Jordan River Utah Temple

From MormonWiki
Revision as of 15:28, 3 August 2017 by Kbrown (talk | contribs)
Jump to: navigation, search
Jordan River Utah Temple

The Jordan River Utah Temple is the 20th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The building of the temple was announced on 3 February 1978. It is one of 17 operating temples in the state of Utah. Located in South Jordan, Utah, it was built with a modern single-spire design. It is one of five temples featuring an Angel Moroni statue holding the gold plates. The other four temples which feature an Angel Moroni statue holding the gold plates are the Washington DC Temple, Los Angeles California Temple, Seattle Washington Temple, and Mexico City Mexico Temple.

The exterior of the temple is finished with cast stone and white marble chips. Although the tower appears to be of the same material, it actually contains fiberglass in a product called cemlite in order to reduce weight.

The Jordan River Temple serves members of the Church in Southern Salt Lake County, Utah. Geographically, this is the smallest Mormon temple district in the world, but the temple is one of the Church's busiest. The temple is the fourth largest Mormon temple and has a total of 148,236 square feet, six ordinance rooms, and 16 sealing rooms. The temple also has the largest capacity, with each ordinance room able to accommodate 125 people. It is located on 15 acres. The exterior of the temple is finished with cast stone with white marble chips.

Unlike many of the temples, which are built mostly with tithing funds, the Jordan River Temple site was given to the Church and all of its construction was paid for by members in the 134 stakes within the temple district.

Site Dedication, Groundbreaking Ceremony, and Public Open House

A site dedication and groundbreaking ceremony were held on 9 June 1979. Spencer W. Kimball, then President of the Church, presided over the ceremony and dedication. Usually, during the groundbreaking ceremony, a small shovel-full of dirt is turned to represent the beginning of construction, but President Kimball felt that he should follow his oft-quoted motto "lengthen your stride," and used a large power scoop shovel to begin the building process instead of the small traditional groundbreaking ceremony shovel.

The Jordan River Temple was open to the public for tours 29 September through 31 October 1981. Over half a million people toured the temple during its open house.

Jordan River Utah Temple Dedication

Marion G. Romney, a member of the First Presidency, dedicated the Jordan River Temple in fifteen sessions held 16 November through 20 November 1981. President Kimball was not able to give the dedicatory prayer, although he had prepared it because he was recovering from a recent surgery. He was in attendance at the first dedicatory session. More than 160,000 members were able to attend the dedicatory services. For a group of thirty in attendance at the dedication, it was a very spiritual and nostalgic event. These thirty elderly men and women had been at the historic dedication of the first temple in the Salt Lake Valley, the Salt Lake Temple. Most were very young but remember the event vividly.

The Jordan River Temple serves Mormon members in Southern Salt Lake County, Utah. Geographically, this is the smallest Mormon temple district in the world, but the temple is one of the Church's busiest.

The Jordan River Utah Temple is the fourth largest Mormon temple and has a total of 148,236 square feet, six ordinance rooms, and 16 sealing rooms. The temple also has the largest capacity, with each ordinance room able to accommodate 125 people. The temple is located on 15 acres. The exterior of the temple is finished with cast stone with white marble chips. Unlike many of the temples, which are built mostly with tithing funds, the Jordan River Temple site was given to the Church and all of its construction was paid for by members in the 134 stakes within the temple district.

Jordan River Utah Temple to Close for Renovations

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced the closure of the Jordan River Utah Temple in the Salt Lake Valley. The temple will be closed from 15 February 2016 through the latter part of 2017 to undergo extensive renovation. The temple was first announced in 1979 and dedicated in November 1981. Following the renovation, the temple will be rededicated. Other temples in the Salt Lake Valley - Salt Lake Temple, Draper Utah Temple and Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple - are preparing to accommodate Latter-day Saints from the Jordan River Temple District while renovations are being made.

The First Presidency Announces Open House, Cultural Celebration, and Rededication Dates

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced dates for the open house, cultural celebration and rededication of the Jordan River Utah Temple.

The public open house for the renovated temple will begin 17 March 2018 and run through 28 April 2018, except for Sundays and General Conference weekend, according to a letter dated 28 July 2017. A cultural celebration will be held 19 May 2018 and the temple will be rededicated on 20 May 2018 in three sessions. The temple will reopen for ordinance work on 22 May.

Videos of the Jordan River Utah Temple

External links

Temples in Utah

Retrieved from "https://www.mormonwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Jordan_River_Utah_Temple&oldid=44870"