Difference between revisions of "Red Cliffs Utah Temple"

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[[Image:Washington-County-Utah-Temple-Rendering.jpg|500px|thumb|<div align="left"><span style="color:#0000FF">Red Cliffs Utah Temple Rendering. ©2020 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.</span></div>]]
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[[Image:Red-Cliffs-Utah-Temple.png|450px|thumb|<div align="left"><span style="color:#0D8ED3">Red Cliffs Utah Temple. ©2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.</span></div>]]
  
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On 7 October 2018, during the 188th semiannual [[General Conference]] of [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]. President [[Russell M. Nelson]] that a second temple would be constructed in Washington County, Utah. The other temple in Washington County, dedicated in 1877, is the [[St. George Utah Temple]] — the oldest operating temple of the Church.  
+
On 7 October 2018, during the 188th Semiannual [[General Conference]] of [http://comeuntochrist.org The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]. President [[Russell M. Nelson]] that a second temple would be constructed in Washington County, Utah. The other temple in Washington County, dedicated in 1877, is the [[St. George Utah Temple]] — the oldest operating temple of the Church.  
  
−
In his announcement remarks, President Nelson also noted that the Pioneer-era temples of the Church would begin to be renovated in the near future. He specifically named the [[Salt Lake Temple]]. Renovations were begun on the Salt Lake Temple in December 2019. On 22 May 2019, it was announced that the St. George Utah Temple would be renovated. The St. George Utah Temple closed in November 2019 for extensive renovation and is expected to reopen sometime in 2022. One other temple, the [[Cedar City Utah Temple]], which was dedicated at the end of 2017, also operates in Southwestern Utah.  
+
In his announcement remarks, President Nelson also noted that the [[Pioneer Temples|pioneer-era temples]] of the Church would begin to be renovated in the near future. He specifically named the [[Salt Lake Temple]]. Renovations were begun on the Salt Lake Temple in December 2019. On 22 May 2019, it was announced that the St. George Utah Temple would be renovated. The St. George Utah Temple closed in November 2019 for extensive renovation and reopened in 2023. The [[Manti Utah Temple|Manti Temple]] closed for a major renovation in October 2021 and reopened in April 2024.  
  
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On 19 June 2020, the First Presidency approved that the name of the Washington County Utah Temple be changed to the Red Cliffs Utah Temple.The Red Cliffs Utah Temple will be a three-story building of approximately 88,000 square feet. The location of the temple was announced on 6 November 2019. The temple will be constructed on a 14-acre site located northeast of the intersection of 3000 East and 1580 South in the Washington Fields area of St. George, Utah. The St. George Utah Temple is located west of I-15, and the Washington County Utah Temple will be east of the interstate.
+
One other temple, the [[Cedar City Utah Temple]], which was dedicated at the end of 2017, also operates in Southwestern Utah.  
  
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On 7 April 2020, an official exterior rendering of the Washington County Utah Temple was released. Additional exterior and interior renderings will be made public later.
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On 19 June 2020, the [[First Presidency]] approved that the name of the Washington County Utah Temple be changed to the '''Red Cliffs Utah Temple'''. The Red Cliffs Utah Temple is a three-story building of 96,000 square feet. The location of the temple was announced on 6 November 2019. The temple is constructed on a 14-acre site located northeast of the intersection of 3000 East and 1580 South in the Washington Fields area of St. George, Utah. The St. George Utah Temple is located west of I-15, and the Red Cliffs Utah Temple will be east of the interstate.
  
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The Red Cliffs Utah Temple will be the twentieth temple built in Utah. The temple was announced in the 141st anniversary year of the St. George Utah Temple. The Red Cliffs Utah Temple and the St. George Utah Temple are the third pair of temples in Utah to be built in the same city, following the [[Jordan River Utah Temple]] (1981) and [[Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple]] (2009) in South Jordan, Utah; and the [[Provo Utah Temple]] (1972) and [[Provo City Center Temple]] (2016) in Provo, Utah.
+
:President [[Jeffrey R. Holland]] recounted how he and his wife, Sister [[Patricia Terry Holland|Patricia Holland]], were driving in the proposed area of the new temple, knowing the need for a name since St. George has had its namesake temple for nearly a century and a half. He recalled his wife looking north toward Pine Valley and mentioned Red Cliffs as a possibility because of the dominating geological feature.[https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2024/03/24/president-eyring-dedicates-the-red-cliffs-utah-temple-a-tribute-to-faith-of-the-past-and-confidence-in-the-future/]
  
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Utah currently has 17 operating temples. In addition to Washington County, temples have also been announced in [[Layton Utah Temple|Layton]], [[Orem Utah Temple|Orem]], [[Saratoga Springs Utah Temple|Saratoga Springs]], Taylorsville, and [[Tooele Valley Utah Temple|Tooele Valley]]. Temples in southern Utah include [[Monticello Utah Temple|Monticello]], [[Cedar City Utah Temple|Cedar City]] and [[St. George Utah Temple|St. George]].
+
:They later suggested Red Cliffs as a name option to the First Presidency, the Apostle said, adding that the name represents not only the immediate area but also honors much of the entire temple district that encompasses the Virgin River region.[https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2024/03/24/president-eyring-dedicates-the-red-cliffs-utah-temple-a-tribute-to-faith-of-the-past-and-confidence-in-the-future/]
 +
 
 +
The Red Cliffs Utah Temple is the 189th dedicated house of the Lord in the Church and the twentieth temple built in Utah, 17 of which are operating at the time of the dedication. The temple was announced in the 141st anniversary year of the St. George Utah Temple. The Red Cliffs Utah Temple and the St. George Utah Temple are the third pair of temples in Utah to be built in the same city, following the [[Jordan River Utah Temple]] (1981) and [[Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple]] (2009) in South Jordan, Utah; and the [[Provo Utah Temple]] (1972) and [[Provo City Center Temple]] (2016) in Provo, Utah (the Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple is under reconstruction). The [[Smithfield Utah Temple]] is under construction in Cache Valley near the historic [[Logan Utah Temple]].
  
 
When the Red Cliffs Utah Temple was announced, President Daniel K. Frei, Santa Clara Utah Stake president, [https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2020-04-07/renderings-released-for-tooele-valley-washington-county-utah-temples-and-moses-lake-washington-temple-180691 said], "Many people are moving here. We do have a temple, but only so much work can be done, and a lot of temple work is being done. We are already at capacity." He added: "This will provide an opportunity for more Church members to serve in the temple. It is also an indication of the Lord’s confidence in the people who live in the area. We will need to staff the new temple and do the work — it creates more opportunity for us to serve."
 
When the Red Cliffs Utah Temple was announced, President Daniel K. Frei, Santa Clara Utah Stake president, [https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2020-04-07/renderings-released-for-tooele-valley-washington-county-utah-temples-and-moses-lake-washington-temple-180691 said], "Many people are moving here. We do have a temple, but only so much work can be done, and a lot of temple work is being done. We are already at capacity." He added: "This will provide an opportunity for more Church members to serve in the temple. It is also an indication of the Lord’s confidence in the people who live in the area. We will need to staff the new temple and do the work — it creates more opportunity for us to serve."
  
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There are more than 2.1 million Latter-day Saints in Utah, an amount just under two-thirds of the state’s population of over 3.2 million residents. Utah has 24 temples announced, under construction, under renovation or in operation.
+
There are more than 2.1 million Latter-day Saints in Utah, an amount just under two-thirds of the state’s population of over 3.2 million residents. Utah has 30 temples announced, under construction, under renovation, or in operation.
  
 
__FORCETOC__
 
__FORCETOC__
  
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==Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Red Cliffs Utah Temple==
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==Groundbreaking Ceremony Is Held for the Red Cliffs Utah Temple==
 +
 
 +
[[Image:Red-Cliffs-Utah-Temple-Groundbreaking-2020.jpg|500px|thumb|left|<span style="color:#0D8ED3">Red Cliffs Utah Temple Groundbreaking Ceremony. ©2020 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.</span>]]
 +
 
 +
On Saturday, 7 November 2020, a handful of leaders of [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] and invited guests held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Red Cliffs Utah Temple. Because of the local COVID-19 restrictions, attendance at the event was limited. 
 +
 
 +
Elder [[Jeffrey R. Holland]], a member of the [[Quorum of the Twelve Apostles]] and native of St. George, Utah, presided at the temple groundbreaking and offered the dedicatory prayer. He was joined by his wife, Sister Patricia Holland, his son, Elder [[Matthew S. Holland]], [[General Authority]] [[Seventy]], Elder [[Craig C. Christensen]], Utah Area President, and other local guests.
 +
 
 +
During his remarks, [https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/groundbreaking-held-for-red-cliffs-utah-temple Elder Holland said], "It is a privilege and delight to be with you today. Surely you can imagine some of the emotions Pat and I feel as we get older and more nostalgic, with fewer and fewer trips to this land of our childhood."
 +
 
 +
In the dedicatory prayer, he said, "We salute those pioneers who, with sacrifice and sweat, built just a mile or so away the beautiful [[St. George Utah Temple|St. George temple]] that has provided a symbolic anchor of our faith in this part of the state for a century and a half." He prayed, "May the breaking of this soil and the development of this site not only be evidence of the dedication of a parcel of land, but may it also mark a re-dedication of our personal lives. . . . Sadly, the limitations and dangers of the COVID-19 pandemic are still with us. We pray that this plague will soon be lifted and that the many who are restricted from witnessing this groundbreaking will soon be able to witness the dedication of a beautifully completed House of the Lord." 
 +
 
 +
Elder Holland further commented, "When the St. George Temple was being built some 150 years ago, my great, great grandfather William Carter was called to strengthen the soil conditions in that soggy, boggy location President [[Brigham Young]] had designated. He continued, "Fast forward to 2020 and note that for the foundation of this temple, my cousin, Tyson Feller, 3rd great grandson of William Carter, oversaw the hauling of over 100,000 yards of earth to strengthen this foundation. What goes around comes around."
  
−
The [[First Presidency]] of [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] has announced that Elder [[Jeffrey R. Holland]], a member of the [[Quorum of the Twelve Apostles]] and native of St. George, Utah, will preside at the November 2020 groundbreaking for the Red Cliffs Utah Temple, located in St. George northeast of the intersection of 3000 East and 1580 South.  
+
Utah Area President Craig C. Christensen commented, "President [[Russell M. Nelson]] has promised that the Lord will bring the miracles he knows we need as we serve in his holy temples earlier this year at a time when all the temples in Utah were closed. He stated that every minute we spend in temples will bless us and our families in ways nothing else can. He knows that we can have these experiences, even though the temples at the current time are limited in their service."
  
−
Attendance at the groundbreaking ceremony will be by invitation only in keeping with local government safety guidelines. Photos and video of the event will be made available following the services, according to a [https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-announces-groundbreakings-for-two-utah-temples church statement].
+
==Open House==
  
−
==Groundbreaking Ceremony is Held for the Red Cliffs Utah Temple==
+
A public open house was held Thursday, February 1, 2024, through Saturday, March 2, excluding Sundays. Before the public open house, a media day was held on Monday, January 29. Invited guests also toured the temple from Tuesday, January 30, through Wednesday, January 31. During the five-week open house, the temple received a little more than 200,000 visitors.
  
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[[Image:Red-Cliffs-Utah-Temple-Groundbreaking-2020.jpg|500px|thumb|<div align="left"><span style="color:#0000FF">Red Cliffs Utah Temple Groundbreaking Ceremony. ©2020 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.</span></div>|none]]
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The temple is 96,277 square feet and the measured height to the top of the single spire is 217 feet, and 230 feet to the top of [[angel Moroni]]. There are four instruction rooms, six sealing rooms, and one baptistry.
  
−
On Saturday, 7 November 2020, a handful of leaders of [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] and invited guests held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Red Cliffs Utah Temple. Because of the local COVID-19 restrictions, attendence at the event was limited. 
+
==Dedication==
 +
President [[Henry B. Eyring]], [[Second Counselor]] in the [[First Presidency]], dedicated the temple in two sessions on Sunday, March 24, 2024. The dedicatory sessions at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. MDT were broadcast to all units in the Red Cliffs Utah Temple district.
  
−
Elder [[Jeffrey R. Holland]], a member of the [[Quorum of the Twelve Apostles]] and native of St. George, Utah, presided at the temple groundbreaking and offered the dedicatory prayer. He was joined by his wife, Sister Patricia Holland, his son, Elder Matthew Holland, [[General Authority]] [[Seventy]], Elder [[Craig C. Christensen]], Utah Area President, and other local guests.  
+
Also participating in Sunday’s dedication were Elder [[Patrick Kearon]] of the [[Quorum of the Twelve Apostles]], his wife, Sister Jennifer Kearon; Elder [[Kevin W. Pearson]], a General Authority [[Seventy]] and Utah Area president, and his wife, Sister June L. Pearson; and Elder [[Jonathan S. Schmitt]], a General Authority Seventy and assistant executive director of the Temple Department, and his wife, Sister Alexis Schmitt.
  
−
During his remarks, [https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/groundbreaking-held-for-red-cliffs-utah-temple Elder Holland said], "It is a privilege and delight to be with you today. Surely you can imagine some of the emotions Pat and I feel as we get older and more nostalgic, with fewer and fewer trips to this land of our childhood."
+
For a five-week period, St. George was home to both the Church’s oldest operating temple — the St. George Utah Temple — and the newest — the Red Cliffs Utah Temple — until the dedication of the [[Urdaneta Philippines Temple]] by President [[Dallin H. Oaks]], First Counselor in the First Presidency, on April 28, 2024.
  
−
In the dedicatory prayer, he said, "We salute those pioneers who, with sacrifice and sweat, built just a mile or so away the beautiful [[St. George Utah Temple|St. George temple]] that has provided a symbolic anchor of our faith in this part of the state for a century and a half." He prayed, "May the breaking of this soil and the development of this site not only be evidence of the dedication of a parcel of land, but may it also mark a re-dedication of our personal lives. . . .Sadly, the limitations and dangers of the COVID-19 pandemic are still with us. We pray that this plague will soon be lifted and that the many who are restricted from witnessing this groundbreaking will soon be able to witness the dedication of a beautifully completed House of the Lord." 
+
The temple’s interior and exterior motifs were pulled from the environment that surrounds the St. George area. The motifs designed in the precast concrete exterior were inspired by Southern Utah’s grand cottonwood trees and its numerous mountains and canyons.
  
−
Elder Holland further commented, "When the St. George Temple was being built some 150 years ago, my great, great grandfather William Carter was called to strengthen the soil conditions in that soggy, boggy location President [[Brigham Young]] had designated. He continued, "Fast forward to 2020 and note that for the foundation of this temple, my cousin, Tyson Feller, 3rd great grandson of William Carter, oversaw the hauling of over 100,000 yards of earth to strengthen this foundation. What goes around comes around."
+
The main motif inside the house of the Lord is the dwarf bearclaw poppy. The other motifs in the temple include succulents, Indian paintbrush, cottonwood leaves and pomegranates. The succulent motif is also used throughout all window designs in the temple.
  
−
Utah Area President, Craig C. Christensen commented, "President [[Russell M. Nelson]] has promised that the Lord will bring the miracles he knows we need as we serve in his holy temples earlier this year at a time when all the temples in Utah were closed. He stated that every minute we spend in temples will bless us and our families in ways nothing else can. He knows that we can have these experiences, even though the temples at the current time are limited in their service."
+
==Picture Gallery of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple==
  
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Details for the open house and temple dedication, upon its completion, will be announced at a future date.  
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<gallery class="center" mode=packed-hover>
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File:Red Cliffs Utah 7.jpg|Red Cliffs Utah Temple
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File:Red Cliffs Utah 16.jpg|Reflecting pool in front of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple
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File:Red Cliffs Utah 13.jpg|Reflecting pool in front of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple
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File:Red Cliffs Utah 1.jpg|Reception area of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple
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File:Red Cliffs Utah 12.jpg|Grand staircase of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple
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File:Red Cliffs Utah 17.jpg|Waiting area for patrons in the Red Cliffs Utah Temple
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File:Red Cliffs Utah 6.jpg|The baptistry of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple
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File:Red Cliffs Utah 14.jpg|The baptistry of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple rests on the backs of 12 oxen
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File:Red Cliffs Utah 5.jpg|Architectural detail of the seating in the Red Cliffs Utah Temple
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File:Red Cliffs Utah 11.jpg|Bride's room of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple
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File:Red Cliffs Utah 10.jpg|An instruction room in the Red Cliffs Utah Temple
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File:Red Cliffs Utah 15.jpg|A sealing room in the Red Cliffs Utah Temple
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File:Red Cliffs Utah 9.jpg|A chandelier in a sealing room in the Red Cliffs Utah Temple
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File:Red Cliffs Utah 3.jpg|The celestial room of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple
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File:Red Cliffs Utah 4.jpg|The celestial room of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple
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File:Red Cliffs Utah 2.jpg|The crystal chandelier in the celestial room of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple
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File:Red Cliffs Utah 8.jpg|Red Cliffs Utah Temple
 +
</gallery>
 +
Images ©2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
  
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A video of the groundbreaking will be available on Newsroom in the coming days.  
+
==External Links==
 +
* [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/details/red-cliffs-utah-temple?lang=eng Official Red Cliffs Utah Temple page]
 +
* [https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/red-cliffs-utah-temple/ Red Cliffs Utah Temple page]
 +
* [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/details/red-cliffs-utah-temple/prayer/2024-03-24?lang=eng Red Cliffs Utah Temple dedicatory prayer]
 +
* [https://www.thechurchnews.com/almanac/temples/ Temples—The Church News Almanac]
 +
* [https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2024/03/24/president-eyring-dedicates-the-red-cliffs-utah-temple-a-tribute-to-faith-of-the-past-and-confidence-in-the-future/ Church News, "President Eyring dedicates the Red Cliffs Utah Temple, a tribute to faith of the past and confidence in the future"]
 +
* [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/manual/families-and-temples/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-temple?lang=eng What is the Purpose of the Temple]
 +
* [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/article/temples What Are Temples?]
 +
* [https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2022/11/27/23466258/inside-church-headquarters-presiding-bishopric-location-design-construction-of-temples Church News, “Inside Church Headquarters: The location, design and construction of Latter-day Saint temples]
 +
* [https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/a-prophets-temple-invitation-president-russell-m-nelson?lang=eng FamilySearch RootsTech, Temple Invitation by Russell M. Nelson]
  
 
==Videos about the Red Cliffs Utah Temple==
 
==Videos about the Red Cliffs Utah Temple==
  
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<embedvideo service="youtube" urlargs="rel=0" dimensions="400x225" alignment="inline">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK_7vQ_T0DQ&rel=0</embedvideo>
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<embedvideo service="youtube" urlargs="rel=0" dimensions="400x225" alignment="inline">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhAL0c22NVg&rel=0</embedvideo>
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<embedvideo service="youtube" urlargs="rel=0" dimensions="400x225" alignment="inline">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTaDk90kAvQ&rel=0</embedvideo>
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<embedvideo service="youtube" urlargs="rel=0" dimensions="400x225" alignment="inline">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzbw0w0EZCI&rel=0</embedvideo>
  
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{{TemplesUtah}}
  
 
[[Category:Temples]]
 
[[Category:Temples]]

Latest revision as of 13:44, 26 April 2024

Red Cliffs Utah Temple. ©2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

On 7 October 2018, during the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Russell M. Nelson that a second temple would be constructed in Washington County, Utah. The other temple in Washington County, dedicated in 1877, is the St. George Utah Temple — the oldest operating temple of the Church.

In his announcement remarks, President Nelson also noted that the pioneer-era temples of the Church would begin to be renovated in the near future. He specifically named the Salt Lake Temple. Renovations were begun on the Salt Lake Temple in December 2019. On 22 May 2019, it was announced that the St. George Utah Temple would be renovated. The St. George Utah Temple closed in November 2019 for extensive renovation and reopened in 2023. The Manti Temple closed for a major renovation in October 2021 and reopened in April 2024.

One other temple, the Cedar City Utah Temple, which was dedicated at the end of 2017, also operates in Southwestern Utah.

On 19 June 2020, the First Presidency approved that the name of the Washington County Utah Temple be changed to the Red Cliffs Utah Temple. The Red Cliffs Utah Temple is a three-story building of 96,000 square feet. The location of the temple was announced on 6 November 2019. The temple is constructed on a 14-acre site located northeast of the intersection of 3000 East and 1580 South in the Washington Fields area of St. George, Utah. The St. George Utah Temple is located west of I-15, and the Red Cliffs Utah Temple will be east of the interstate.

President Jeffrey R. Holland recounted how he and his wife, Sister Patricia Holland, were driving in the proposed area of the new temple, knowing the need for a name since St. George has had its namesake temple for nearly a century and a half. He recalled his wife looking north toward Pine Valley and mentioned Red Cliffs as a possibility because of the dominating geological feature.[1]
They later suggested Red Cliffs as a name option to the First Presidency, the Apostle said, adding that the name represents not only the immediate area but also honors much of the entire temple district that encompasses the Virgin River region.[2]

The Red Cliffs Utah Temple is the 189th dedicated house of the Lord in the Church and the twentieth temple built in Utah, 17 of which are operating at the time of the dedication. The temple was announced in the 141st anniversary year of the St. George Utah Temple. The Red Cliffs Utah Temple and the St. George Utah Temple are the third pair of temples in Utah to be built in the same city, following the Jordan River Utah Temple (1981) and Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple (2009) in South Jordan, Utah; and the Provo Utah Temple (1972) and Provo City Center Temple (2016) in Provo, Utah (the Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple is under reconstruction). The Smithfield Utah Temple is under construction in Cache Valley near the historic Logan Utah Temple.

When the Red Cliffs Utah Temple was announced, President Daniel K. Frei, Santa Clara Utah Stake president, said, "Many people are moving here. We do have a temple, but only so much work can be done, and a lot of temple work is being done. We are already at capacity." He added: "This will provide an opportunity for more Church members to serve in the temple. It is also an indication of the Lord’s confidence in the people who live in the area. We will need to staff the new temple and do the work — it creates more opportunity for us to serve."

There are more than 2.1 million Latter-day Saints in Utah, an amount just under two-thirds of the state’s population of over 3.2 million residents. Utah has 30 temples announced, under construction, under renovation, or in operation.


Groundbreaking Ceremony Is Held for the Red Cliffs Utah Temple

Red Cliffs Utah Temple Groundbreaking Ceremony. ©2020 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

On Saturday, 7 November 2020, a handful of leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and invited guests held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Red Cliffs Utah Temple. Because of the local COVID-19 restrictions, attendance at the event was limited.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and native of St. George, Utah, presided at the temple groundbreaking and offered the dedicatory prayer. He was joined by his wife, Sister Patricia Holland, his son, Elder Matthew S. Holland, General Authority Seventy, Elder Craig C. Christensen, Utah Area President, and other local guests.

During his remarks, Elder Holland said, "It is a privilege and delight to be with you today. Surely you can imagine some of the emotions Pat and I feel as we get older and more nostalgic, with fewer and fewer trips to this land of our childhood."

In the dedicatory prayer, he said, "We salute those pioneers who, with sacrifice and sweat, built just a mile or so away the beautiful St. George temple that has provided a symbolic anchor of our faith in this part of the state for a century and a half." He prayed, "May the breaking of this soil and the development of this site not only be evidence of the dedication of a parcel of land, but may it also mark a re-dedication of our personal lives. . . . Sadly, the limitations and dangers of the COVID-19 pandemic are still with us. We pray that this plague will soon be lifted and that the many who are restricted from witnessing this groundbreaking will soon be able to witness the dedication of a beautifully completed House of the Lord."

Elder Holland further commented, "When the St. George Temple was being built some 150 years ago, my great, great grandfather William Carter was called to strengthen the soil conditions in that soggy, boggy location President Brigham Young had designated. He continued, "Fast forward to 2020 and note that for the foundation of this temple, my cousin, Tyson Feller, 3rd great grandson of William Carter, oversaw the hauling of over 100,000 yards of earth to strengthen this foundation. What goes around comes around."

Utah Area President Craig C. Christensen commented, "President Russell M. Nelson has promised that the Lord will bring the miracles he knows we need as we serve in his holy temples earlier this year at a time when all the temples in Utah were closed. He stated that every minute we spend in temples will bless us and our families in ways nothing else can. He knows that we can have these experiences, even though the temples at the current time are limited in their service."

Open House

A public open house was held Thursday, February 1, 2024, through Saturday, March 2, excluding Sundays. Before the public open house, a media day was held on Monday, January 29. Invited guests also toured the temple from Tuesday, January 30, through Wednesday, January 31. During the five-week open house, the temple received a little more than 200,000 visitors.

The temple is 96,277 square feet and the measured height to the top of the single spire is 217 feet, and 230 feet to the top of angel Moroni. There are four instruction rooms, six sealing rooms, and one baptistry.

Dedication

President Henry B. Eyring, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, dedicated the temple in two sessions on Sunday, March 24, 2024. The dedicatory sessions at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. MDT were broadcast to all units in the Red Cliffs Utah Temple district.

Also participating in Sunday’s dedication were Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, his wife, Sister Jennifer Kearon; Elder Kevin W. Pearson, a General Authority Seventy and Utah Area president, and his wife, Sister June L. Pearson; and Elder Jonathan S. Schmitt, a General Authority Seventy and assistant executive director of the Temple Department, and his wife, Sister Alexis Schmitt.

For a five-week period, St. George was home to both the Church’s oldest operating temple — the St. George Utah Temple — and the newest — the Red Cliffs Utah Temple — until the dedication of the Urdaneta Philippines Temple by President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, on April 28, 2024.

The temple’s interior and exterior motifs were pulled from the environment that surrounds the St. George area. The motifs designed in the precast concrete exterior were inspired by Southern Utah’s grand cottonwood trees and its numerous mountains and canyons.

The main motif inside the house of the Lord is the dwarf bearclaw poppy. The other motifs in the temple include succulents, Indian paintbrush, cottonwood leaves and pomegranates. The succulent motif is also used throughout all window designs in the temple.

Picture Gallery of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple

  • Red Cliffs Utah Temple

  • Reflecting pool in front of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple

  • Reflecting pool in front of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple

  • Reception area of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple

  • Grand staircase of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple

  • Waiting area for patrons in the Red Cliffs Utah Temple

  • The baptistry of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple

  • The baptistry of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple rests on the backs of 12 oxen

  • Architectural detail of the seating in the Red Cliffs Utah Temple

  • Bride's room of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple

  • An instruction room in the Red Cliffs Utah Temple

  • A sealing room in the Red Cliffs Utah Temple

  • A chandelier in a sealing room in the Red Cliffs Utah Temple

  • The celestial room of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple

  • The celestial room of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple

  • The crystal chandelier in the celestial room of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple

  • Red Cliffs Utah Temple

Images ©2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

External Links

Videos about the Red Cliffs Utah Temple

Temples in Utah

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