Orem Utah Temple Wiki

Details

There are 26 stakes organized in the densely populated community of Orem, located between the Provo Utah Temple and Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple. Attendance is very high at these two temples, which were nearly running at capacity before the Payson Utah Temple and Provo City Center Temple were dedicated. The construction of the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple and Orem Utah Temple will further alleviate demands on these temples and provide more opportunities for temple service among the Saints in Utah County.^[1]”President Nelson Announces Eight New Temples During General Conference,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 5 Oct. 2019.

The temple was announced in conjunction with temples for Bahía Blanca, Argentina; Tallahassee, Florida; Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Benin City, Nigeria; Syracuse, Utah; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and Shanghai, People’s Republic of China.

While for most people the announcement was probably overshadowed by the surprise announcement of the temples in Dubai and Shanghai, residents, city leaders, and local church leaders were taken completely by surprise with the announcement.

“Let me assure you the city council has no information concerning the building of this temple other then what was announced in conference.” City Councilman Tom Macdonald said in an interview. “We were just as much surprised as the rest of you. I am sure it will be a great benefit to our wonderful city.”^[2]Pugmire, Genelle. “Orem Temple Announcement Catches Some off-Guard, Excites Area Mayors.” Daily Herald, Daily Herald, 9 Oct. 2019.

History

Announcement

The Orem Utah Temple was announced by President Russell M. Nelson on October 5, 2019, during his closing remarks at the General Women’s Session of General Conference. ^[3]”President Nelson Announces Eight New Temples During General Conference,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 5 Oct. 2019.

Site Announcement

On 11 December 2019, just 67 days after the temple was announced, the location of the Orem Utah Temple was announced. The temple will be constructed on a 16-acre tract of land at approximately 1471 South Geneva Road in the southwest corner of Orem, just west of I-15, southwest of Utah Valley University.^[4]The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temple News Release, “New Temple Site Locations Announced in Texas and Utah,” 11 Dec. 2019.

Neighbor Meeting

A concept site plan for the Orem Utah Temple was presented 8 March 2020 at a meeting held for neighbors of the Geneva Road site. Two buildings would stand on the 16-acre parcel—a stake center and the temple. The meetinghouse would be located near the road while the temple would stand on the back of the lot near the interstate with a stunning backdrop of the Wasatch Mountains. Plenty of parking and beautiful landscaping would surround the sacred structures.^[5]Pugmire, Genelle. “LDS Church Holds Meeting for Future Neighbors of Orem Temple.” Daily Herald, Daily Herald, 8 Mar. 2020.

Planning Commission Approval

The Orem City Planning Commission unanimously approved the necessary zone change to allow the temple in a meeting on 1 April 2020. ^[6]Pugmire, Genelle. “Orem Planning Commission Approves Zone Change for LDS Temple.” Daily Herald, Daily Herald, 2 Apr. 202o.

City Council Approval

The resolution then passed to the city council, which approved it, again, unanimously.^[7]Pugmire, Genelle. “Orem City Council Approves LDS Temple Zone Change.” Daily Herald, Daily Herald, 15 Apr. 2020.

During the meeting members of the city council drew attention to the fact that a line drawing of a simple elevation for the temple lacked the currently ubiquitous Angel Moroni Statue. Councilman Terry Petersen indicated that if the choice were up to him he would prefer to see the temple with the statue.^[8]Pugmire, Genelle. “Orem City Council Approves LDS Temple Zone Change.” Daily Herald, Daily Herald, 15 Apr. 2020.

Tom Heath, manager for the temple construction project indicated that the decision to include or not include was made higher up than his level. “Right now that’s in discussion with the First Presidency and the Presiding Bishopric. Not all temples are having Moroni installed.”^[9]Pugmire, Genelle. “Orem Planning Commission Approves Zone Change for LDS Temple.” Daily Herald, Daily Herald, 2 Apr. 202o.

The early plans for the temple presented to the city planning commission showed a temple that was 70 feet high for the main structure, with a spire reaching up to a total of 218 feet and 6 inches.^[10]Pugmire, Genelle. “Orem Planning Commission Approves Zone Change for LDS Temple.” Daily Herald, Daily Herald, 2 Apr. 202o.

Rendering

On June 24, 2020, an official exterior rendering of the Orem Utah Temple was released.

The Orem Utah Temple will be a three-story building of approximately 70,000 square feet with a central spire. A 20,000-square-foot meetinghouse will also be constructed at the temple site.

Contrary to the wish expressed by at least one on the city council, the temple spire is shown without the traditional Moroni Statue.

Groundbreaking

The First Presidency has announced that ground will be broken for the Orem Utah Temple on Saturday, September 5, 2020. The ceremony will be presided by Elder Craig C. Christensen, president of the Utah Area. Attendance at the temple site will be by invitation only. The three-story, 70,000-square-foot temple and an adjoining 20,000-square-foot meetinghouse will be constructed on a 16-acre parcel located at approximately 1471 South Geneva Road, just west of Interstate 15 and south of University Parkway.

Construction

Topping Out

The spire and finial of the temple were added on 11 December 2021. The spire features art Deco styling, and the use of the finial rather than the traditional Angel statue is indication of the statue practice being all together discontinued.

Inscriptions

The inscription stone, “The House of the Lord, Holiness to the Lord,” was installed over the main entrance of the temple the week of 3-10 April 2022.

Fire

During construction of the temple, a fire was spotted by neighbors and passing motorists on the third floor of the temple at around 11:10 PM on 25 July 2022. Arriving fire crews found light smoke and “minimal” fire activity in a utility room on the third floor.

Despite being careful to state that the cause of the fire was as yet unknown, One article did note that Local firefighters were receiving investigation assistance from state and county fire officials, and that assistance had been requested from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.^[11]Reavy, Pat. “Fire Breaks out inside Orem Latter-Day Saint Temple.” KSL.com, Ksl.com, 26 July 2022. (ATF is typically involved in Arson investigations.)^[12]“Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.” Arson: The Business of ATF | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Dedication

Dedication Order

The Orem Utah Temple will be the twenty-second temple built in Utah and the sixth built in Utah County, following the Provo Utah Temple, the Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple, the Payson Utah Temple, the Provo City Center Temple, and the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple (under construction).

Details

Location

The Orem temple will be a 15-minute walk from the Orem Front Runner station. UVU is about to begin construction of a pedestrian bridge to the station from its campus across the freeway.

While not in the same city as the Provo and Provo City Center Temples, the grouping of these three temples is closer together than any other three in the world, including the closest three temples in the Salt Lake Valley.