Description
The Jordan River Utah Temple (formerly the Jordan River Temple) is the 20th operating temple. Unlike most modern temples, which are built mostly with tithing funds, the Jordan River Temple site was given to the church and all of its construction was paid for by members in the 134 stakes within the temple district. At the time, payment from local building funds was the established practice in the church, but was later abandoned in order to respond to the church’s need for temples and church buildings in developing areas of the world.
History
Announcement
The building of the temple was announced on 3 February 1978 by President Spencer W. Kimball at a news conference. At the time that the Jordan River Utah Temple was announced, about half of all of the endowments performed in the Church took place in 3 of the 16 operating temples: the Salt Lake Temple, the Ogden Utah Temple, and the Provo Utah Temple.
Shortly after the design was formally decided upon it was discovered that the temple property crossed the border between two different zoning laws: one with a height limit, and one with out. Fortunately, the tallest portion of the temple design lay on the property area that had no height limit, so no rezoning or redesign was required.
[1]Trent Toone, “Looking back on the rich history of the Jordan River Temple,” Deseret News, 2 July 2012
Groundbreaking
A site dedication and groundbreaking ceremony were held on 9 June 1979. Spencer W. Kimball, then President of the Church, presided over the ceremony and dedication. Usually, during the groundbreaking ceremony, a small shovel-full of dirt is turned to represent the beginning of construction, but President Kimball felt that he should follow his oft-quoted motto “lengthen your stride,” and instead used a large power scoop shovel to begin the building process.
Cornerstone Ceremony
Temples in the Mid 20th century often had cornerstone ceremonies that were seperate from both the groundbreaking (As was tradition with the eearlier pioneer temples,) and from the dedication (As is the tradition with modern temples. This cornerstone ceremony often coincides with the completion of the exterior of th temple. The cornerstone ceremony for the Jordan River Temple was held 15 August 1981, about 1 and 1/2 months before the open house. More than 10,000 people attended the ceremony.
Music for the event was provided by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, President Marion G. Romney conducted,and addresses wer made President Gordon B. Hinckley, President Ezra Taft Benson, and brief remarks by President Spencer W. Kimball.
[2]“Jordan River Temple Cornerstone Is Laid,” Ensign, October 1981
Open House
The Jordan River Temple was open to the public for tours 29 September through 31 October 1981. Over half a million people toured the temple during its open house.
Dedication
Marion G. Romney, a member of the church’s First Presidency, dedicated the Jordan River Temple in fifteen sessions held 16 November through 20 November 1981. President Kimball was not able to give the dedicatory prayer, although he had prepared it, because he was recovering from a recent surgery. Just hours before the dedication of the Jordan River Utah Temple, news correspondents announced that President Spencer W. Kimball, who was recovering from surgery and a lengthy hospital stay, would likely be confined to his room at the Hotel Utah during the dedication services. But with tears of joy, he was welcomed to the Celestial Room just before the ceremony commenced. More than 160,000 members attended the dedicatory services. Thirty of those in attendance at the dedication were elderly men and women who had been at the historic dedication of the first temple in the Salt Lake Valley, the Salt Lake Temple. Most were very young but remember the event vividly.
In his dedicatory prayer, President Romney paid tribute to the Mormon settlers who had prepared the way for temples to be built in the Salt Lake Valley: “We are thankful that Thou didst inspire Thy prophet, Brigham Young, to lead Thy people to this beautiful and peaceful valley; that Thou didst inspire him to plan the Salt Lake Temple, whose pointed spires, reaching toward heaven, symbolize the eternal quest of Thy children for the blessing of exaltation in Thy holy presence. We are thankful too that Thou didst inspire Thy prophet in this day to select the beautiful site for this edifice on which still another holy temple has been erected in this valley.”
Dedicatory Prayer
Dedication Order
The Jordan River Utah Temple is the 20th operating temple in the world, the 14th in the United States, the 7th temple built in Utah and the 2nd built in the Salt Lake Valley, following the Salt Lake Temple. The Jordan River Utah Temple and the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple were the first pair of temples to be built in the same city.
Renovation
On August 7, 2015, the LDS Church announced that the temple would close for renovations that were anticipated to be completed during the latter part of 2017.
[3]“Jordan River Utah Temple Will Close for Extensive Renovation”, Newsroom, LDS Church, August 7, 2015
.
Closure
On August 7, 2015 the Church announced the pending renovation of the Jordan River Utah Temple. February 15, 2016 The temple closed and the renovation began.The general floor plan remained the same, but selective interior walls came down to accommodate remodeling of the Celestial Room, bride’s room, initiatory areas, and the baptistry including the addition of a separate baptistry entrance. The entire interior and exterior were refreshed and beautified with new furnishings, finishes, carpet, artwork, and murals. Escalators were replaced with staircases. Outdated mechanical and electrical systems were replaced with modern equipment including plumbing, heating, and air conditioning. The roof was replaced, and seismic upgrades were made. Modifications to the landscaping have beautified the temple grounds.
Open House
On August 3, 2017, the LDS Church announced that following anticipated completion of the renovations, a public open house is scheduled from March 17 through April 28, 2018, excluding Sundays and two Saturdays associated with the church’s general conference.
[ref name=”open”]“Jordan River Utah Temple Open House and Rededication Dates Announced”, Newsroom, LDS Church, August 3, 2017[/ref]
Cultural Celebration
A cultural celebration will be held 19 May 2018 commemorating the heritage of the region through narration, song, and dance.
Rededication
The Jordan River Utah Temple will be rededicated in three sessions at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, and 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, 20 May 2018. All sessions will be broadcast to meetinghouses belonging to the Jordan River, Oquirrh Mountain, and Draper temple districts. To enable the Saints to participate in the temple rededication and to place appropriate focus on this sacred event, the three-hour block meetings will be canceled that day for these members. The temple will reopen for ordinance work on 22 May 2018.[backref name=”open”]
Presidents
| Temple President | Years Served |
|---|---|
| President William A. Schaefermeyer | 2014– |
| President Robert P. Haight | 2011–2014 |
| President F. Wayne Chamberlain | 2008–2011 |
| President Robert L. Backman | 2005–2008 |
| President Ben B. Banks | 2002–2005 |
| President Loring M. Hampton | 1999–2002 |
| President LeGrand R. Curtis | 1996–1999 |
| President C. Elliott Richards | 1993–1996 |
| President Wm. Grant Bangerter | 1990–1993 |
| President John A. Larsen | 1987–1990 |
| President H. Burke Peterson | 1985–1987 |
| President Donovan H. Van Dam | 1981–1985 |
Details
The temple is the fourth largest LDS temple (but second-largest in Utah) and has a total of 148,236 square feet (13,771.6 m2), six ordinance rooms, and seventeen sealing rooms. The temple also has the largest capacity. The temple site is 15 acres (61,000 m2).
An elegant example of the contemporary single-spire architectural style, the Jordan River Temple was designed by Emil B. Fetzer, Church architect for more than 20 years, who designed temples located on five continents.
At night, colorful, muted light shines onto the temple grounds through narrow stained glass windows ascending the temple walls and spire
Location
Located in South Jordan, Utah, The Jordan River Temple serves members of the Church in Southern Salt Lake County, Utah. Geographically, this is the smallest Mormon temple district in the world, but the temple is one of the Church’s busiest. The temple is the fourth largest Mormon temple and has a total of 148,236 square feet, six ordinance rooms, and 16 sealing rooms. The temple also has the largest capacity, with each ordinance room able to accommodate 125 people. It is located on 15 acres.
Landscape
The fountain located at the east side near the main entry is newly constructed using concrete, stone and precast concrete finishes. The fountain was designed by Water Design in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The landscaping immediately surrounding the temple and sidewalks is new, and the other areas have been refreshed. Some new conifer and deciduous trees have been planted. Groundcovering, flowers and plants are used throughout planting beds near the temple and were designed by MGB&A in Salt Lake City, Utah.
All fencing and perimeter walls are existing and were constructed of precast concrete panels with painted steel infill panels, used along the east property line. Painted concrete block walls are used along the south, north and west property lines. The precast panels are fluted and have similar details to those used on the temple. Painted steel fence panels use an elliptical drape detail similar to that found on the temple.
Exterior
Cladding
Cast stone and marble chips cover the temple’s exterior, creating a clean white surface. Repetitive design lines incorporating inverted arches give the roofline and spire a unique scalloped look.
Windows
The temple has unique exterior facade art glass as part of the natural lighting on the second and third floors. The window feature is also represented in the unoccupied tower and spire. These existing art glass features of the temple were constructed in the Dalle de Verre technique (a glass art technique that uses pieces of colored glass) with various shades and colors of glass.
West Entrance
In the recently completed 2018 an entrance was added to the west side. Newly married couples may now exit on the west side of the temple to greet their guests and take photographs. The exit has new doors containing etched art glass and decorative light fixtures and opens onto a concrete plaza that has decorative metal bench seating.
Symbolism
Inscriptions
There is one inscription on the Jordan River Utah Temple. The inscription is on the Northeast corner of the temple, on the east face of the temple. The inscription is engraved into the precast, and gilded. Under the inscription is the name of the Church, followed by the name of the temple.
THE HOUSE OF THE LORD ⯆ HOLINESS TO THE LORD
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
JORDAN RIVER TEMPLE
Cornerstone
The cornerstone is on the north east corner of the temple, facing east, below and to the right (north) of the inscription. Like the inscription the text is engraved into the precast and gilded.
ERECTED
1979-1981
Spires and Moroni
Spire
The Temple was built with a modern single-spire design, with the spire placed directly over the center of the temple. The spire appears to be identical to the rest of the cast-stone building but is in fact made of lightweight material called cemlite containing fiberglass. The spire is 219.5 feet in height, including the Moroni.
Moroni
It is one of Four temples using the Design created by Avard Fairbanks for the Washington D.C. Temple. It is one of five temples featuring an Angel Moroni statue holding the gold plates. The other four temples which feature an Angel Moroni statue holding the gold plates are the Washington DC Temple, Seattle Washington Temple, and Mexico City Mexico Temple, and lastly Los Angeles California Temple, which uses the Millard Malin Statue.
Interior
The temple is the fourth largest LDS temple (but second-largest in Utah) and has a total of 148,236 square feet (13,771.6 m2), six ordinance rooms, and seventeen sealing rooms. The temple is laid out on a similar floorplan to the (Original) Ogden Utah and Provo Temples. Similar floorplans had been used for the Seattle Washington and Mexico City Temples when the Jordan River Temple was announced but was designed to be 25% larger than it’s Provo and Ogden nieghbors. As a result the temple has the largest capacity, with each ordinance room able to accommodate 125 people.
Flooring
New Emperador Light marble quarried in Turkey, fabricated in China and installed by IMS Masonry of Lindon, Utah, was used in the main entry, lobby, clothing issue, waiting
rooms and baptistry area. The same marble was cut into mosaic patterns for use in the baptistry and dressing rooms. New porcelain tile, used in all the restrooms throughout the temple, was supplied by Daltile in Dallas,Texas. New nylon carpet, in both broadloom and tile, were manufactured by Bentley Mills in the city of Industry, California, for use throughout the temple. Custom hand-tufted rugs were made by Rugs International in Shanghai, China, for use in the bride’s room as well as the lobby and waiting rooms.
Decorative Painting
The new decorative paint patterns were applied by Halfmoon Studio in Midvale, Utah, and were designed by Naylor Wentworth Lund Architects’ interior designers working in collaboration with Church designers. These simple linework applications used gold leaf and neutral paint colors to enhance architectural details such as steps, reliefs, coffers and recesses found in ceiling spaces, corridors or walls. Additional patterning using a modified and enhanced swag detail with neutral paint colors and gold leaf enhancement of frieze details was applied in the baptistry, celestial room and sealing rooms. A new Art Deco pattern motif was applied on the ceiling in the celestial room.
Interior Art Glass
All new interior art glass, using clear or etched glass with inch bevel border detail, was installed in the sealing room and celestial room doors.
Lighting
Custom light fixtures in the lobby, chapel, baptistry and instruction rooms were designed and fabricated with assistance by HB Architectural Lighting, New York, New York. They are constructed of brass and acrylic lenses for the diffusers. Celestial room and sealing room fixtures are custom crystal fixtures by Schonbek Lighting of New York, New York, made with Swarovski crystal from Austria. The shape and style of the fixtures is reminiscent of the simplicity found in the Art Deco period.
Millwork
The use of a flute and swag motif derived from the exterior architectural detailing is being used in the existing interior details and is used to adorn the millwork in certain locations. It was fabricated and installed by Riverwoods Mill in St. George, Utah.
Baptismal Font Railings
The railings are bronze and contain a decorative elliptical drape motif that matches details throughout the temple. Ducworks in Logan, Utah, fabricated and installed the railings.
Doors And Hardware
Custom door hardware is bronze and includes the use of the flute motif to ease the edge. It was fabricated by Rocky Mountain Hardware in Hailey, Idaho.
Walls
The majority of the walls in the temple have vinyl wall coverings by multiple United States manufacturers, including Maharam, Trikes, MDC, Symphony, Weitzner, Koroseal
and Concertex. The wallcoverings are all Type II vinyl, which increases durability and ease of maintenance. A custom patterned wallcovering was developed with Trikes for the sealing rooms using a modified swag motif.
Ceilings
The majority of the ceilings are newly painted, hung gypsum board ceilings with small coffers or flat raised areas. The baptistry room dome was replaced with a new gypsum board ceiling. The celestial room has a custom glass-reinforced gypsum dome, which was a part of the original construction and was refinished during the remodel. The dome in the celestial room is a two-directional ellipse, connecting it to the elliptical flutes and details used in the temple. The ceiling and drywall contractor for this project is Wallboard Specialties from West Jordan, Utah.
Individuals and Contractors
| Architect | Emil B. Fetzer |
| Project Manager | Jerry Sears |
| Contractor | Layton Construction |
| Renovation Architect | Naylor, Wentworth and Lund |
| Renovation Contractor | Westland Construction |
Sources and Links
References
| ↑1 | Trent Toone, “Looking back on the rich history of the Jordan River Temple,” Deseret News, 2 July 2012 |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | “Jordan River Temple Cornerstone Is Laid,” Ensign, October 1981 |
| ↑3 | “Jordan River Utah Temple Will Close for Extensive Renovation”, Newsroom, LDS Church, August 7, 2015 |