Smithfield Utah Temple
The Smithfield Utah temple was one of 20 temples announced by President Russell M. Nelson at the end of the 191st annual general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 4 April 2021.
The temple, which will be built on a 13.3-acre site at the intersection of N 800 West and W 100 North, will be the second Church temple constructed in Cache Valley and the 26th in Utah. It is projected to have 81,000 square feet and stand three stories tall. It is the most recent of the Beehive State's 28 temples, including those announced, under construction, under renovation, and the 17 temples that are currently in operation.
In addition to the temple in Smithfield, temples have been announced or are under construction in Ephraim, Heber Valley, Layton, Lindon, Orem, St. George (Red Cliffs), Saratoga Springs, Syracuse, Taylorsville, and Tooele (Deseret Peak).
An exterior rendering of the Smithfield Utah Temple was released on Wednesday, 24 November 2021, by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
According to 2019 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, Smithfield's population is 12,025 people. It is the second largest city in Cache County. As the Church's world headquarters, Utah has 2.1 million Church members, which is roughly two-thirds of the state's population of 3.3 million residents.
The Logan Utah Temple was the second pioneer-era temple to be dedicated (1884) in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Russell M. Nelson announced in April 2019 that the church would renovate all of its pioneer-era temples. The church is already renovating such pioneer-era temples in Salt Lake, St. George, and Manti.
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Groundbreaking Date for Smithfield Utah Temple Announced
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced the groundbreaking date for the Smithfield Utah Temple.
According to the event information provided by Newsroom, the groundbreaking ceremony will be by invitation only.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Smithfield Utah Temple will be Saturday, 18 June 2022. Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will preside. He will be joined by a fellow Apostle, Elder Gary E. Stevenson.
Groundbreaking Ceremony is Held for the Smithfield Utah Temple
On Saturday, 18 June 2022, Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the site of the Smithfield Utah temple — which he prayed would be "a beacon light for the communities it serves.'
Elder Cook was joined by his wife, Sister Mary Cook, and Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Lesa Stevenson. Elder Cook and Elder Stevenson, along with their wives, all grew up in Cache Valley and are graduates of Utah State University.
Before breaking ground for the Smithfield Utah Temple, Elder and Elder Stevenson reflected on Northern Utah's pioneer heritage, their roots in the area, and the strength of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cache Valley.
Elder Cook, said, "I love this beautiful valley. I have seen much of the world, but this peaceful valley surrounded by these majestic mountains always feels like home to me. It is among the most beautiful places on earth."
Elder Stevenson shared the reaction of Mary Ann Maughan — sent by Brigham Young to the Valley in 1855. "Oh! What a beautiful valley," she explained when she first glimpsed the area. He added, "We, of course, relate to the scene which caused exclamation from her. In fact, we see it over and over, and never tire of it, as we round the last curve of the highway coming out of Sardine Canyon welcomed by this familiar vista."
Temples in Utah
- Bountiful Utah Temple
- Brigham City Utah Temple
- Cedar City Utah Temple
- Deseret Peak Utah Temple
- Draper Utah Temple
- Ephraim Utah Temple
- Heber Valley Utah Temple
- Jordan River Utah Temple
- Layton Utah Temple
- Lehi Utah Temple
- Lindon Utah Temple
- Logan Utah Temple
- Manti Utah Temple
- Monticello Utah Temple
- Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple
- Ogden Utah Temple
- Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple
- Orem Utah Temple
- Payson Utah Temple
- Price Utah Temple
- Provo City Center Temple
- Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple
- Red Cliffs Utah Temple
- Salt Lake Temple
- Saratoga Springs Utah Temple
- Smithfield Utah Temple
- St. George Utah Temple
- Syracuse Utah Temple
- Taylorsville Utah Temple
- Vernal Utah Temple
- West Jordan Utah Temple