A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify the beginning of construction, was held on September 15, 1969, conducted by Brown. The site was also dedicated on the same day by Joseph Fielding Smith. It was built with a modern single-spire design, similar to the original design of the Ogden Utah Temple. The spire is on top of a rounded base constructed on a rectangular foundation.
In 2021, the church announced plans to reconstruct the temple after dedication of the Orem Utah Temple.[4] The temple closed for reconstruction in February 2024. In the same month, the church announced that following reconstruction the temple will be known as the Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple.[5][6]
Provo Utah TempleProvo Utah Temple
History
Since Provo's early years, a hill just northeast of downtown Provo was known as "Temple Hill". Instead of a temple, however, the Maeser Building was built on the hill in 1911 as a part of the BYU campus. A 17-acre (69,000m2) block of property at the base of Rock Canyon was chosen as the site for the Provo Temple.[2][7] The preliminary plans called for a four-story structure of 130,825 square feet.
The temple was announced by the counselors in the First Presidency, Hugh B. Brown and N. Eldon Tanner, during a meeting with 28 local stake presidencies, on August 14, 1967. A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify the beginning of construction, was held on September 15, 1969. The temple was dedicated on February 9, 1972, by church president Joseph Fielding Smith. The two dedicatory services were broadcast to several large auditoriums on the BYU campus, including the 22,700-seat Marriott Center.
Design and architecture
Emil B. Fetzer, the architect for the Ogden and Provo temples, was asked to create a functional design with efficiency, convenience, and reasonable cost as key factors.[8]
The temple sits on a 17-acre site, with its surrounding landscaping featuring gardens, fountains, and walkways. These elements are designed to provide a tranquil setting that enhances the sacred atmosphere of the site.
Views about the architectural design from the temple have been seen as representing the "pillar of cloud" by day, and the "pillar of fire" by night, guiding the children of Israel.[8]
The structure stands four stories tall, constructed with precast concrete, gold anodized aluminum grills, and bronze glass panels. The exterior is characterized by its rounded shape, single spire, and Gothic-like arch designs, each chosen for their symbolic significance and alignment with temple traditions.
The interior features murals, crystal and glass chandeliers, and gold detailing, found throughout the temple, designed to create a spiritually uplifting environment. The temple had 6 instruction rooms, used for the endowment, and 12 sealing rooms, all surrounded by a circular hallway, and has a total floor area of 128,325 square feet (11,921.8m2).[2] The general contractor for the temple was Hogan and Tingey.
Symbolic elements are integrated into the design, providing deeper meaning to the temple's function and aesthetics. Incorporated into the design are symbolic elements representing the Bible and Book of Mormon which provide deeper spiritual meaning to the temple's appearance and function. Symbolism is important to church members. These symbols include the central spire and baptismal font. To members of the church, the central spire represents reaching upwards to heaven. In this temple, the central spire was originally painted gold to symbolize the pillar of fire by night set upon a large white building that represented the pillar of cloud by day, referring to the Israelites in their exodus from Egypt spoken of in Exodus 13:21-22. In the temple, baptismal fonts rest on the back of 12 oxen, symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel.[9]
Renovations
Over the years, the Provo Utah Temple has undergone several renovations to preserve its structural integrity, update facilities, and enhance its spiritual and aesthetic appeal. The most significant prior renovation project began in 2003.
The original designs for the temple featured a golden spire with an angel Moroni covered in gold leaf atop the spire. This statue was later removed from the plan. Thirty-one years after the temple's completion, a statue of the angel Moroni was added to the spire, which itself was changed from gold to white.[10] With the current renovations that commenced in February 2024, the designs do not include an angel Moroni statue.[11]
In the October 2021 general conference, church president Russell M. Nelson announced the temple would be reconstructed following the dedication of the Orem Utah Temple (which was dedicated in January 2024).[12][13] The new design will not reflect the modernist plans of the original building, despite some opposition from community members.[8][4] The new designs are similar to other contemporary temples, including the Orem Utah and Deseret Peak Utah temples.[4][14]
In February 2024, the church announced that following reconstruction, the temple would be renamed the Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple.[15]
Cultural and community impact
Throughout the 1960s, enrollment at BYU in Provo, Utah expanded, and church membership grew. The Logan, Manti, and Salt Lake temples were overcrowded, with about 52% of all temple ordinances being performed in those 3 temples. Construction in Ogden and Provo was completed to ease the impact on the other temples. The Ogden and Provo temples were built at the same time with similar designs to increase efficiency and economize the building process.[16][17]
In the spring of 1983, major flooding in the region threatened the temple.[18] On May 29, 1983, the city, with help from volunteers, turned Temple View Drive into a temporary river.[18][19]
In 2020, like all the church's temples, the temple was closed for a time in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[20] It reopened on May 11, 2020, for limited use, and then completely reopened on June 14, 2021.[21]
A temple-to-temple run is held annually between the Provo and Provo City Center temples.[22]
Purpose
A temple is where church members go to make sacred promises, or covenants, and perform ordinances for themselves or on behalf of their deceased ancestors.[1] These ordinances include baptism and confirmation, washing and anointing, endowment, and sealing. While the grounds are open to everyone, only church members who hold a current temple recommend enter the temple to participate in the ordinances.[23]
In large part because of its location across the street from a Missionary Training Center and proximity to BYU, the Provo Utah Temple was one of the church's busiest. In 2016, the Provo City Center Temple was dedicated, making Provo the second city in the world, following South Jordan, Utah, to have two active temples.[24] The two temples are 2.4 miles apart.[25]
Since its dedication in 1972, the temple has been overseen by a series of temple presidents, each serving for a term of three years. A temple president is responsible for the administration of temple operations and spiritual guidance for both temple patrons and staff.[27]
The first president of the Provo Utah Temple was Herold G. Clark, who served from 1972 to 1976. As of 2022, James W. Barry is the president.[28]
Admittance
The Provo Utah Temple is currently being reconstructed and is closed. Once completed, a public open house will be held. Once dedicated, only church members with a current temple recommend can enter for worship.
The Vernal Utah Temple is the fifty-first temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The temple is located in Vernal and was the church's tenth temple built in Utah.
The Manti Utah Temple is the fifth constructed temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Located in the city of Manti, Utah, it was the third Latter-day Saint temple built west of the Mississippi River, after the Mormon pioneers trekked west. The Manti Temple was designed by William Harrison Folsom, who moved to Manti while the temple was under construction. The temple dominates the Sanpete Valley and can be seen from many miles. Like all Latter-day Saint temples, only church members in good standing may enter. It was previously one of only two remaining Latter-day Saint temples in the world where live portrayal was used in the endowment ceremony. All other temples use a film in the presentation of the endowment, a practice that will also be used in Manti beginning in 2024 following renovation. It is an early pioneering example of four rooms representing the journey of life.
The Idaho Falls Idaho Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The intent to build the temple was announced on March 3, 1937, by church president Heber J. Grant during the church's general conference. It is the church's tenth constructed and eighth operating temple, the first built in Idaho, and the first built with a modern single-spire design.
The Ogden Utah Temple is the sixteenth constructed and fourteenth operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Located in Ogden, Utah, it was originally built with a modern, single-spire design very similar to the Provo Utah Temple. During a renovation completed in 2014, the exterior and interior were extensively changed.
The Seattle Washington Temple is the 21st constructed and 19th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Located in the city of Bellevue, east of Seattle, it was the first to be built in the state of Washington. The temple has a modern single-spire design.
The Jordan River Utah Temple is the 20th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located in South Jordan, Utah. The intent to build the temple was announced on February 3, 1978, by church president Spencer W. Kimball during a press conference in the Church Office Building. The temple is the first in the city of South Jordan, the fifth in Salt Lake County, and as of 2024 is one of twenty-eight in the state of Utah.
The Detroit Michigan Temple is the 63rd operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is located in Bloomfield Hills, a suburb of Detroit.
The San Diego California Temple is the 47th constructed and 45th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Located near the La Jolla community of San Diego, it was built with two main spires, but unique to this temple are four smaller spires at the base of each main spire. The East spire is topped with the familiar Angel Moroni statue which adorns many Latter-day Saint temples.
The Palmyra New York Temple is the 77th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Bountiful Utah Temple is the 47th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Portland Oregon Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located on 7 acres (28,000 m2) of land near the intersection of Highway 217 and I-5 in Lake Oswego, Oregon. The intent to build the temple was announced on April 7, 1984 by church president Spencer W. Kimball, during the church's general conference. Dedicated in 1989, the Portland Oregon Temple was the church's first temple in Oregon and the 42nd in the church. Prior to its dedication by Gordon B. Hinckley, over 314,000 people attended the public open house.
The Lima Peru Temple is the 38th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Draper Utah Temple is the 129th temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was dedicated in sessions from March 20–22, 2009. Prior to the dedication, the temple was open to the public from January 15, 2009 through March 14, 2009.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Utah. Utah has more church members than any other U.S. state or country. The LDS Church is also the largest denomination in Utah.
The Urdaneta Philippines Temple is temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan, Philippines. The intent to build the temple was announced on October 2, 2010, by church president Thomas S. Monson, during the church's general conference. The temple is the third in the Philippines, following those in Manila and Cebu City.
The Provo City Center Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the same site as the former Provo Tabernacle in Provo, Utah. Completed in 2016, the temple utilizes much of the external shell of the tabernacle, all that remained of the original building after a fire in December 2010.
The Layton Utah Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints under construction in Layton, Utah. The intent to construct the temple was announced by church president Russell M. Nelson on April 1, 2018, during the 188th general conference. The Layton Utah Temple was announced concurrently with 6 other temples. At the time, the number of total operating or announced temples was 189. It is the 22nd temple in Utah and the second temple in Davis County.
The Orem Utah Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located in Orem, Utah. The intent to build the temple was announced on October 5, 2019, by church president Russell M. Nelson, during the church's general conference. The temple is the first in the city of Orem, the sixth in Utah County, and the 28th in the state of Utah.
The Taylorsville Utah Temple is a temple awaiting dedication of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Taylorsville, Utah. Plans to construct the temple were announced on October 5, 2019 by church president Russell M. Nelson, during the church's general conference. The temple is the first in the city of Taylorsville, the fifth in Salt Lake County, and the twenty-third in the state of Utah.
The Red Cliffs Utah Temple, originally announced as the Washington County Utah Temple, is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in St. George, Utah. The intent to construct the temple was announced in October 2018 by church president Russell M. Nelson. It is the second temple in Washington County, with the St. George Utah Temple being the first, and the fourth in southern Utah.
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