Description

The Payson Utah Temple is a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in Payson, Utah. The city of Payson is south of the Provo-Orem area, Springville and Spanish Fork, along the I-15 freeway. The proposed temple site is on the south-west of Payson, near the I-15 highway, and when the building is completed, the temple district will encompass an area serving almost 80,000 members of the Mormon Church.

History

Planning and Announcement

2010

On July 14, 2010, City Planner Jill Spencer presented a staff report on the proposed South Meadows Annexation, which would extend the city boundaries of Payson to include 250 acres of land generally located between 1130 South and 1600 South and between Interstate 15 and 930 West, including the site of the Payson Utah Temple. The annexation sponsors requested acceptance in order to finalize donation of the temple site to the Church. Following annexation, the Nebo School District anticipates its own construction project—a new elementary school near the temple to accommodate growing population in the area. Planner Spencer noted that all property owners around the temple are supportive of the annexation and that staff is working to address their concerns. A motion to recommend approval of the South Meadows Annexation was carried^[1]”Payson City Planning Commission Meeting Minutes,” Payson City, Utah :: Come for a Day Stay for a Lifetime 14 Jul. 2010, 14 May 2011 ..

On July 21, 2010, City Manager Rich Nelson presented to the City Council a draft outline of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a master plan for the area surrounding the temple. He explained the need for the plan including assurance that traffic would flow well among Walmart, the Woodbury property, the temple, and the transportation area. A motion carried to approve the RFP but to increase the amount from $30,000 to $50,000 and to have staff prepare another RFP to include hire of a temporary planner.^[2]”July 21, 2010 City Council Minutes,” Payson City, Utah :: Come for a Day Stay for a Lifetime 21 Jul. 2010, 14 May 2011 .

On August 4, 2010, City Attorney Dave Tuckett explained that an RFP had not been put out as approved in the previous meeting because Mountainland Association of Government had been contacted to see if its services could be utilized on the project. He indicated that resources were available to assist with boundary coordination with Santaquin and that a coordination of resources from the Church may also be available. The Council agreed to move in this direction. A public hearing was also held to receive input on the proposed South Meadows Annexation. Following presentation of the proposal, a short discussion was held, which focused largely on the rights to keep animals on the property. The City Council made a final decision regarding the annexation based on a review of all pertinent data and public input. No qualified protests to the annexation were received.^[3] “August 4, 2010 City Council Minutes,” Payson City, Utah :: Come for a Day Stay for a Lifetime 4 Aug. 2010, 25 Sept. 2010 .

On August 6, 2010, the deed conveying the temple site from the Denise Y. Dehart Revocable Trust to the Corporation of the Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was officially recorded by Utah County.

2011

On April 6, 2011, students enrolled in the Masters of Business Administration program at Brigham Young University made a presentation to the City Council of their analysis of various land use and transportation proposals that may affect the general plan, including recommendations for the Payson City Temple Area. The students proposed residential development around the temple with lot sizes no smaller than 1/3 acre. They explained that low density housing was preferred because it followed the successful model of other temples and that it kept the area less crowded and more open. Their consultation with Church representatives confirmed the preference of residential.^[4]”April 6, 2011 City Council Minutes,” Payson City, Utah :: Come for a Day Stay for a Lifetime 6 Apr. 2011, 14 May 2011 .

On December 14, 2011, the Payson City Planning Commission recommended approval of the applications for the temple including allowing a decorative steel fence along 930 West where solid fencing would normally be required. Although the landscaping plan did not include as many trees as required, it included a compensating number of plants and shrubbery—four times the mandated amount. Church project manager for the temple, Nate Perriton, said the goal is to create a sense of openness. The Commission also recommended allowing the Church to defer installment of sidewalks on the undeveloped portion of the property.^[5] Donald W. Meyers, “Payson planners unanimously OK Mormon temple plans,” Salt Lake Tribune 14 Dec. 2011, 2 Jan. 2012

On January 4, 2012, the Payson City Council unanimously approved a set of applications for the temple including a site plan, conditional-use permit, and boundary adjustment. The conditional-use permit allows the temple to stand in an agricultural-residential zone, to exceed the zoning height restriction to a height of 208 feet, and to have fewer parking spaces than required—justified by a shared parking model with the adjoining meetinghouse, which provides an additional 200 spaces, thus exceeding the requirement. The Church indicated that exterior lights would be extinguished nightly at 11:00 p.m., but council members requested that staff work with Church representatives to find a way to keep them on longer without disturbing neighbors. Construction is anticipated to begin in the spring.^[6]Donald W. Meyers, “Payson City Council approves Mormon temple plans,” Salt Lake Tribune 4 Jan. 2012, 6 Jan. 2012 .

Announcement

On January 25, 2010, President Thomas S. Monson announced plans for the construction of a new temple in Payson, Utah^[7]“New Temples To Open in 2015”, Newsroom, LDS Church, December 12, 2014. He said, “Temples answer those soul-searching questions of the purpose of life, of why we are here and where we are going. They are sanctuaries from the storms of life and bless the lives of members of the Church who worship within their sacred walls.” The new temple will serve the growing membership in southern Utah County and help alleviate demands on the heavily attended Provo Utah Temple.

This news was received with joy, surprise, and the grateful tears of local Church members. “It’s like a dream come true,” local member Bonnie Curtis exclaimed.2 Prior to the temple’s completion, many patrons in the area attended the Provo Utah Temple—one of the busiest in the Church. In addition to easing the swelling demands on the Provo Temple, having a temple in closer proximity to congregants in the area would be a great blessing for older residents in the community who were limited in mobility, explained local Church leader Rod Newman.^[8]Donald W. Meyers, “Mormons Break Ground for Payson Temple.”

Groundbreaking

On October 8, 2011, About 6,000 gathered to the site of the Payson Utah Temple with light rainfall and temperatures in the 30s to participate in a ceremonial groundbreaking. Prayers to lift the rain for the event were answered, but the unseasonable cold remained. Elder Dallin H. Oaks presided over and offered the dedicatory prayer at the service, with William R. Walker conducting and Steven E. Snow, Jay E. Jensen and Janette Hales Beckham in attendance. Jason Chaffetz (representative for Utah’s 3rd congressional district, which includes Payson) participated in the shovel ceremony.[4][5] Additional members watched via TV transmission to meetinghouses elsewhere in the temple district, which stretches from Spanish Fork on the north to Nephi on the south. [https://www.deseretnews.com/article/700186360/Ground-broken-on-Payson-LDS-Temple.html?pg=2] In his remarks, President Oaks noted, “Standing adjacent to I-15, the major north-south artery in Utah, the Payson Utah Temple will be a dominant and visible influence on the millions who pass by here by day and by night.”^[9]The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, “Groundbreaking Held for Payson Utah Temple,” 8 Oct. 2011.^[10] Lesué-Smithey, Rena (October 9, 2011), “Authorities break ground for new LDS temple in Payson”, Daily Herald, Utah, retrieved November 6, 2012

As the temple progressed toward completion, local congregants sought after opportunities to serve and contribute to the temple as a way of showing their deep love for it. Many women, including 81-year-old widow Geniel Pino, donated their time and talents to crochet intricate altar cloths for the temple’s interior. Others donated their physical labor in laying sod on the temple grounds. Of his volunteer experience, local member Bryson Clyde said, “It felt like a very small measure for something so important to me. It was something I could do to give back in a very small way, and I enjoyed the opportunity to do so.”^[11]Bryson H. Clyde, telephone interview with author, Jan. 7, 2015.

Open House

An open house for the Payson Utah Temple, located at 1494 South 930 West, Payson, Utah, was held from Friday, 24 April 2015 through Saturday, 23 May 2015. An open house was not conducted on Sunday 26 April, 3 May, 10 May, or 17 May. Admission was free to the general public, including children of all ages, but reservations were requested and modest dress was required.^[12] “New Temples To Open in 2015”, Newsroom, LDS Church, December 12, 2014

The open house tours began with a 12-minute video providing an overview of temples and why they are significant to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Following the video, a tour host escorted visitors through the temple, explaining the purpose of each room and answering questions as time allowed. At the conclusion of the tour, visitors were invited to a reception area where they could get any further questions that they had answered. More than 400,000 guests of all faiths and walks of life toured the temple’s interior and grounds during this time.

Cultural Celebration

On Saturday, 6 June 2015, despite a storm that rolled in prior to their performance, nearly 13,000 youth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints participated in a cultural celebration entitled Fill the World with Love. The celebration was held at LaVell Edwards Stadium on the Brigham Young University campus in Provo, Utah, and commemorated the heritage of the Payson region through narration, song, and dance.

First Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ, President Henry B. Eyring, told the youthduring the celebration, “You will never forget the satisfaction as you discovered that through effort and determination you can do more than you thought possible.”

Dedication

The Payson Utah Temple was dedicated in three sessions on Sunday, 7 June 2015 at 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.^[13] “Payson Utah Temple Dedicated: The 15th temple in Utah and 146th in the world”, Newsroom, LDS Church, June 7, 2015

All sessions were broadcast to the stakes belonging to the Payson Utah Temple District, and the three-hour block meetings were cancelled that day in order that the Saints could attend this sacred event.

President Henry B. Eyring presided over the services. He offered the dedicatory prayers in the first two sessions, and Elder Neil L. Andersen offered the dedicatory prayer during the third session.

n the prayer, President Eyring expressed appreciation for the new temple: “Our hearts are filled with gratitude for this beautiful edifice which has been erected in our midst. It stands magnificent where it may be seen by all in this community and those who pass by. May it be a constant reminder to those who see it of the obligations of Thy covenant people to walk in righteousness before Thee.”

Also in attendance were members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elders Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks and Quentin L. Cook. Elders Ronald A. Rasband and Ulisses Soares of the Presidency of the Seventy, Elder Kent F. Richards, a member of the Seventy and executive director of the Temple Department, Bishop Gerald Causse of the Presiding Bishopric and Carol F. McConkie, first counselor in the Yong Women General Presidency were also present. Meridian Magazinehas published a photo essay of the day’s events.

Gratitude for the Payson Utah Temple runs high among Church members. Jacee Kirkpatrick, a young woman from Payson, said in the months prior to the temple’s completion, “This temple will have a huge impact on my life because knowing that God’s house is right there is the best gift anyone could get.”7 Jessie Yates, also of Payson, agreed: “I feel like I will become closer to my Heavenly Father … and I will remember the Savior more throughout my day through the ever-close beacon of the temple.”^[14]Jacee Kirkpatrick and Jessie Yates, interview with author,“Payson Utah Temple” MormonTemples.org Jan. 4, 2015.

Dedicatory Prayer

Dedication Order

The Payson Utah Temple was the 15th temple in Utah, The 72nd temple in the United States, and the 146th temple in the world.

 At the time of its dedication there were 13 Temples under construction and another 12 awaiting groundbreaking. 4 Temples were undergoing renovation.

Under Construction	Awaiting Groundbreaking	Under Renovation
Philadelphia Pennsylvania	Concepcion Chile	Mexico City Mexico
Rome Italy	Lisbon Portugal	Montreal Quebec
Trujillo Peru	Urdaneta Philippines	Suva Fiji
Fortaleza Brazil	Barranquilla Colombia	Freiberg Germany
Sapporo Japan	Durban SouthAfrica
Indianapolis Indiana	Kinshasa D. R. C.
Hartford Connecticut	Tucson Arizona
Tijuana Mexico	Arequipa Peru
Fort Collins Colorado	Cedar City Utah
Meridian Idaho	Rio de Janeiro Brazil
Paris France	Abidjan Ivory Coast
Provo City Center	Bangkok Thailand
Star Valley Wyoming

Presidents

Temple President	Years Served
President William B. Sonne	2015–

Details

The temple is located on the southernmost edge of Utah’s Wasatch Front, The temple is located near the intersection of 930 West and 1550 South in Payson on previously undeveloped land.^[15]
“President Monson Announces New Temple in Payson, Utah”, Newsroom, LDS Church, January 25, 2010, retrieved November 6, 2012

The gently sloping land is adjacent to a recently constructed meetinghouse in the Payson Utah Mount Nebo Stake. The site offers scenic mountain views and a convenient location, just a mile from the 800 South exit of I-15.

Landscaping

The manicured grounds of the Payson Utah Temple Its contemporary design was inspired by elements of classical architecture,

Prominently sited on a 10-acre hillside with the Wasatch Mountains as a backdrop, the temple features highly landscaped areas, pedestrian plazas and water features that contribute to a sense of peace and serenity.

The grounds include 2 fountains.  The west fountain is an oblong pool with 3 illuminated nozzles that provide a pleasing aesthetic look and the sound of calming water for guests. The larger east fountain has an oblong upper basin with 7 illuminated geyser nozzles of varying height.  Water flows over the 2 long sides of the upper basin to runnels with custom rockwork creating a river-like feel, then spills over a weir into the larger lower basin.  The upper basin water also flows over the short sides to basins below creating a large waterfall on one side.  The waterfall is illuminated from below creating visual interest.

Exterior

The temple comprises 96,630 square feet and sits on a 10.63 acre site.^[16]Meyers, Donald W. (October 18, 2011), “Mormons break ground for Payson Temple”, The Salt Lake Tribune, retrieved November 6, 2012^[17]Compare with the 1996 Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple at 107,240 sq ft on a 16.7 acre lot

Cladding

The exterior of the temple is precast concrete panels. The warm colors of the articulated precast concrete are evocative of native stone and masonry. The exterior features some 1,615 individual panels totaling 116,876 SF. When making the intricate panels some of the molds had to be made of rubber-like materials so they could be peeled away from the hardened concrete without damaging either the finished concrete or the reusable forms.

Windows

Tom Holdman, of Holdman Studios, did all of the stained glass work for the temple. The glasswork displays apple blossoms, featured in different stages. Starting on the bottom floor in the baptistry, the apple blossoms are barely buds. As you advance to each level through the temple, the apple blossoms grow until they are in full bloom on the top floor of the temple.

Symbolism

Inscriptions

There are 2 inscriptions on the Payson Utah Temple. The first is on the East side of the temple. It is above the east side entrance windows. The letters of the inscription are engraved in the concrete and unpainted.

HOLINESS TO THE LORD   ♢    THE HOUSE OF THE LORD

The second inscription on the Payson Utah Temple is on the west side of the temple. It is above the west side entrance windows. The letters of the inscription are engraved in the concrete and unpainted.

HOLINESS TO THE LORD   ♢    THE HOUSE OF THE LORD

Cornerstone

The cornerstone of the Payson Utah Temple I on the South East corner f the temple facing east. The text on the cornerstone is engraved in the concrete and unpainted.

ERECTED 2015

Spires and Moroni

Spire

The single spire of the Payson Utah Temple is located in the center of the temple. It is a narrow tower surrounded at the base by four larger blocks for accent. At the top of the tower there is a dome like structure that brings the spire down to a single narrower x-shaped post topped by an Angel Moroni statue.

Moroni

On October 10, 2013, hundreds of community members gathered to the Payson Utah Temple site to witness the raising of the figure of the angel Moroni atop the newly installed spire. The statue was sculpted by Karl Quilter in 1985 and was placed to face east.

Interior

Rooms within the temple’s interior include a baptistry, 3 instruction rooms, 7 sealing rooms, and a celestial room.

Payson is know for its apple orchards and wheat, both of which are visible throughout the temple.

In the baptistry, the woodland mural with forest animals in the background is a copy of the Calgary Alberta Temple in Canada.

Polished marble was used on interior floors, wall bases, plinths and columns. Stone for the temple came from quarries in Egypt, Turkey, Brazil, Spain and China. The interior features metal railings and decorative light fixtures made by local craftspeople.

Woodwork for the temple interior uses mahogany from Africa.

The Payson Utah Temple features 19 original pieces of art, many of which are done by local artists. All of the pieces are either landscapes of the area, have historical significance or are pictures of Jesus Christ. Most of the work was done by local artists. When a painting is commissioned for a use in a temple the project goes through several levels of review and must be a pproved by the First Presidency before it can be used in the temple.

Elspeth Young is a local artist who was commissioned to paint pictures for the Payson Utah Temple. An original painting of Jane Elizabeth Manning, one of the first settlers in Utah Valley, hangs in the sealing room waiting area. This picture titled, “Till We Meet Again,” is another picture of the early pioneer by Young.

Individuals and Contractors

Architect	Architectural Nexus
General Contractor	Wadman Corporation
Electrical Engineer	GSL Electric
Structural Engineer	Reaveley Engineers + Associates
Civil Engineer	Great Basin Engineering
Mechanical Engineer	Heath Engineering
Lighting Design	BNA Consulting
Precast	Hanson Structural Precast
Mechanical Sub	Comfort Systems
Structural Steel	Sure Steel In
Water Features	Water Design Inc

Sources and Links