Deseret Peak Utah Temple

Deseret Peak Utah Temple
Number	200
Dedication	10 November 2024, by Russell M. Nelson
Site	15.5 acres (6.3 ha)
Floor area	71,998 sq ft (6,688.8 m^2)
Official website • News & images
Additional information
Announced	7 April 2019, by Russell M. Nelson
Groundbreaking	15 May 2021[1], by Brook P. Hales
Open house	26 September-19 October 2024
Location	Tooele, Utah, United States
Geographic coordinates	40.5726°N 112.3140°W / 40.5726; -112.3140
Exterior finish	Cast stone
Baptistries	1
Ordinance rooms	4
Sealing rooms	4
Notes	Announced by Russell M. Nelson on April 7, 2019,[2] with name and location change announced January 19, 2021.[3]
(edit)

The Deseret Peak Utah Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tooele, Utah. Plans to construct a temple in the Tooele Valley were announced on April 7, 2019 by church president Russell M. Nelson, during general conference.^[4] The temple is the first in Tooele County and the 23rd in the state of Utah.

A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify the beginning of construction, was held on May 15, 2021, conducted by Brook P. Hales, a church general authority.^[5] The temple was dedicated by Nelson on November 10, 2024.^[6]

History

The intent to build the temple was announced by Russell M. Nelson on April 7, 2019.^[7] A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify beginning of construction, was held on May 15, 2021, with Brook P. Hales presiding, and was attended by local church members and community leaders.^[8]

The temple is located on the corner of 2400 North and 400 West in Tooele.^[9] The temple was originally announced as the "Tooele Valley Utah Temple" and was to be located in Erda, at the intersection of Erda Way and State Route 36.^[10] It was changed after community pressure to not include some of the other intended residential development, and local residents threatened a referendum to alter the area's zoning.^[11] The relocated temple plans followed the original design, with three stories and 71,998 square feet.^[6]

According to those involved in its construction, despite initial conflict over its location, the community came together in excitement for the new temple.^[12]

A public open house was held from September 26 to October 19, 2024.^[13] The temple was dedicated by Nelson on November 10, 2024.^[6]

Design and architecture

The building has a pioneer-influenced design that took inspiration from historic tabernacles.^[14] The temple's architecture reflects the cultural heritage of the Tooele region and its spiritual significance to the church.

The temple sits on a 15.5-acre plot, and the landscaping around the temple features colorful bushes, plots of grass, and small trees.^[5] These elements are designed to provide a tranquil setting to enhance the sacred atmosphere of the site. The structure stands three stories tall,^[15] constructed with white cast stone.^[5]

The interior features art glass decorated with flowers native to the Tooele Valley, such as cliffrose and silvery lupine,^[16] centered around the baptistry, which is designed to create a spiritually uplifting environment. In addition to the baptistry, the temple includes four instruction rooms and four sealing rooms,^[17] each designed for ceremonial use.

The design includes elements representing symbolism from the Bible, providing deeper spiritual meaning to the temple's appearance and function. Symbolism is important to church members and includes a theme of tall arches in the windows and doorways; the arches are “used to represent Jesus Christ’s emergence from the tomb three days after His death.”^[5]

Temple presidents

The church's temples are directed by a temple president and matron, each serving for a term of three years. The president and matron oversee the administration of temple operations and provide guidance and training for both temple patrons and staff.^[18] The first president of the Deseret Peak Utah Temple is Kenneth L. Hale, with the matron being Jennie W. Hale.^[19]

Admittance

On June 17, 2024, the church announced that a public open house would be held from September 26-October 19, 2024 (excluding Sundays and Saturday, October 5).^[13] The temple was dedicated by Russell M. Nelson on November 10, 2024.^[6] Like all the church's temples, it is not used for Sunday worship services.^[16] To members of the church, temples are regarded as sacred houses of the Lord. Once dedicated, only church members with a current temple recommend can enter for worship.^[20]

See also

Deseret Peak Heber Valley Vernal Price Ephraim Manti Monticello Cedar City St. George Red Cliffs Montpelier Grand Junction Other US Temples Temples in Utah (edit) Wasatch Front Temples Bountiful Brigham City Draper Jordan River Layton Lehi Lindon Logan Mount Timpanogos Ogden Oquirrh Mountain Orem Payson Provo Provo City Center Salt Lake Saratoga Springs Smithfield Syracuse Taylorsville West Jordan Temples along the Wasatch Front (edit) = Operating = Under construction = Announced = Temporarily Closed (edit)

• Comparison of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by geographic region
• Temple architecture (Latter-day Saints)
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah

References

1. "Deseret Peak Utah Temple Construction Underway", newsroom, 15 May 2021
2. "Prophet Announces Eight New Temples at April 2019 General Conference", Newsroom, LDS Church, 7 April 2019
3. "Tooele Valley Temple Relocated and Renamed". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. 2021-01-19. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
4. Wood, Benjamin (7 April 2019). "Major renovations to be unveiled for Salt Lake Temple, other pioneer edifices; Utah to get its 21st Latter-day Saint temple". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
5. "Deseret Peak Utah Temple". Church News. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
6. "The Prophet, age 100, dedicates the Church's 200th house of the Lord — the Deseret Peak Utah Temple: 'The temple is a place of peace and power, and spending time there will literally change a person's life,' President Nelson promises". Church News. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
7. Nelson, President Russell M. "Closing Remarks". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
8. "Leaders honor faithful, unified members in Tooele Valley as they break ground for Deseret Peak Utah Temple". Church News. 2024-01-11. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
9. KUTV, McKenzie Stauffer (2021-01-19). "LDS Tooele County temple relocated, renamed". KUTV. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
10. Hanson, Kurt (25 September 2019). "Plans for Tooele Valley temple announced by LDS Church". Daily Herald.
11. "After community pushback, LDS Church renames, relocates Tooele temple". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
12. "'The healing is good': Tooele Valley Latter-day Saints break ground together for Deseret Peak Utah Temple". Deseret News. 2023-12-20. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
13. "Dedication, open house dates set for Deseret Peak Utah Temple". Church News. 2024-06-17. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
14. "Renderings show first look inside the Deseret Peak Utah Temple". LDS Living. 2020-04-28. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
15. "Renderings released for Tooele Valley, Washington County Utah, Moses Lake Washington Temples". Church News. 2024-01-11. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
16. "Renderings show first look inside the Deseret Peak Utah Temple". LDS Living. 2020-04-28. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
17. "Deseret Peak Utah Temple". Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
18. "Presidents and Matrons of the Deseret Peak Utah Temple | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org". Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
19. "Meet the new Deseret Peak Utah Temple president and matron". Church News. 2024-02-01. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
20. "Inside Temples". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2024-08-26.