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Saratoga Springs Utah Temple

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Coordinates: 40°20′39″N 111°55′58″W / 40.3442°N 111.9327°W / 40.3442; -111.9327
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Saratoga Springs Utah Temple
Map
Number179
Dedication13 August 2023, by Henry B. Eyring[3]
Site22.71 acres (9.19 ha)
Floor area97,836 sq ft (9,089.3 m2)
Height199.75 ft (60.88 m)
Official website • News & images
Church chronology
←
Helena Montana Temple
Saratoga Springs Utah Temple 		→
Brasília Brazil Temple
Additional information
Announced2 April 2017, by Thomas S. Monson[1]
Groundbreaking19 October 2019, by Craig C. Christensen[2]
Open house15 April-8 July 2023
Current presidentLon William Sorensen
LocationSaratoga Springs, Utah, United States
Geographic coordinates40°20′39″N 111°55′58″W / 40.3442°N 111.9327°W / 40.3442; -111.9327
Baptistries1
Ordinance rooms4
Sealing rooms6
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The Saratoga Springs Utah Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Saratoga Springs, Utah. The intent to build the temple was announced on April 2, 2017, by church president Thomas S. Monson, during general conference.[4] The temple is the 18th in Utah and the fifth in Utah County.[5] A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify the beginning of construction, was held on October 19, 2019, conducted by Craig C. Christensen, a church general authority.[6]

Saratoga Temple
Saratoga Springs Utah Temple

History

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The intent to construct the temple was announced by church president Thomas S. Monson on April 2, 2017, during general conference.[citation needed] It was the last announced by Monson before his death in January 2018.[4] When it was completed, it was the 14th temple in Utah.[7]

On May 7, 2019, the church announced preliminary information on the temple's anticipated location and size.[8][9][10] A groundbreaking, to signify beginning of construction, was held on October 19, 2019, with Craig C. Christensen, president of the church's Utah Area, presiding.[11][12]

On November 21, 2022, the LDS Church announced that a public open house would be held from April 15 through July 8, 2023, excluding Sundays.[13] The temple was dedicated on August 13, 2023, by Henry B. Eyring, of the church's First Presidency.[14]

Design and architecture

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The building has a traditional Latter-day Saint temple design. Its architecture reflects the cultural heritage of the Saratoga Springs region and its spiritual significance to the church.[5][15]

The temple sits on a 22.7-acre plot[5], and the landscaping around the temple features local plants, evergreen trees, and shrubs.[15] A meetinghouse is also located on the site.[5]

The temple has a single attached central spire topped with a statue of the angel Moroni.[15] The structure stands three stories tall[5], constructed with beige precast concrete panels.[15] The exterior has a decorative band with a mountain design that wraps around the temple, metal panels with images of Utah Lake wetlands and snowy egrets, and art glass windows.[16]

The interior design features a motif of stylized wildflowers, including irises, daisies, and chrysanthemums, centered around a color palette of purples, blues, greens, and golds, designed to represent the nearby Wasatch Mountains and Utah Lake.[5] The natural landscape around the temple is also referenced in stylized lines that symbolize water, waves, and mountains and appear throughout the temple.[16] The art glass throughout the temple reflects colors and forms from both the interior and exterior.[16]

The temple includes four ordinance rooms, six sealing rooms, and one baptistry, each arranged for ceremonial use.[15]

The design has elements representing the heritage of the Saratoga Springs area, which provide spiritual meaning to the temple's appearance and function.[5][15] Symbolism is important to church members and are depicted throughout the temple, including in the interior art glass windows.[16] The windows in the baptistry feature a snowy egret, which is a Saratoga Springs City logo; there are wave and water patterns at the bottom of the windows to represent Utah Lake, as well as stylized mountains to symbolize the Wasatch Mountains.[17]

Church activities

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While the temple was under construction, several stakes held pioneer trek events near the grounds.[18] These are events where young church members “reenact some of the faith-building experiences of the pioneers who journeyed to the Salt Lake Valley in the mid-1800s. Youth could be organized into groups or ‘families,’ wear pioneer-era clothing, pull handcarts, and discuss the faith of those who made courageous sacrifices to gather to Zion.”[19] A 5K run took place the day before the temple’s dedication.[20]

Temple presidents

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The church's temples are directed by a temple president and matron, each serving for a term of three years. The president and matron oversee the administration of temple operations and provide guidance and training for both temple patrons and staff.[21] Since its 2023 dedication, Lon W. Sorensen and Marie Sorensen have been the president and matron.[22]

Admittance

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Following the temple’s completion, the church held a public open house from April 15-July 8, 2023 (excluding Sundays).[23] Over the course of the open house, 587,749 people visited the temple.[5] The temple was dedicated by Henry B. Eyring on August 13, 2023.[18]

Like all the church's temples, it is not used for Sunday worship services. To members of the church, temples are regarded as sacred houses of the Lord. Once dedicated, only church members with a current temple recommend can enter for worship.[24]

See also

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Temples in Utah (edit)
Wasatch Front Temples
Temples along the Wasatch Front (edit)
  • = Operating
  • = Under construction
  • = Announced
  • = Temporarily Closed
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References

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  1. ^ "President Monson Announces Five New Temples: Mormon temples to be built in South America, Africa, Philippines and US". Newsroom. LDS Church. 2 April 2017.
  2. ^ "Ground Broken for Utah's 18th Temple", newsroom, LDS Church, 19 October 2019, retrieved 28 September 2023
  3. ^ "Now-dedicated Saratoga Springs Utah Temple 'a sign of the Lord's trust,' President Eyring says", Church News, Deseret News, 13 August 2023, retrieved 28 September 2023
  4. ^ a b Monson, President Thomas S. Monson President of the Church ImagePresident Thomas S. "The Power of the Book of Mormon". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h "Saratoga Springs Utah Temple". Church News. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  6. ^ "See the Saratoga Springs temple site and learn why the groundbreaking is a 'miracle' for Latter-day Saints". Church News. 2019-10-19. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  7. ^ "List of Temples | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also LDS Church or Mormon Church)". Retrieved 2018-04-01.
  8. ^ "Saratoga Springs Utah Temple Plans Provided: Location is identified as plans are filed with city", Newsroom, LDS Church, May 7, 2019
  9. ^ Herald, Daily. "After 2 years, LDS Church releases details on Saratoga Springs temple". Daily Herald. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  10. ^ Christensen, RaeAnn (7 May 2019). "Latter-day Saints flock to future Saratoga Springs temple location". KUTV. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  11. ^ "Ground Broken for Utah's 18th Temple: Saratoga Springs temple is the fifth in Utah County", Newsroom, LDS Church, October 19, 2019
  12. ^ Stilson, Ashley (19 Oct 2019). "LDS members eagerly brave the cold for Saratoga Springs temple groundbreaking". Daily Herald. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  13. ^ "Open House Dates for Saratoga Springs Temple Released", Newsroom, LDS Church, 2022-11-21
  14. ^ "Now-Dedicated Saratoga Springs Utah Temple 'a Sign of the Lord's Trust,' President Eyring Says: Member of the First Presidency dedicates Church's 179th house of the Lord on Sunday, August 13", Newsroom, LDS Church, 2023-08-13
  15. ^ a b c d e f "Saratoga Springs Utah Temple | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org". Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  16. ^ a b c d "See interior, exterior photos of the new Saratoga Springs Utah Temple". Church News. 2023-04-10. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  17. ^ "Saratoga Springs Utah Temple to open for public open house". BYU Daily Universe. 2023-04-11. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  18. ^ a b "Now-dedicated Saratoga Springs Utah Temple 'a sign of the Lord's trust,' President Eyring says". Church News. 2023-08-13. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  19. ^ "Activity: Pioneer Treks". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  20. ^ "YSAs run towards temple during 'Together in Christ' conference". Church News. 2023-08-13. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  21. ^ "Presidents and Matrons of the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org". Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  22. ^ "New Temple Leaders Called to Serve in 2022". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. 2022-10-27. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  23. ^ "Saratoga Springs Utah Temple Public Open House". Temple Open Houses. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  24. ^ "Inside Temples". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
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