Wiki

Description

History

Manti

The story of the Ephraim Utah Temple actually begins in 2019 with the Manti Utah Temple.

In April of 2019 at the end of General Conference, President Russell M. Nelson announced that the pioneer era temples would all be renovated, starting with details being released later that week for the renovation of the Salt Lake Temple.^[1]“April 2019 General Conference News and Announcements.” Newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org, 7 Apr. 2019.

Two years later, after renovations for Salt Lake and St. George Utah Temples had already begun, preliminary details for the coming renovation of the Manti Temple were released on 12 March 2021. As had already happened without public notice at the Salt Lake Temple, the historic Murals were to be removed, preserved, and later displayed in a public location. The Progressive nature of the instruction in the temple was to be removed, and new rooms constructed for stationary presentation of the endowment by video only.^[2]“A First Presidency Update on Historic Temple Renovations.” Newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org, 24 Mar. 2021.

Controversy

Almost immediately, a campaign for preservation rather than remodel of the Manti Temple began, with petitions being started on Facebook and other locations.^[3]“Preserve the Manti Temple.” Facebook. Many sites and organizations took up the call, with the Church eventually opening a line for comments.

On May 1, 2021, a press conference was held at the Manti Tabernacle where a prerecorded message by President Russell M. Nelson was presented, announcing that modifications had been made to the renovation plans for the Manti Utah Temple. He announced a start date for the Construction, October 1, 2021, the and indicated that it would now be a preservation, rather than a renovation. Live presentation of the Endowment would still be discontinued ^[4]”President Nelson Announces a New Temple Will Be Built in Ephraim, Utah,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 1 May. 2021.

Announced

Along with the announcement of the Preservation of the temple, President Nelson announced that a high-capacity temple would instead be built to accommodate upcoming needs in Ephraim Utah.^[5]”President Nelson Announces a New Temple Will Be Built in Ephraim, Utah,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 1 May. 2021.

Temple Rendering

Renderings of the Ephraim Utah Temple and site plan have not yet been publicly released.

Temple Site

No site location has been officially announced for the Ephraim Utah Temple.

Groundbreaking

The Ephraim Utah Temple is currently in the planning stages. No groundbreaking date has been announced.

Dedication

Dedication Order

The Ephraim Utah Temple will be the twenty-seventh temple built in Utah and the second built in Sanpete County, following the Manti Utah Temple (1888).

Detail

Location

Exterior

Temple Design

The Ephraim Utah Temple will be similar in size to the Brigham City Utah Temple, which is approximately 36,000 square feet. It will have four 30-seat endowment rooms, three sealing rooms, and one baptismal font.