Also featured in the Ephraim temple windows is the image of wheat. This is a nod to the longtime agricultural tradition of Sanpete County, but it also references the Relief Society granary that still stands on Ephraim’s Main Street today. Built in the 1870s, the granary was used by the women of the Relief Society organization to store wheat in case of lean years and also to help feed the poor. This grain program was extraordinarily successful and even donated to charitable causes outside of Utah. According to granaryarts.org, it was the longest running and most successful program in the history of the Relief Society. Angerhofer said special textured glass was used in the creation of the wheat to give it a more organic look. This amber glass shifts through yellow and gold shades, depending on the light filtering through it. In a few locations in the temple, the wheat has an “X”

design over it indicating the wheat stalks have been gathered into a sheaf. “We are all gathered into the sheaves. We are the wheat, each one of us. So this is bringing us together,” Yorgason said. As background to the floral and wheat motifs, specially manufactured glass shifts from blue to yellow “as if the heavens are being split open,” Holdman said. “We’ve used (this glass) in Orem, Lindon and also in Rock Canyon. We’ve used it quite a bit,” Holdman said. “It gives a calming effect to the room and the glass window.” Continued on page 40

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The Ephraim Utah Temple windows include representations of white forget-me-not flowers. what if we took something from the Scandinavian folk art and incorporated it into the design?” Angerhofer said. As a result, the Ephraim temple windows were inspired by a Scandinavian folk art technique known as “rosemaling.” This art form depicts flowers and ornamental designs in a flat, one-dimensional style with vibrant colors and flowing scrollwork. Tom Holdman, owner of Holdman Studios, said the intertwining patterns symbolize the eternal connections made through temple worship. “It’s this style that gives the impression of many elements being weaved into each other,” Holdman said. “And so, with that, it gives the impression that we are also weaving in the house of the Lord. We are stitching our ancestors and posterity together.” One of the most prominent motifs in the design is a five-petaled white flower that represents the forget-menot (known as förgätmigej in Swedish). In Scandinavian culture, the forget-me-not is a symbol of eternal love, remembrance and faithfulness. “What Latter-day Saints do in the temple for their ancestors is like the forget-me-not flower,” Holdman said. “We research our ancestry so we can forget them not.” 38 • Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026

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BRING LIGHT INTO YOUR HOME

Photo courtesy of Holdman Studios

At Holdman Studios, sketches like this one are drawn as part of the process of developing art glass window designs. This sketch was created as part of the design process for the Ephraim Utah Temple windows.

An outdoor view of one of the stainedglass windows Holdman Studios created for the Ephraim Utah Temple.

THE POWER OF STAINED GLASS

Stained glass has a long history. Created around A.D. 1000 in Europe, it was used as an education tool to help people who could not read learn the stories in the Bible. “From the beginning, it was created as its own language,” Holdman said. “As you look at a visual image, it speaks to you; whether you speak English or Spanish or Japanese, you understand it. Whether you are a member of our church or of a different church, it still speaks to you and you understand it. And that’s the power of art, and it is enhanced by stained glass.” Unlike other forms of art, stained glass has the additional aspect of light. How one experiences the art will differ depending on whether one is inside or outside, or whether it’s a sunny day or a cloudy one. This fact makes viewing art glass a fascinating and engaging experience. “As the sun rolls across the sky, the stained glass will alter and change,” Holdman said. “So it’s not just one piece of art, but hundreds of pieces of art, and so it is an ever-

40 • Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026

moving experience.” Yorgason said having art glass in a temple adds a great deal to the visitor’s experience. “It’s a huge factor in the overall aura or feel of the interior,” he said. “It’s a large part of the patron experience because when you’re in the temple, there’s a lot of time when you’re reflecting” and can take time to view the stained-glass windows. Both Holdman and Yorgason, who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said they have felt inspiration from heaven while working on temple projects. “No individual dictates the design. The team makes choices together and the team decides the direction. There are a thousand directions the design could go, and the team directs it down the pathway, and inspiration helps us complete it quicker,” Yorgason said. “I feel like our team gets inspiration from above, that God is the ultimate artist and we are tools in his hand. I absolutely believe that,” Holdman said.

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Temple to Temple YOUTH TREK STRENGTHENS FAITH, LINKS SANPETE’S SACRED HERITAGE

Photo courtesy of Lawrence A. Durtschi Jr.

44 • Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026

Courtesy of Lawrence A. Durtschi In the summer of 2022, just a little over a year after the announcement of the Ephraim Utah Temple, youth in the Ephraim Utah Stake gathered for a trek through the mountains of Sanpete County. This event, however was much more than simply a youth conference. It was a symbolic journey of faith — one that connected generations of Latter-day Saints and pointed participants toward an eternal destination. Appropriately titled “Temple to Temple – Trek Home to Eternity,” the Ephraim Utah Stake’s pioneer trek invited youth and leaders to travel a meaningful route from the historic Manti Utah Temple to the future site of the Ephraim Utah Temple. The three-day trek held July 14-16 followed trails through Manti Canyon, crossed Willow

Creek and descended through Ephraim Canyon before concluding near the temple site in Ephraim. The trek was open to all youth living within the Ephraim Stake boundaries who were between the ages of 14 and 18. While pioneer treks often commemorate the sacrifices of the early Saints, this experience carried an additional layer of symbolism. Participants began at one of the Church’s pioneer-era temples — a landmark that has served generations of faithful members — and concluded near the site of a newly announced temple, representing the continuing growth of the Church and the blessings of temple worship for future generations. Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026 • 45

The theme, “Trek Home to Eternity,” was inspired by Isaiah 2:2-3, reminding participants that the House of the Lord is a place where God teaches His people and invites them to walk in His ways. The trek’s goals included strengthening testimonies, deepening faith in Jesus Christ, increasing appreciation for temple covenants, encouraging family history work and helping youth better understand their role in the gathering of Israel. For those who participated, the journey became far more than a physical hike through the mountains. “This trek experience was amazing,” organizers recalled. “Faith and testimonies were built and strengthened among the youth and leaders of the Ephraim Stake.” The influence of those few days has continued long after the handcarts were put away. Many of the young men and women who walked the trail in 2022 are now serving full-time missions throughout the world, carrying with them the spiritual experiences and testimonies that were strengthened during the trek. Organizers intentionally designed the route to symbolize the connection between Sanpete County’s rich pioneer heritage and its bright future. Beginning at the beloved Manti Temple honored the faith and sacrifices of early pioneers who built one of Utah’s first temples. Ending at the Ephraim Temple site represented looking forward with hope as another house of the Lord was constructed to bless future generations.

According to the trek website, organizers hoped participants would “feel the sacredness of this symbolic trail” and remember “the importance of the trek home to eternity, through covenants made in the House of the Lord.” Today, with the Ephraim Utah Temple completed and ready to bless thousands throughout central Utah, the memories of that 2022 journey carry even greater meaning. What began as a trek between two temple locations became a powerful reminder that every disciple is on a lifelong journey toward Jesus Christ and eternal life. The story of “Temple to Temple – Trek Home to Eternity” stands as a testament that, while trails eventually end, the path of faith continues. For the youth who walked from temple to temple, the experience was not simply about honoring the past — it was about preparing for the future and learning that every covenant made in the House of the Lord helps lead each of us home to eternity. A video documenting the trek, produced by Gilbert Rowley, captures many of the sights, experiences and spiritual moments that made the event so memorable and continues to inspire those who watch it. The video may be viewed at ephraimtemple.com/videos. Additional information about the trek is available at the Ephraim Stake’s Trek Home to Eternity website, ephraimtemple.com.

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Lindsay gathered the children inside the temple replica and asked them to sit down. It was then that disaster struck: the temple steeple started to collapse. The children were quickly ushered outside. While other adults worked quickly to rebuild the temple, Lindsay quietly prayed for guidance about what to say to the children.

A plan was made to hold a day camp in the summer of 2022 for all stake Primary children. The camp would

A LIFE LESSON LEARNED

V DOT MEATS D

A PVC TEMPLE

offer a full day or activities centered on the new Ephraim temple. However, Lindsay wanted to have a central activity during the camp that really made an impact, something that required the children work together. During a discussion with her previous ward Primary presidency counselors, one mentioned that her son had constructed forts out of PVC pipe — could the children build a PVC temple? The answer was yes. Stake member Shelly Dos Santos was asked to design the structure. “I told her I wanted it to be kind of big,” Lindsay said. “I wanted it to be impressionable so they would never forget their activity.” In May of 2022, stake and ward Primary leaders met for a retreat, where they discussed plans for the day camp. While they were there, the PVC temple — measuring 22 feet long and 12 feet wide with a 14-foot front steeple and a 10-foot rear steeple — was built for the first time to ensure it would work for the children.

REA

When President Russell M. Nelson announced construction of the Ephraim Utah Temple in 2021, the Ephraim Utah Stake began looking for ways to prepare its members spiritually for the addition of this sacred edifice to their community. Among those inspired to act was Cindy Lindsay, who, as stake primary president at the time, wanted even the youngest children to feel they had an important role in the journey. “As a Primary, we wanted to provide a spiritual and uplifting experience that the children would tell to their children and grandchildren,” Lindsay said. The resulting activities and experiences included building a temple replica and singing to support others making their own trek to the temple.

A month later, in June 2022, the day camp was held at Heritage Grove Campground in Mt. Pleasant. Groups of Primary children rotated through various activity stations, each offering a spiritual message. As each group reached the PVC temple, they helped build it a little higher. By the end of the day, the towering structure was complete.

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Ephraim Utah Stake Primary children pose inside a temple replica they built out of PVC pipe during a day camp centered on the construction of the new Ephraim Utah Temple.

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Shelly Dos Santos poses with two golden umbrellas used by Ephraim Utah State children to build a replica of the Ephraim Utah Temple. Dos Santos created the PVC structure’s design. She remembered a young woman she had known while coaching basketball at Snow College. The student, who used a wheelchair, had once explained why she continued trying for opportunities others thought were beyond her reach. “I just wanted the right to try,” the young woman had said. Lindsay told the children that, like the steeple falling off their recently completed temple replica, even when people do their best, life doesn’t always go as planned. That is why Jesus Christ provided His Atonement and the blessing of second chances. Just as she finished speaking, the repaired steeple was lifted back into place. “It was cool, the timing and how it all ended,” Lindsay said. The children then gathered around the temple they had built and sang a song they had learned that year: “Teach Me About the Temple.”

Members of the Ephraim Utah Stake Primary Presidency stand in front of a replica of the Ephraim Utah

Temple. They are, from left: Ogie Gankhuyag, Cindy Lindsay, Sandra Summers and Lisle Dewey.

envisioned the PVC temple playing a role in it. After the Primary day camp, the structure was carefully taken apart and later rebuilt at the stake center, where it remained hidden from the youth as they completed their handcart journey. On the day the youth were to arrive in Ephraim, the Primary children gathered at the stake center wearing white T-shirts they had received for their day camp, each shirt displaying a silhouette of the Ephraim temple created from the children’s last names. They lined up along the route where the youth would turn into the church’s parking lot, with the PVC temple rising at the end of the line. As the exhausted youth entered the lot and approached

the temple, the Primary children again sang “Teach Me About the Temple.” Lindsay said she still remembers watching Church lea ders walk through the line of singing children, many with tears in their eyes. “I will never forget the connection with the Primary presidents and the kids and mostly my Heavenly Father, to be honest,” she said. “I felt very close during that time. I was an extension of helping the children feel that love.”

A TEMPLE TREK

While the Primary children were learning about the temple that summer, a stake pioneer trek titled “Temple to Temple – Trek Home to Eternity” was also being planned for stake youth ages 14 to 18. Beginning at the Manti Utah Temple, the youth walked and pushed handcarts through the mountains above Manti and Ephraim; they ended their three-day journey at the Ephraim Stake Center near the Ephraim Utah Temple construction site. The stake presidency had expressed a desire for all ages to somehow be involved in the trek somehow, and Lindsay 50 • Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026

Photo by Gilbert Rowley

Ephraim Utah Stake youth and leaders stand near a replica of the Ephraim Utah Temple at the end of the

stake’s “Temple to Temple – Trek Home to Eternity” pioneer trek. Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026 • 51

Cookies & Kindness

MODERN FURNITURE

ONE EPHRAIM FAMILY’S SWEET WEEKLY SERVICE

What began as a simple visit to the Ephraim Utah Temple construction site turned into a 21-month family tradition that left a lasting impression on three young children and the workers building the temple. On Feb. 14, 2024, Bethany Tripp took her three children

Photo courtesy of Bethany Tripp

(From left) Sophia, Louella and Orson Tripp are shown with their mother Bethany Tripp while helping hand out cookies to workers at the Ephraim Utah Temple construction site. 52 • Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026

to visit the temple’s construction site, which is near the family’s Ephraim home. While there, they stopped at a temporary visitors’ center operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where they met Elder and Sister Hill, the missionaries assigned to the temple site. During the temple’s construction, stakes within the temple’s district provided cookies that the Hills handed out to construction workers once a week. By chance, the Hills were in the middle of preparing for that week’s cookie distribution when the Tripps arrived. The missionaries invited the Tripp family to join them as they handed out cookies that day. “We thought, yeah, that would be a fun thing to do,” Bethany said. The response to receiving cookies from the children was heart-warming, with smiles and laughter from the workers. Afterward, the Hills invited the family to join them on “cookie Wednesday” any time they liked. That invitation led to nearly two years of Bethany and her three children — Orson, Louella and Sophia — walking to the temple every Wednesday to hand out cookies. They rarely missed a week, regardless of rain, snow or cold weather. Each week, the construction workers were excited to see the children with their cookies. “There were a few construction workers who were so elated, and every time they saw our kids, they would be so enthusiastic about seeing the kids there, like it was a real reprieve from work,” Bethany said. “They would give them high fives and bump fists.” The three children would wait just outside the fence encompassing the construction site and hand the cookies to the workers as they left for their lunch break. Attached to the bagged cookies were thank-you notes collected at the visitors’ center and copied by the missionaries so every worker received a message of appreciation. The weekly visits soon became part of the family’s routine. Bethany would remind her children it was cookie day and ask if they wanted to go — the answer was always a firm yes. Sometimes other treats were passed out, such as hot cocoa in the winter and popsicles in the summer. “I imagine that it helped lift the morale (for the

workers) and helped them step up the responsibility and realize how important this temple is to the community,” Bethany said of the experience. For Orson, Louella and Sophia — who were 5, 3 and 1 when they first started passing out cookies — the cookie distribution was a highlight in their life. “They would talk about how they loved seeing the smiles on the construction workers faces just by handing them a cookie,” Bethany said. Sophia, who wasn’t walking when the cookie tradition began, was especially popular with the workers as they watched her grow to the point where she could walk up to them hand them a cookie. “It was very sweet to see her grow up that way beside the temple progress,” Bethany said. The family’s last day of giving out cookies came in November 2025 as construction wrapped up. “That was difficult because it had become such a routine for us,” Bethany said. The kids would ask when they were going back to hand out cookies, and their mother would gently remind them that construction was done. Now, the family is looking forward to attending the temple’s open house. “They (the children) keep asking, ‘When is the Ephraim temple open house?’ They have been looking forward to it and we’re counting down the days,” Bethany said. “We have spent many hours outside of the temple, and it’s going to be so fun to finally see what it’s like on the inside.”

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Logo with Meaning WHAT BEGAN AS ARTWORK FOR A 2016 LEADERSHIP COURSE BECAME A MEANINGFUL CONNECTION TO THE FUTURE EPHRAIM TEMPLE

Courtesy of Lawrence A. Durtschi Sometimes the significance of a moment is not fully understood until years later. That was the experience of many who participated in the first Wood Badge leadership course sponsored by the Ephraim Utah Stake under the leadership of President Troy C. Birch in the summer of 2016 — five years before President Russell M. Nelson announced the Ephraim Utah Temple and nearly six years before The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints released the temple’s architectural rendering. Wood Badge is Scouting’s premier adult leadership training program; it’s designed to develop leadership skills that participants take back to their families, churches, workplaces and communities. For the Ephraim Utah Stake, the course became much more than leadership training. Many who attended later served as stake leaders, bishops and youth leaders and in other positions of service, strengthening the Church throughout Sanpete County. The course centered on the theme “Follow the Savior, He Knows the Way. He Is the Way!” presented by Ken Barber, second councilor in the Ephraim Stake Presidency. As preparations were underway, organizers wanted a logo that would visually represent the course’s focus on following Jesus Christ. Vaopele Tiatia, a graphic designer who had previously served on a Wood Badge course, began creating the artwork. His first concept featured the familiar spire of the historic Manti Utah Temple, an iconic landmark that has long represented the faith and pioneer heritage of the Sanpete Valley. But something didn’t feel quite right to Vao. After creating numerous versions, Vao set aside the Manti 54 • Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026

Photo courtesy of Lawrence A. Durtschi

Temple design and instead developed a logo based on the distinctive architecture of the Kirtland Temple. The design symbolized the first temple built in this dispensation and reflected the course’s emphasis on following the Savior and building faithful leaders for the future.

Not everyone initially expected the change. “I really wanted the Manti Temple spire,” recalled course director Lawrence Durtschi. “I’ve always loved the Manti Temple. That’s where my wife and I were married and sealed for time and all eternity. But as we worked through the design, the final logo simply felt right.” At the time, no one imagined the significance that decision would later carry. On March 4, 2022, the Church released the artist’s rendering of the newly announced Ephraim Utah Temple. To the surprise of many who had participated in the 2016 Wood Badge course, the temple’s elegant central spire bore a striking resemblance to the logo they had adopted years earlier. For those involved in the course, the similarity was deeply meaningful. While they recognize it as a matter of personal faith and proof of divine intervention, many see the experience as a reminder that God often prepares His people long before they recognize His purposes. “It became another testimony that Heavenly Father is in the details,” one organizer reflected.

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settlement, Ephraim was the most important fort in the Sanpete area from its founding until the end of the Black Hawk War in 1868. The city was incorporated in 1868, and by 1872, a tabernacle had been built in the city. While nearby Manti became the Sanpete County seat, Ephraim saw greater population growth. Today, with approximately 6,400 residents (as of July 1, 2025), it is

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In the fall of 1849, Church President Brigham Young sent the first settlers to the Sanpete Valley. After first settling in the area now known as Manti, the pioneers began scouting other locations for potential settlements. Within the next five years, several new settlements were founded. These included what became known as Ephraim, founded in 1854. Originally located next to a large Native American

Sanpete County’s largest city. Work by missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the mid-1800s in the countries of Scandinavia resulted in thousands of converts. Many of those converts emigrated to the United States and, eventually, made the trek to join their fellow Saints in Utah, where they spread out to various areas of the territory. While several clusters of Scandinavian converts occurred

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Downtown Ephraim is shown in April of 1917. At left is the Ephraim Tabernacle.

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Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026 • 59

in northern Utah, the most significant grouping of the Scandinavian Saints occurred in Sanpete County. By 1870, 80% of Sanpete County’s population was first- and secondgeneration Scandinavian. In Ephraim, the concentration was even more significant, with the population at 94% Scandinavian. At one point, about half of all Ephraim residents had one of eight surnames (Anderson, Christensen, Hansen, Jensen, Larson, Nielsen, Olsen, or Peterson). In 1888, the Sanpete Stake Academy was founded in Ephraim by Danish settlers to educate local children. The first class of 150 met on the top floor of the Co-op Store at Main Street and 100 North; the building still stands today. In 1900, the school was in trouble financially, and its principal traveled to Church headquarters to ask for assistance. Church president Lorenzo Snow agreed to set aside $2,000 for the school’s yearly appropriation. In gratitude, the people of Sanpete renamed the institution Snow Academy after Lorenzo Snow and, at Snow’s request, pioneer Erastus Snow. The name was changed to Snow

Photos used by permission, Utah State Historical Society

Ephraim in September of 1916. Junior College in 1922 and Snow College in 1923. Due to financial difficulties experienced during the Great Depression, the school was deeded to the State of Utah in 1931. The school survived its challenges and in 1951, Snow became a branch of Utah State Agricultural College (now Utah State University) in Logan. It remained an adjunct to USU until 1969 when it became a member of the State System of Higher Education. Today, Ephraim celebrates its Scandinavian roots with the

The Ephraim Public Library in 1938.

Scandinavian Festival, which is held on the Friday and Saturday of Memorial Day weekend each year. Begun in 1976 as a fundraiser to put roofs on two historic landmarks in the city, the festival is now the biggest Scandinavian festival in the western United States and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025. Sources: “A History of Sanpete County,” by Albert C.T. Antrei & Allen D. Roberts census.gov uen.org/utah-history-encyclopedia/e/ EPHRAIM.shtml snow.edu/offices/administration/ historical-sketch.html scandifest.org/about/

Fourth Generation Family Owned Since 1948 Snow College in 1938. 60 • Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026

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Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026 • 61

What’s Next for Utah Temples A total of four temples are currently under construction or undergoing renovation in Utah, while another four have been announced and are in the planning phase. These temple sites stretch from Smithfield, located about 11 miles from Utah’s northern border with Idaho, to the small town of Price in central Utah. When all these temples are completed, Utah will have a total of 32 operating temples within its border.

The former Provo Utah Temple is being reconstructed as the new Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple near the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo. Photo by Brent Ririe

62 • Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026

Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026 • 63

Utah Temples Under Construction, Being Renovated or Announced

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SMITHFIELD UTAH TEMPLE

800 W. 100 North, Smithfield Announced: April 4, 2021 Groundbreaking: June 18, 2022 Total floor area: 81,000 square feet Site: 13.3 acres Major construction completed, open house and dedication dates not yet announced.

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SALT LAKE TEMPLE

50 W. North Temple Street, Salt Lake City Original dedication: April 6-24, 1893 Closed for renovation: Dec. 29, 2019 Total floor area: 382,207 square feet Site: 10 acres Public open house planned for April 5 through October 1, 2027.

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64 • Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026

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PROVO UTAH ROCK CANYON TEMPLE

2200 Temple Hill Drive, Provo Original dedication: Feb. 9, 1972 Reconstruction announced: Oct. 3, 2021 Temple closed for reconstruction: Feb. 24, 2024 Total floor area: 163,000 square feet Site: 15.4 acres Exterior cladding and sheathing and window installation underway along with landscaping of the grounds.

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HEBER VALLEY UTAH TEMPLE 1400 E. Center St., Heber City Announced: Oct. 3, 2021 Groundbreaking: Oct. 8, 2022 Total floor area: 87,626 square feet Site: 18.17 acres Foundation work underway.

WEST JORDAN UTAH TEMPLE Approximately 7148 South (west of Highway 111), West Jordan Announced: April 7, 2024 Total floor area: 85,000 square feet Site: 16.1 acres In planning and approval phase, no groundbreaking date set.

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66 • Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026

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Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026 • 67

LEHI UTAH TEMPLE

3950 N. Center Street, Lehi Announced: April 7, 2024 Total floor area: 85,000 square feet Site: 22.48 acres In planning and approval phase, site preparation work underway, no groundbreaking date set.

PRICE UTAH TEMPLE

Announced: Oct. 6, 2024 In planning and approval phase; exact site location has not been announced. Groundbreaking date not yet announced.

SPANISH FORK UTAH TEMPLE 100 S. 2550 East, Spanish Fork Announced: April 6, 2025 Total floor area: Approximately 80,000 square feet Site: 8.7 acres In planning and approval phase, no groundbreaking date set.

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by Gtelco “broadband at the speed of light” Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026 • 69

UTAH’S EXISTING TEMPLES

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SALT LAKE TEMPLE

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70 • Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026

50 W. North Temple, Salt Lake City Currently closed for renovation Total floor area: 382,207 square feet Site: 10 acres Ordinance rooms: Five instruction rooms with separate veil room, 22 sealing rooms, two baptistries Dedicated: April 6-24, 1893, by Wilford Woodruff 4th dedicated temple in operation 4th dedicated temple in Utah

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510 N. 200 East, Manti Total floor area: 74,792 square feet Site: 27 acres Ordinance rooms: Four instruction rooms, nine sealing rooms, one baptistry Dedicated: May 21-23, 1888 by Lorenzo Snow 3rd dedicated temple in operation 3rd dedicated temple in Utah

175 N. 300 East, Logan Total floor area: 119,619 square feet Site: 9 acres Ordinance rooms: Four instruction rooms with separate veil room, 11 sealing rooms, one baptistry Dedicated: May 17-19, 1884, by John Taylor 2nd dedicated temple in operation 2nd dedicated temple in Utah

250 E. 400 South, St. George Total floor area: 143,969 sq. ft. Site: 6.5 acres Ordinance rooms: Three instruction rooms with separate veil room, 18 sealing rooms, and one baptistry Dedicated: April 6-8, 1877, by Daniel H. Wells (with Brigham Young presiding) 1st dedicated temple in operation 1st dedicated temple in Utah

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UTAH’S EXISTING TEMPLES

OGDEN UTAH TEMPLE

350 22nd Street, Ogden Total floor area: 112,232 square feet Site: 9.96 acres Ordinance rooms: Six instruction rooms, nine sealing rooms, one baptistry Dedicated: Jan. 18-20, 1972 by Joseph Fielding Smith 14th dedicated temple in operation 5th dedicated temple in Utah

PROVO UTAH ROCK CANYON TEMPLE

(Formerly known as the Provo Utah Temple) 2200 Temple Hill Drive, Provo Currently closed for reconstruction Total floor area: 163,000 square feet Site: 15.4 acres Ordinance rooms: Six instruction rooms, eight sealing rooms and two baptistries Original dedication of Provo Utah Temple: Feb. 9, 1972, by Joseph Fielding Smith (read by Harold B. Lee) 15th dedicated temple in operation 6th dedicated temple in Utah

UTAH’S EXISTING TEMPLES

MT. TIMPANOGOS UTAH TEMPLE

742 N. 900 East, American Fork Total floor area: 107,240 square feet Site: 16.7 acres Ordinance rooms: Four instruction rooms, eight sealing rooms, one baptistry Dedicated: Oct. 13-19, 1996 by Gordon B. Hinckley 49th dedicated temple in operation 9th dedicated temple in Utah

VERNAL UTAH TEMPLE

420 W. 200 South, Vernal Total floor area: 38,771 square feet Site: 1.6 acres Ordinance rooms: Two instruction rooms (two-stage progressive), three sealing rooms, one baptistry Dedicated: Nov. 2-4, 1997 by Gordon B. Hinckley 51st dedicated temple in operation 10th dedicated temple in Utah

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JORDAN RIVER UTAH TEMPLE

10200 S. 1300 West, South Jordan Total floor area: 148,236 square feet Site: 15 acres Ordinance rooms: Six instruction rooms, 16 sealing rooms, one baptistry Dedicated: Nov. 16–20, 1981, by Marion G. Romney 20th dedicated temple in operation 7th dedicated temple in Utah

72 • Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026

BOUNTIFUL UTAH TEMPLE

640 S. Bountiful Blvd., Bountiful Total floor area: 104,000 square feet Site: 9 acres Ordinance rooms: Four instruction rooms, eight sealing rooms, one baptistry Dedicated: January 8-14, 1995, by Howard W. Hunter 47th dedicated temple in operation 8th dedicated temple in Utah

365 N. 200 West, Monticello Total floor area: 11,225 square feet Site: 1.33 acres Ordinance rooms: Two instruction rooms (two-stage progressive), two sealing rooms, one baptistry Dedicated: July 26-27, 1998, by Gordon B. Hinckley 53rd dedicated temple in operation 11th dedicated temple in Utah Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026 • 73

UTAH’S EXISTING TEMPLES

DRAPER UTAH TEMPLE

14065 Canyon Vista Lane, Draper Total floor area: 58,300 square feet Site: 12 acres Ordinance rooms: Four instruction rooms (two-stage progressive), five sealing rooms, one baptistry Dedicated: March 20-22, 2009 by Thomas S. Monson 129th dedicated temple in operation 12th dedicated temple in Utah

OQUIRRH MOUNTAIN UTAH TEMPLE 11022 S. 4000 West, South Jordan Total floor area: 60,000 square feet Site: 11 acres Ordinance rooms: Four instruction rooms (two-stage progressive), seven sealing rooms, one baptistry Dedicated: Aug. 21-23, 2009, by Thomas S. Monson 130th dedicated temple in operation 13th dedicated temple in Utah

UTAH’S EXISTING TEMPLES

PROVO CITY CENTER TEMPLE

50 S. University Ave., Provo Total floor area: 85,084 square feet Site: 5.6 acres Ordinance rooms: Three instruction rooms (two-stage progressive), five sealing rooms, one baptistry Dedicated: March 20, 2016 150th dedicated temple worldwide 16th dedicated temple in Utah

CEDAR CITY UTAH TEMPLE

280 S. Cove Drive, Cedar City Total floor area: 42,657 square feet Site: 9.5 acres Ordinance rooms: Two instruction rooms, three sealing rooms, one baptistry Dedicated: Dec. 10, 2017, by Henry B. Eyring 159th dedicated temple in operation 17th dedicated temple in Utah

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BRIGHAM CITY UTAH TEMPLE

250 S. Main, Brigham City Total floor area: 36,000 square feet Site: 3.14 acres Ordinance rooms: Two instruction rooms (two-stage progressive), three sealing rooms, one baptistry Dedicated: Sept. 23, 2012, by Boyd K. Packer 139th dedicated temple in operation 14th dedicated temple in Utah

74 • Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026

PAYSON UTAH TEMPLE

1494 S. 930 West, Payson Total floor area: 96,630 square feet Site: 10.63 acres Ordinance rooms: Three instruction rooms, seven sealing rooms, one baptistry Dedicated: June 7, 2015 146th dedicated temple worldwide 15th dedicated temple in Utah

SARATOGA SPRINGS UTAH TEMPLE

987 S. Ensign Drive, Saratoga Springs Total floor area: 97,836 square feet Site: 22.71 acres Ordinance rooms: Four instruction rooms, six sealing rooms, one baptistry Dedication: Aug. 13, 2023, by President Henry B. Eyring 179th dedicated temple in operation 18th dedicated temple in Utah

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UTAH’S EXISTING TEMPLES

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OREM UTAH TEMPLE

1451 S. 1100 West, Orem Total floor area: 71,998 square feet Site: 15.39 acres Ordinance rooms: Four instruction rooms, four sealing rooms, one baptistry Dedication: Jan. 21, 2024 by Elder D. Todd Christofferson 188th dedicated temple in operation 19th dedicated temple in Utah

RED CLIFFS UTAH TEMPLE

1555 S. Red Cliffs Temple Lane, St. George Total floor area: 96,277 square feet Site: 15.31 acres Ordinance rooms: Four instruction rooms, six sealing rooms, one baptistry Dedication: March 24, 2024, by President Henry B. Eyring 189th dedicated temple in operation 20th dedicated temple in Utah

Photo by Rory Wallwork

TAYLORSVILLE UTAH TEMPLE

2603 W. 4700 South, Taylorsville Total floor area: 73,492 square feet Site: 7.5 acres Ordinance rooms: Four instruction rooms, four sealing rooms, one baptistry Dedicated: June 2, 2024, by Gerrit W. Gong 192nd dedicated temple worldwide 21st dedicated temple in Utah

UTAH’S EXISTING TEMPLES

LAYTON UTAH TEMPLE

1400 Oak Hills Drive, Layton Total floor area: 95,539 square feet Site: 11.8 acres Ordinance rooms: Four instruction rooms, six sealing rooms, one baptistry Dedication: June 16, 2024, by David A. Bednar 195th dedicated temple worldwide 22nd dedicated temple in Utah

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DESERET PEAK UTAH TEMPLE

2400 N. 400 West, Tooele Total floor area: 71,998 square feet Site: 17.98 acres Ordinance rooms: Four instruction rooms, four sealing rooms, one baptistry Dedication: Nov. 10, 2024, by Russell M. Nelson 200th dedicated temple worldwide 23rd dedicated temple in Utah

SYRACUSE UTAH TEMPLE

1098 S. 2500 West, Syracuse Total floor area: 90,526 square feet Site: 12.27 acres Ordinance rooms: Four instruction rooms, four sealing rooms, two baptistries Dedication: June 8, 2025, by Russell M. Nelson 206th dedicated temple worldwide 24th dedicated temple in Utah

Photo by Brent Ririe

LINDON UTAH TEMPLE

850 E. Center Street, Lindon Total floor area: 87,005 square feet Site: 11.87 acres Ordinance rooms: Four instruction rooms, four sealing rooms, two baptistries Dedication: May 3, 2026, by Henry B. Eyring 216th dedicated temple worldwide 25th dedicated temple in Utah

Source: churchofjesuschristtemples.org 76 • Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026

Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026 • 77

Utah Temples Facts

• Utah’s largest temple: Salt Lake Temple, 382,207 square feet. In fact, it is the largest temple in the world. • Utah’s smallest temple: Monticello Utah Temple, 11,225 square feet. The smallest temple in the world is currently the Colonia Juarez Chihuahua Mexico Temple at 6,800 square feet.

• Highest Utah temple elevation: Monticello Utah Temple, 7,098 feet above sea level. It is the 12th highest temple in the world in elevation; the first is the Cusco Peru Temple at 11,333 feet. • Utah’s first temple: St. George Utah Temple, dedicated April 6-8, 1877. • Utah’s most recently announced temple: Spanish Fork Utah Temple, announced April 6, 2025. • Next temple to be completed in Utah: The Ephraim Utah Temple, followed by the Smithfield Utah Temple. • Shortest time from groundbreaking to dedication for a Utah temple: Monticello Utah Temple, 8 months 9 days. • Longest time from groundbreaking to dedication for a Utah temple: Salt Lake Temple, 40 years, 1 month and 20 days. • First temple to be dedicated in the State of Utah: Ogden Utah Temple, Jan. 18-20, 1972. Four temples (St. George, Logan, Manti and Salt Lake) were dedicated while Utah was still a territory. • First Utah temple to be created from an existing building: Vernal Utah Temple. • Two Utah temples that received angel Moroni statues after their original dedications: Ogden Utah and Provo Utah temples. • Only Utah temple to feature an angel Moroni statue holding gold plates: Jordan River Utah Temple. • Five Utah temples that do not bear the name of the city where they are located: Jordan River Utah Temple (South Jordan), Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple (American Fork), Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple (South Jordan), Red Cliffs Utah Temple (St. George) and Deseret Peak Utah Temple (Tooele). Source: churchofjesuschristtemples.org 78 • Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026

The St. George Utah Temple Ephraim Temple Magazine 2026 • 79

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