Taylorsville Utah Temple

On 5 October 2019, during the 189th semiannual general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Russell M. Nelson announced that a temple will be built in Taylorsville, Utah.

Mayor Overson said at the time, "This is such good news for our city. We look forward to the serenity, peace and beauty that a temple is sure to bring to our community, as well as the contribution it’s expected to make to Taylorsville’s rich mosaic." She further said, "We have long enjoyed a good partnership with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” she said, “and we look forward to working even more closely on this project."

The Taylorsville Utah Temple is located on a 7.5-acre site at 2603 West 700 South in Taylorsville, Utah. It is be a three-story temple with a center spire covering 70,460 square feet. It was designed to reflect the pioneer heritage of the area, giving it a historic look similar to the Provo City Center Temple. The temple has four ordinance rooms (stationary) and four sealing rooms. Two-level parking provides both surface and underground parking spaces.

The Church meetinghouse sat on the site, which is bordered by 4700 South to the north and I-215 to the east. The meetinghouse served as the stake center for the Taylorsville Utah Valley Park Stake. It was demolished and was not replaced.

The temple is easily accessible from I-215, and prominent in the city and the valley. The Taylors Landing and Westwood Shopping Centers are located across the street. The temple site also is located on the Midvalley Connector Bus Rapid Transit line that is along 4700 South.

The Taylorsville Utah Temple is the 192nd dedicated house of the Lord of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and one of what will be 30 temples in Utah. It is located about 8 miles from the Jordan River Utah Temple and 10 miles from the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple, both in South Jordan, Utah, and about 13 miles from the Salt Lake Temple.

Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for the Taylorsville Utah Temple

Ground was broken on Saturday, 31 October 2020, for a new temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be constructed in Taylorsville, Utah. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presided at the event.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the groundbreaking ceremony was private. About 25 people attended the event by invitation, wearing masks and sitting in upholstered folding chairs spread far apart in an open field under a cloudless but hazy blue sky on a cool morning. Guests included local leaders representing the communities in the temple district along Utah’s Jordan River corridor, including Kearns, West Valley City, Taylorsville, Bennion, Murray, and Cottonwood. Neighbors from the homes on the temple’s southern border peered over a cinderblock wall to watch and listen to the ceremony.

In his site dedication prayer, Elder Gong mentioned the settlement of the west side of the Salt Lake Valley, when Joseph and Susanna Harker, of England, crossed the Jordan River in 1848 to establish a fort and a home right in the valley’s center. The Harkers’ great-great-great grandson, Max Harker, 17, spoke at the groundbreaking and related how they gave up their home, their country and lost two children traveling to Utah. He encouraged those in attendance and those who will watch video of the ceremony to engage in family history and temple work. He said, "I am thrilled for a temple to be built here in Taylorsville. I'm excited to continue the legacy of Joseph Harker."

During the dedicatory prayer, he said, "Gathered in these times, in person and via technology, we acknowledge and rejoice with faithful generations, including in historic 'over Jordan' communities, who have, here at heart, made this valley home. We celebrate the continuing legacy and promise of their righteous lives and examples." He continued, "Grateful roots and wings, we come as one from across our generations, communities, heritages and languages — one in heart and mind, one in the restored gospel of Thy Son Jesus Christ, one in the household of faith and fellowship of the saints."

In his site dedication, Elder Gong also prayed that the temple would radiate as a blessing to the community, which was named for John Taylor, the third president and prophet of the Church.

Elder Craig C. Christensen, Utah Area President, conducted the groundbreaking service. He commented, "This temple will be not just a blessing to the members of the church, but everyone in this community will take some sense of ownership and pride. We’re just watching the temples start to dot this land. It’s a reflection of the strength of the saints in Utah."

The Taylorsville Temple is the fifth in the Salt Lake Valley, sitting about halfway between the Salt Lake Temple and Jordan River Utah Temple. The Taylorsville temple marked the 10th of 21 groundbreakings in 2020. The previous nine were for the Alabang Philippines, Richmond Virginia, Layton Utah, Auckland New Zealand, Feather River California, Orem Utah, San Pedro Sula Honduras, Brasília Brazil, and Moses Lake Washington temples.

Open House and Dedication

The house of the Lord in Taylorsville was open to the public on Saturday, April 13, 2024. The open house continued through Saturday, May 18, 2024 (excluding Sundays).

Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Susan Gong, walk around the Taylorsville Utah Temple on Saturday, June 1, 2024.

Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the temple on Sunday, June 2, 2024, in two sessions (10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. MDT). The dedicatory sessions were broadcast to all units in the Taylorsville Utah Temple district.

Elder Gong was accompanied at the dedication by his wife, Susan, a Taylorsville native; Elder Hugo E. Martinez, a General Authority Seventy and First Counselor in the Utah Area Presidency, and his wife, Nuria; and Elder Erich W. Kopischke, a General Authority Seventy and assistant executive director of the Temple Department, and his wife, Christiane.

Elder Gong first came to Taylorsville 45 years ago to meet his fiancée's family, including Susan’s parents, the late Elder Richard P. and Sister Marian Bangerter Lindsay. The Lindsay family are one of many multi-generation families living in the area served by the Taylorsville temple home.

“Many have deep roots, many are new, all are pioneers,” Elder Gong said. “These are faithful, honored stakes and communities which have grown up, including in Bennion, Kearns, Magna, Midvale, Murray, Granger, Hunter and Taylorsville. This heart of the valley represents being ‘one in the household of faith and fellowship of the Saints.’”[1]

With temples coming closer to many members in many places, including now in Taylorsville, Elder Gong said he hopes people will find their circumstances include “a desire to come more frequently to the Lord in the house of the Lord.”

There are many blessings when people come to the Lord through His ordinances and covenants in His holy house. “We come and understand more about who He is. We draw closer to God our Father and His Son Jesus Christ, and we and our loved ones can receive Their mercy, protection, strength and power.”

Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are inscribed with “holiness to the Lord” and “house of the Lord.”

“Temples help prepare us to enter the presence of the Lord,” Elder Gong said. He added: “This invitation and opportunity is for all of us. Youth can attend regularly, with the opportunity to grow up with the house of the Lord.” With changes in the youth programs and age progression in the past few years, youth can receive a temple recommend in January of the year they turn 12.[2]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has 350 temples announced, under construction, under renovation, or in operation throughout the world.

Picture Gallery of Taylorsville Utah Temple

Taylorsville Utah Temple
Taylorsville Utah Temple
Taylorsville Utah Temple
Taylorsville Utah Temple
Reception area of the Taylorsville Utah Temple
Main staircase of the Taylorsville Utah Temple
Waiting area for patrons in the temple
Waiting area for patrons in the temple
Baptistry of the Taylorsville Utah Temple
The baptistry of the Taylorsville Utah Temple rests on the backs of 12 oxen
Bride's room of the Taylorsville Utah Temple
An instruction room in the Taylorsville Utah Temple
An instruction room in the Taylorsville Utah Temple
A sealing room in the Taylorsville Utah Temple
The celestial room of the Taylorsville Utah Temple
One of the crystal chandeliers in the celestial room of the Taylorsville Utah Temple
Taylorsville Utah Temple
Taylorsville Utah Temple at dusk
Taylorsville Utah Temple at dedication