Neighbors look over the fence during the groundbreaking service for the Taylorsville Utah Temple on Saturday, October 31, 2020. Photo credit: Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
TAYLORSVILLE, Ut. — Construction can officially begin, after the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Taylorsville Utah Temple on Saturday morning.
The 7.5-acre site at 2603 W. 4700 S. was dedicated by Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
“Gathered in these times, in person and via technology, we acknowledge and rejoice with faithful generations, including in historic ‘over Jordan’ communities, who have, here at heart, made this valley home,” Elder Gong said in the dedicatory prayer.
“We celebrate the continuing legacy and promise of their righteous lives and examples.”
The ceremonial shovels used during the groundbreaking of the Taylorsville, Utah Temple on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2020. Photo credit: Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
The construction of the Taylorsville Utah Temple was announced in the October general conference in 2019. The new temple will be about 70,000 square feet in size and stand three stories tall with a center spire. Its design is said to be similar to that of the Provo City Center Temple.
When it is completed, the temple will be the fifth in the Salt Lake Valley among the Salt Lake Temple, Jordan River Utah Temple, Draper Utah Temple and Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple.
The artist’s rendering of the temple does not show an angel Moroni at the top of the spire.
“This temple will be not just [be] a blessing to the members of the church, but everyone in this community will take some sense of ownership and pride,” said Elder Craig C. Christensen, Utah Area President, who conducted the groundbreaking service.
“We’re just watching the temples start to dot this land,” added Elder Christensen. “It’s a reflection of the strength of the saints in Utah.”
Construction is already underway on the Orem, Layton and Saratoga Springs temples. New temples have also been announced in Syracuse, Tooele Valley, Washington County and Lindon.
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