Ogden Utah Temple Wiki

Quick Facts

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Description

The Ogden Utah Temple (formerly the Ogden Temple) is the sixteenth constructed and fourteenth operating temple. Located in Ogden, Utah, it was originally built with a modern, single-spire design very similar to the Provo Utah Temple. During a renovation completed in 2014, the exterior and interior were extensively changed. The temple in Ogden was the first built in Utah since the Salt Lake Temple was dedicated in 1893 and since Utah gained statehood in 1896.

The Ogden Temple serves more than 135,000 members. The intention to construct a temple in Ogden was announced by the LDS Church on August 24, 1967.

History

1920

Talk of  temple for Ogden can be documented as early as 13 December 1920, when a headline on the front page of the ‘Ogden Standard-Examiner’ proclaimed “Ogden to get temple, Mormons are told”^[1]“Front Page,” Ogden Standard-Examiner,(via Library of Congress) 13 December 1920. Accessed 13 August 2017. At that time, both the Logan and Salt Lake Temples were already operating well beyond their capacity.

1921

In May of 1921 President Heber J. Grant inspected a site being offered at 30th Street and Taylor on condition it be used to build a temple. President Grant was greatful for the offer, but as he did not feel a temple could be built at that time due to funds being tied up in other projects int he Church, he ultimately declined.^[2]“First Presidency Inspects Temple Site” Deseret News, 16 May 1921. Accessed 13 August 2017 He did however mention that he was partial to the property of Lester Park.

1924

On 7 May 1924, an offer was made for a trade of some other property the Church owned in Ogden at that time, such as the property known as Tabernacle Square in downtown Ogden (Where the Temple now stands,) for Lester Park. This trade was also declined.^[3]”The Detailed Story of the Old and New Ogden Temples,” Nighuntokolob.blogspot.com, 17 December 2015. Accessed 2 October 2016.

1925

On 12 February of 1956 a tabernacle was dedicated on  the lot that would eventually hold the temple. It was the last tabernacle the church would build before moving solely to a meetinghouse/stake center program.

1966

A 1966 study found that 52 percent of temple work was being done in either the Salt Lake, Logan, or Manti temples, even though there were 13 operating temples throughout the world.^[4]Green, Doyle L., “Two Temples to Be Dedicated”, Ensign, January 1972

1967

In the 1967 the recently formed Church Building Committee was asked to take a look into the overcrowding issues at Manti and Logan and see what could be done to expand the two temples there. They found that, since the temples had been constructed before building codes were put into place, that there was not much that could be done without building codes requiring large portions of the original temple be brought up to code as well. Their suggestion, was that rather than try to make either temple larger, which would include the cost of essentially renovating much of either existing temple, two new temples could be built for less cost. One temple was proposed in Ogden on the tabernacle block, which the Church already owned. The second location the committee proposed was in Provo on a seventeen acre block of property at the base of Rock Canyon being offered to the Church in Provo.^[5]”The Detailed Story of the Old and New Ogden Temples,” Nighuntokolob.blogspot.com, 17 December 2015. Accessed 2 October 2016.

Announcement

Design

The project was then turned over to church Architect Emil B. Fetzer and his staff. President McKay was concerned that the church as a whole would think him a spendthrift for approving not one, but two new temples. The Church had just gone through a major change in emphasis in regards to budgets, and he had already overseen construction of the Los Angeles, Bern, Hamilton, London and Oakland Temples (to that date, no other prophet had overseen more than 4.) He gave the architects very specific orders for austerity and economy in these two new temples.^[8]”The Detailed Story of the Old and New Ogden Temples,” Nighuntokolob.blogspot.com, 17 December 2015. Accessed 2 October 2016. The design guidelines included:

• Reasonable cost^[9]Green, Doyle L., “Two Temples to Be Dedicated”, Ensign, January 1972
• Full size Temples (Not smaller like the recent international temples)^[10]Green, Doyle L., “Two Temples to Be Dedicated”, Ensign, January 1972
• More compact and efficient, not large like the recent Los Angeles California and Oakland California Temples.
• No Assembly Room^[11]”The Detailed Story of the Old and New Ogden Temples,” Nighuntokolob.blogspot.com, 17 December 2015. Accessed 2 October 2016. *
• No Multiple spires, one only^[12]”The Detailed Story of the Old and New Ogden Temples,” Nighuntokolob.blogspot.com, 17 December 2015. Accessed 2 October 2016. *
• No Excess square footage^[13]”The Detailed Story of the Old and New Ogden Temples,” Nighuntokolob.blogspot.com, 17 December 2015. Accessed 2 October 2016. *
• No excess cubage (Vaulted or raised ceilings)^[14]”The Detailed Story of the Old and New Ogden Temples,” Nighuntokolob.blogspot.com, 17 December 2015. Accessed 2 October 2016. *
• One Architectural plan for both temples (absolutely no paying for two plans, though minor changes could be made to the exterior for different looks)^[15]”The Detailed Story of the Old and New Ogden Temples,” Nighuntokolob.blogspot.com, 17 December 2015. Accessed 2 October 2016. *
• No Angel Moroni (though the planning committee purportedly decided to strengthen the spires to hold the weight of a statue, just in case one could be added later.)^[16]”The Detailed Story of the Old and New Ogden Temples,” Nighuntokolob.blogspot.com, 17 December 2015. Accessed 2 October 2016. And indeed, the artists render actually included a Moroni Statue on the spire.

*It’s of interest to note that some of these principles would be used on every temple Emil Fetzer would design.

President McKay said, “I would like these two Temples to be functional and economical with temple quality. In the coming years, many Temples will be built. Of necessity, these Temples must be functional in design and cost so that they may accomplish their sacred purposes.”^[17]David O. McKay, quoted in Emil Baer Fetzer, Completed Writings of Emil Baer Fetzer, 2003, 3, Church History Library, Salt Lake City.

Brother Fetzer would remark that “I think this [Ogden/Provo] is the only building that I have designed in words before I started to put marks on paper.”^[18]Green, Doyle L., “Two Temples to Be Dedicated”, Ensign, January 1972 The desing was wholly from the inside out, with the interior layout and efficiency being the paramount concern, knowing the exterior would come later.^[19]Green, Doyle L., “Two Temples to Be Dedicated”, Ensign, January 1972

After a few months of work and preliminary design, Brother Fetzer and his team were informed that film had been approved for wider domestic use to present the endowment, and that management of the sessions and tracking of ordinances would be turned completely over to the Church’s new computer systems. This meant the number of people needed to run a session and a temple as a whole was reduced significantly. This also meant drastic changes could be made in the design and layout. Three Months of work was thrown completely out and on a late flight from New York to England Brother Fetzer and Brother Fred Baker of the Building Committee discussed the changes, and ways to layout the design of the temple without the restrictions that had just been removed. By the time they landed in England, the had a preliminary design that featured 6 endowment rooms arrayed around a central celestial room, and estimates that this new design could perform more endowment sessions than any other temple in the Church.^[20]”The Detailed Story of the Old and New Ogden Temples,” Nighuntokolob.blogspot.com, 17 December 2015. Accessed 2 October 2016.

Location Announced

President David O. McKay announced on Friday, 30 August 1967 the locations for both the Ogden and Provo Utah Temples. The lChurch owned land known as “Tabernacle Square” had been chosen for the temple location.. ^[21]Smith, Henry A., “Church Chooses Sites For Temples,” Deseret News, 25 August 1967, p19.

The initial plan was that both of the existing tabernacles, including the then historic “Pioneer Tabernacle,” would remain on site, and that an information center would be built north of the newer tabernacle. The Miles Goodyear cabin would be relocated elsewhere in the city.^[22]Jarrard, Jack E., “Two New Utah Temple Drawings Win Okay,” Church News, Deseret News, 03 February 1968, p29, 34-35

Render Released

Groundbreaking Announced

On 16 August 1969 the Church announced that a date had been chosen for the Ogden Temple groundbreaking. 8 September 1969 was the date chosen, specifically to coincide with the birthday of Church President David O. McKay, who himself had grown up in the area, and was born in Huntsville, 10 miles to the east.^[24]”Ogden Temple Rites Set,” Deseret News, 16 August 1969, p33.

Cornerstone

On 7 September 1970, a cornerstone laying ceremony was held with President Joseph Fielding Smith presiding and President N. Eldon Tanner of the First Presidency dedicating the cornerstone. Around 6,000 people were  in attendance.^[26]”Why were the first Ogden/Provo LDS temples designed the way they were?”Nighuntokolob.blogspot.com, 8 February 2016. Accessed 2 October 2016.

Open House and Dedication Announced

On 12 November 1971 the First Presidency announced open house and dedication dates for the Ogden and Provo Utah Temples. Ogden would be open from December 16 to the 30th, excluding Christmas and Sundays, and with 4 PM close times on Mondays. The dedication would then follow 18-20 January with 2 daily sessions at 10 AM and 2 PM. Provo was planned to have an open house 10-29 January, excluding Sundays and with 4 PM closures on Mondays, The dedication would be on one day, 9 February, with 2 sessions, at 2 and 7 PM.^[27]”New Temples Set Tours, Rites,” 12 November 1971, Deseret News, p21.

Open House

Dedication

Dedicatory Order

Operation

After 1 week in operation, the statistical numbers from the Ogden Temple showed that it had out performed all other temples in the number of endowments performed. The Brethren leading the church were sure this could not be the case. Ogden did not have a high enough percentage of members to utilize the temple that well, and there was a certainty that nothing would ever be able to out perform the Salt Lake Temple, the Church’s flagship temple.  The building department was given instruction to recheck the numbers and give a full report after the first month. The new numbers at the end of the first month confirmed the earlier numbers. Not only had the temple performed more endowments in a single month than any other temple, it had performed more endowments in one month than Logan Utah, Manti Utah, St. George Utah, and the Salt Lake Temple Combined.^[29]”The Detailed Story of the Old and New Ogden Temples,” Nighuntokolob.blogspot.com, 17 December 2015. Accessed 2 October 2016. ^[30]”Why were the first Ogden/Provo LDS temples designed the way they were?”Nighuntokolob.blogspot.com, 8 February 2016. Accessed 2 October 2016.

Renovation 2002

Beginning 3 September 2002, both the exterior of the temple and the surrounding grounds underwent significant changes. Weather damage to the exterior of the temple was repaired and the spire, which was originally a bronze color, was painted bright white. A fiberglass statue of the Angel Moroni covered in gold leaf was added to the temple’s spire, almost 30 years after the temple was dedicated.^[31]“Ogden Utah Temple to receive improvements, Moroni statue”, Church News, September 14, 2002 The temple grounds received redesigned walkways and paths allowing visitors to walk around the temple as well as to access the structure from the main adjacent street. The temple did not close for this renovation.

2014 Remodel

Announcement

Render Released

Construction

As part of the overhaul, the upper two stores demolished down to a central structural core. Seismic improvements were made to the core of the structure, and a new temple built around the reinforced framework. The lower story was gutted, the shell remaining largely in place, and a new entryway was carved into the east side. The bottom story of the temple was not fully demolished; rather, the exterior was removed and replaced with new stone and more glass, keeping the interior structure largely the same. Other renovations included new landscaping, new underground parking, and new electrical, heating and plumbing systems.

Render Released

Open House/Dedication Announced

On April 25, 2014, the church announced that with renovations nearing completion, a public open house would be held from 1 August 1 to 6 September 2014.

Open House

Cultural Celebration

On September 20, 2014, the day before the temple rededication, approximately 8,000 youth participated in a cultural celebration titled “Shine the Light,”which included a telling of the area’s history through song and dance.

Rededication

The Ogden Utah Temple was then rededicated on Sept. 21, 2014, by President Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ. He offered the dedicatory prayer in the first of three sessions, then President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency, gave the prayer in the last two sessions. Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and other general authorities were also in attendance.

Hundreds of thousands of Latter-day Saints attended the rededication ceremony for this house of the Lord, either in person or in a meetinghouse across Utah or Wyoming. Nine-year-old Conrad Gerber awoke at 5:30 a.m. so he could be first in line at the ceremony.

President Monson said during the ceremony that the Ogden temple “stands as a beacon of righteousness to all who will follow its light — the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” The motif of light was also prevalent in the cultural celebration the night before, the theme being “Share the Light.” The performances even used a lantern prop traveling from scene to scene, emphasizing the youth’s role to shine the light of Christ on a dark world.^[36] “News Release: Ogden Utah Temple Will Be Rededicated in September 2014”, Newsroom [MormonNewsroom.org], LDS Church, 25 April 2014^[37]“News Release: Ogden Utah Temple Rededicated by President Thomas S. Monson”, Newsroom [MormonNewsroom.org], LDS Church, 21 September 2014

Rededicatory Prayer

Rededication Order

At the time of the Temple’s rededication there were (including Ogden,) 144 temples in operation, 71 temples in the United States, and 15 Temples in Utah. Additionally there were 14 Temples under construction, 12 Temples awaiting groundbreaking, and 3 temples undergoing renovation.

Myths and Stories

There has been a tradition that Emil Fetzer intended the Temple to represent a pillar of fire by night (in the gold spire) and the pillar of cloud by day (The  third story above the windows,) as told in Exodus. 13:21, which states” “The Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way and in a pillar of light by night …” Thus, the white facade of the Temples was the white cloud and the golden spire was lighted at night to represent a pillar of fire.

One source goes so far as to state that he was told this by Kieth Wilcox (Architect of the Washington D.C. Temple) who was told in turn by Emil Fetzer.

During the commencement of the Renovation of the Provo Utah Temple the Church News released an article looking at the coming details of the renovations for the Provo Utah and Manhattan New York Temples. When initially released on 4 April 2024, the Article included the following line:

The temple had a flat, round base with a spire in the center, made to represent Exodus 13:21 as the Lord went before the children of Israel “by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light.”

The article was ammended sometime later to include the following in place of that line:

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article cited an erroneous claim about the Provo Utah Temple’s exterior design by Church architect Emil Fetzer.

Dr. Richard Cowan, BYU emeritus professor of Church History and Doctrine, wrote: “Over the years, various symbolic meanings have been read into the [Provo] temple’s design. . . . Many local Church members believed the [temple was] designed to symbolize the cloud and pillar of fire that led the ancient Israelites during their wanderings in the desert. However, Fred Baker, who worked closely with Emil Fetzer in designing the temple, recalled, ‘We didn’t have any symbolism in mind. . . . The truth is that we were so focused on what happened inside the temple, it never entered our mind’ that there should be any symbolism outside” (”Temples in the Tops of the Mountains — Sacred Houses of the Lord in Utah,” by Richard Cowan and Clinton Christensen [Deseret Book, 2023, page 118]).

Another individual, (This page, 13th comment) however, who says she interviewed Emil Fetzer for a paper on Architecture Symbolism for a class at BYU. She recounted part of the interview in which Fetzer said that “there was no intended symbolism; in fact, he sounded surprised that “everyone knows”… He may have had a vision, but he wouldn’t admit it to me;… had little patience for all the symbolism…”

There is no mention of symbolism or symbolic intent in articles covering the temple dedication, which went into great detail about the design process. A request for information from the Church History Library returned the answer that they could not find any source for the symbolism, and it was never mentioned by Emil fetzer in the documents and histories they have for him. They believe the story rose some time after the dedication.

It should be noted that none of the other temples designed by Emil B. Fetzer have any claimed overt spiritual symbolism to their design. If he did intend the symbolism, it would have been quite a break from his usual style. In fact, looking back at all the temples from the 1877 through the 1980s, there was not much if any symbolism to be found (excepting of course, Salt Lake). It just wasn’t the done thing.

While the symbolism was not intended, once a a creator releases a work to the world, others will frequently apply their own meaning and interpretation. This is just fine. Howevber we should be careful when presenting personal interpritation to others that we do not pressent it as factual.

Presidents

Temple President	Temple Matron	Years Served
Kent John Arrington	Michele Kae Dahle Arrington	2023–
Donald Jack Keyes	Jacquelyn Kendell Keyes	2020–2023
Michael Lee Vellinga	Pamela Bodily Vellinga	2017–2020
Fredrick Froerer III	Kathleen Silver Larsen Froerer	2014–2017
Robert Ricky Steuer	Margaret Black Steuer	2008–2011
Gordon Taylor Watts	Connie Welling Watts	2005–2008
Dale Lloyd Gardner	JoAnne Harper Gardner	2002–2005
James Kirk Moyes	Sharyl Burnett Moyes	1999–2002
Collins Elmer Jones	Betty Mills Ellingson Jones	1996–1999
Harvey Murdock Broadbent	Louise Bawden Broadbent	1993–1996
Dorman H Baird	Lenora Lundahl Baird	1990–1993
Elmer LaMar Buckner	Melba Hale Buckner	1987–1990
Milton Claudius Mecham	Marjorie White Mecham	1985–1987
Keith Wilson Wilcox	Viva May Gammell Wilcox	1980–1985
Leslie Thomas Norton	Loretta Mae Gibbons Norton	1976–1980
Andrew Reed Halversen	Luana Packer Halversen	1972–1976

Details

Location

Exterior

Symbolism

Inscriptions

Cornerstone

Spires and Finial

Interior

Individuals and Contractors

Region

TEMPLES IN UTAH _{by county}

Box Elder	1	Brigham City
Cache	2	Logan · Smithfield
Carbon	1	Price
Davis	3	Bountiful · Layton · Syracuse
Iron	1	Cedar City
Salt Lake	6	Draper · Jordan River · Oquirrh Mountain · Salt Lake · Taylorsville · West Jordan
San Juan	1	Monticello
Sanpete	2	Ephraim · Manti
Tooele	1	Deseret Peak
Uintah	1	Vernal
Utah	9	Lehi · Lindon · Mount Timpanogos · Orem · Payson · Provo Rock Canyon · Provo City Center · Saratoga Springs · Spanish Fork
Wasatch	1	Heber Valley
Washington	2	Red Cliffs · St. George
Weber	1	Ogden

Total: 32

TEMPLES IN UNITED STATES _{by state}

Alabama	2	Birmingham · Huntsville
Alaska	2	Anchorage · Fairbanks
Arizona	9	Flagstaff · Gilbert · Mesa · Phoenix · Queen Creek · Snowflake · The Gila Valley · Tucson · Yuma
Arkansas	1	Bentonville
California	12	Bakersfield · Feather River · Fresno · Los Angeles · Modesto · Newport · Oakland · Redlands · Sacramento · San Diego · San Jose · Yorba Linda
Colorado	4	Colorado Springs · Denver · Fort Collins · Grand Junction
Connecticut	1	Hartford
Florida	5	Fort Lauderdale · Jacksonville · Orlando · Tallahassee · Tampa
Georgia	1	Atlanta
Hawaii	4	Honolulu · Kahului · Kona · Laie
Idaho	11	Boise · Burley · Caldwell · Coeur d’Alene · Idaho Falls · Meridian · Montpelier · Pocatello · Rexburg · Teton River · Twin Falls
Illinois	2	Chicago · Nauvoo
Indiana	1	Indianapolis
Iowa	1	Des Moines
Kansas	1	Wichita
Kentucky	1	Louisville
Louisiana	1	Baton Rouge
Maine	1	Portland
Maryland	1	Washington D.C.
Massachusetts	1	Boston
Michigan	2	Detroit · Grand Rapids
Minnesota	1	St. Paul
Missouri	3	Kansas City · Springfield · St. Louis
Montana	3	Billings · Helena · Missoula
Nebraska	1	Winter Quarters
Nevada	4	Elko · Las Vegas · Lone Mountain · Reno
New Jersey	1	Summit
New Mexico	2	Albuquerque · Farmington
New York	2	Manhattan · Palmyra
North Carolina	2	Charlotte · Raleigh
North Dakota	1	Bismarck
Ohio	3	Cincinnati · Cleveland · Columbus
Oklahoma	2	Oklahoma City · Tulsa
Oregon	3	Medford · Portland · Willamette Valley
Pennsylvania	3	Harrisburg · Philadelphia · Pittsburgh
South Carolina	1	Columbia · Greenville
South Dakota	1	Rapid City
Tennessee	3	Knoxville · Memphis · Nashville
Texas	10	Austin · Dallas · El Paso · Fort Worth · Houston South · Houston · Lubbock · McAllen · McKinney · San Antonio
Utah	32	Bountiful · Brigham City · Cedar City · Deseret Peak · Draper · Ephraim · Heber Valley · Jordan River · Layton · Lehi · Lindon · Logan · Manti · Monticello · Mount Timpanogos · Ogden · Oquirrh Mountain · Orem · Payson · Price · Provo Rock Canyon · Provo City Center · Red Cliffs · Salt Lake · Saratoga Springs · St. George · · Smithfield · Spanish Fork · Syracuse · Taylorsville · Vernal · West Jordan
Virginia	4	Norfolk · Richmond · Roanoke · Winchester
Washington	6	Columbia River · Moses Lake · Seattle · Spokane · Tacoma · Vancouver
Wisconsin	1	Milwaukee
Wyoming	3	Casper · Cody · Star Valley

Total: 158

TEMPLES IN NORTH AMERICA _{by country}

Canada	11	Calgary · Cardston · Edmonton · Halifax · Lethbridge · Montreal · Regina · Toronto · Vancouver · Victoria · Winnipeg
Costa Rica	1	San José
Dominican Republic	1	Santiago · Santo Domingo
El Salvador	1	San Salvador · Santa Ana
Guatemala	6	Cobán · Guatemala City · Huehuetenango · Miraflores Monterrey · Guatemala City · Quetzaltenango · Retalhuleu
Haiti	1	Port-au-Prince ·
Honduras	2	Tegucigalpa · San Pedro Sula
Mexico	27	Cancún · Chihuahua · Ciudad Juárez · Colonia Juárez · Cuernavaca · Culiacan · Guadalajara · Hermosillo Sonora · Juchitán de Zaragoza · Merida · Mexico City Benemerito · Mexico City · Monterrey · Oaxaca · Pachuca · Puebla · Querétaro · Reynosa · San Luis Potosi · Tampico · Tijuana · Toluca · Torreon · Tula · Tuxtla Gutierrez · Veracruz · Villahermosa
Nicaragua	1	Managua
Panama	1	Panama City
Puerto Rico	1	San Juan
United States	158	Albuquerque · Anchorage · Atlanta · Austin · Bakersfield · Baton Rouge · Bentonville · Billings · Birmingham · Bismarck · Boise · Boston · Bountiful · Brigham City · Burley · Caldwell · Casper · Cedar City · Charlotte · Chicago · Cincinnati · Cleveland · Cody · Coeur d’Alene · Colorado Springs · Columbia · Columbia River · Columbus · Dallas · Denver · Des Moines · Deseret Peak · Detroit · Draper · El Paso · Elko · Ephraim · Fairbanks · Fairview · Farmington · Feather River · Flagstaff · Fort Collins · Fort Lauderdale · Fort Worth · Fresno · The Gila Valley · Gilbert · Grand Junction · Grand Rapids · Greenville · Harrisburg · Hartford · Heber Valley · Helena · Honolulu · Houston South · Houston · Huntsville · Idaho Falls · Indianapolis · Jacksonville · Jordan River · Kahului · Kansas City · Knoxville · Kona · Laie · Las Vegas · Layton · Lehi · Lindon · Logan · Lone Mountain · Los Angeles · Louisville · Lubbock · Manhattan · Manti · McAllen · Medford · Memphis · Meridian · Mesa · Milwaukee · Missoula · Modesto · Monticello · Montpelier · Moses Lake · Mount Timpanogos · Nashville · Nauvoo · Newport · Norfolk · Oakland · Ogden · Oklahoma City · Oquirrh Mountain · Orem · Orlando · Palmyra · Payson · Philadelphia · Phoenix · Pittsburgh · Pocatello · Portland M · Portland O · Price · Provo City Center · Provo Rock Canyon · Queen Creek · Raleigh · Rapid City · Red Cliffs · Redlands · Reno · Rexburg · Richmond · Roanoke · Sacramento · Salt Lake · San Antonio · San Diego · San Jose · Saratoga Springs · Seattle · Smithfield · Snowflake · Spanish Fork · Spokane · Springfield · St. George · St. Louis · St. Paul · Star Valley · Summit · Syracuse · Tacoma · Tallahassee · Tampa · Taylorsville · Teton River · Tucson · Tulsa · Twin Falls · Vancouver · Vernal · Washington D.C. · West Jordan · Wichita · Willamette Valley · Winchester · Winter Quarters · Yorba Linda · Yuma

Total: 209

Sources and Links

Last updated on: 12 August 2025