Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple

The Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple was built on a bluff on the edge of the Daybreak Community.{{cite journal |first=Gordon B. |last=Hinckley |author-link=Gordon B. Hinckley |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2005/11/opening-remarks?lang=eng |title=Opening Remarks |date=November 2005 |journal=Ensign |access-date=October 15, 2012}}{{cite web |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/new-salt-lake-valley-temple-announced |title=New Salt Lake Valley Temple Announced |work=Newsroom |publisher=LDS Church |date=October 1, 2005 |access-date=August 18, 2019}} The property was donated to the church by Kennecott Land, a portion of a company that mines copper and precious minerals from the Oquirrh Mountains, a few miles west of the temple. The building features a single stone spire {{convert|193|ft|m}} high, topped by a {{convert|9|ft|m|adj=on}} statue of the angel Moroni. Ground was broken for construction by church president Gordon B. Hinckley on December 16, 2006.{{cite news |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/650215784/Ground-broken-for-LDS-temple.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918064642/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/650215784/Ground-broken-for-LDS-temple.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 18, 2012 |title=Ground broken for LDS temple |first=Carrie A. |last=Moore |date=December 17, 2006 |newspaper=Deseret News |access-date=October 15, 2012}}{{Cite web |date=2009-08-29 |title=Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple information |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2009/8/29/23229728/oquirrh-mountain-utah-temple-information/ |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=Church News |language=en}} After originally being known as the "South Jordan Utah Temple," an update to become the "Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple" was announced at the groundbreaking.{{cite news |title=Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple information |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/archive/2009-08-29/oquirrh-mountain-utah-temple-information-34238 |newspaper=Church News |date=August 29, 2009 |access-date=October 15, 2012}}

The temple was named after the nearby mountain range. The church website says that the term "oquirrh" comes from the Goshute tribe, and when translated means "shining mountains" or "wooded mountain."{{Cite web |title=Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/almanac/temples/oquirrh-mountain-utah/ |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=Church News |language=en}} The temple was designed by Naylor Wentworth Lund Architects.{{Cite web |title=Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple |url=https://www.nwlarchitects.com/projects/oquirrh-mountain-utah-temple |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=www.nwlarchitects.com}}{{Cite web |date=2009-05-20 |title=Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple Facts |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/additional-resource/oquirrh-mountain-utah-temple-facts |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}}

After construction was completed, but prior to beginning a public open house, media were invited to tour the temple in May 2009. Quentin L. Cook, of the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, expressed hope that people of all backgrounds would visit the open house to learn there is nothing "secret" about the temple as people understand the work (ordinances) performed there.{{Cite web |date=2009-05-20 |title=Media tour Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2009/5/20/23230186/media-tour-oquirrh-mountain-utah-temple/ |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=Church News |language=en}} The public open house was held from June 1 to August 1, 2009,{{Cite web |date=2009-08-05 |title='A sacred place' - Open house concludes |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2009/8/5/23229850/a-sacred-place-open-house-concludes/ |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=Church News |language=en}} during which there were almost 590,000 visitors to the temple, including more than 100,000 in its last week.

File:Oquirrh Mountain Temple by photopetros.jpg

On June 13, 2009, the spire was struck by lightning during a thunderstorm. The angel Moroni statue was tarnished, and was replaced on August 11, 2009.{{cite web |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705322723/Moroni-statue-replaced-at-Oquirrh-Mountain-Temple.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814174026/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705322723/Moroni-statue-replaced-at-Oquirrh-Mountain-Temple.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 14, 2009 |title=Moroni statue replaced at Oquirrh Mountain Temple |first=Scott |last=Taylor |date=August 11, 2009 |newspaper=Deseret News |access-date=August 18, 2019}}{{cite web |url=http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=7501114 |title=New Moroni statue placed atop Oquirrh Mountain Temple |date=August 11, 2009 |publisher=KSL.com |access-date=October 15, 2012}}

The temple was initially dedicated by church president Thomas S. Monson on August 21, 2009, with nine total sessions held through August 23. A cornerstone ceremony was held before the first session, which included a local choir singing.{{cite web |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/open-house-and-dedication-dates-announced-for-oquirrh-mountain-utah-temple |title=Open House and Dedication Dates Announced for Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple |work=Newsroom |publisher=LDS Church |date=January 31, 2009 |access-date=August 18, 2019}}{{Cite web |date=2009-08-28 |title=Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple photo gallery |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2009/8/28/23229739/oquirrh-mountain-utah-temple-photo-gallery/ |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=Church News |language=en}}

In 2020, like all others in the church, the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple was closed for a time in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.Stack, Peggy Fletcher. [https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2020/03/26/all-latter-day-saint/ "All Latter-day Saint temples to close due to coronavirus"], The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 March 2020. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.

Designed by Naylor Wentworth Lund Architects, the temple's architecture reflects both the cultural heritage of the South Jordan area and the spiritual significance of the church.

The temple is on an 11-acres, is 60,000 square feet, with a spire height of 193 feet, which includes the 9 foot angel Moroni statue. The surrounding landscaping has water fountain, grass fields, and flower gardens. These elements are designed to provide a tranquil setting to enhance the sacred atmosphere of the site.

The structure stands 183 feet tall, constructed with Uinta Gold granite from China.{{Cite web |date=2009-08-29 |title=Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple information |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2009/8/29/23229728/oquirrh-mountain-utah-temple-information/#:~:text=Architect:%20Naylor%20Wentworth%20Lund%20Architects,,%20Salt%20Lake%20City,%20Utah |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=Church News |language=en}} The exterior has art glass windows with stars, circles, and flutes, elements chosen for their symbolic significance and alignment with temple traditions. The design uses elements that are reflective of both the local culture and broader church symbolism.

The interior has limestone from Egypt and Morocco and white oak wood from Indiana and Kentucky throughout the temple, as well as bronze handrails, chandeliers with Swarovski crystals.{{Cite web |date=2009-08-29 |title=Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple information |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2009/8/29/23229728/oquirrh-mountain-utah-temple-information/#:~:text=Architect:%20Naylor%20Wentworth%20Lund%20Architects,,%20Salt%20Lake%20City,%20Utah |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=Church News |language=en}} White Oak doors cut for the temple came from the German Alps. Murals made for the temple as originals were created by church service missionaries, who were commissioned to create artwork for the temple under the directions of a senior artist. The temple includes six sealing rooms, four instruction rooms, a celestial room, a bride's room, and a baptistry, each designed for ceremonial use. The celestial room has a 15-foot-tall chandelier with 19,447 individual crystals.

The design uses symbolic elements representing Latter-day Saint symbolism, to provide deeper spiritual meaning to its appearance and function. Symbolism is important to church members and include the 10-foot-tall statue of the angel Moroni that sits atop the temple, which represents “the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”{{Cite web |date=2020-09-15 |title=Angel Moroni Statues on Temples |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/angel-moroni-statues-on-temples |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}}

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.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-02 |title=2023 Temple Leadership Assignments |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/2023-temple-leadership-assignments |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}}

Serving from 2009 to 2012, the first president of the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple was Alan S. Layton, with the matron being Leslie P. Layton.{{Cite web |date=2009-04-18 |title=New temple president |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2009/4/18/23230343/new-temple-president-27/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Church News |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2012-06-23 |title=New temple presidents |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2012/6/23/23225448/new-temple-presidents-47/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Church News |language=en}} As of 2024, Michael C. Cannon is the president, with Shauna L. Cannon serving as matron.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-22 |title=Learn about the new leaders of these 8 temples — from Boise to Brazil |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/callings/2024/2/22/24079221/8-new-temple-presidents-and-matrons-salta-argentina-tallahassee-florida/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Church News |language=en}}

On January 31, 2009, the church announced the public open house that was held from June 1-August 1, 2009 (excluding Sundays). The temple was dedicated by Thomas S. Monson from August 21 from 23, 2009, in nine sessions.

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.{{Cite web |last=June 1 |first={{!}} Posted- |last2=P.m |first2=2009 at 5:25 |title=Open houses begin for Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple |url=https://www.ksl.com/article/6673447/open-houses-begin-for-oquirrh-mountain-utah-temple |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=www.ksl.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Inside Temples |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/inside-temples?lang=eng |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=www.churchofjesuschrist.org}}

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{{Reflist}}

• {{cite web |url=http://www.lds.org/newsroom/showrelease/0,15503,3881-1-24483,00.html |title=Groundbreaking Held for Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple |work=Newsroom |publisher=LDS Church |date=December 16, 2006 |access-date=December 19, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070104113928/http://www.lds.org/newsroom/showrelease/0,15503,3881-1-24483,00.html |url-status= dead |archive-date=January 4, 2007}}
• {{cite web |first1=Jared |last1=Page |last2=Moore |first2=Carrie |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/650211517/S-Jordan-planners-OK-temple.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918064702/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/650211517/S-Jordan-planners-OK-temple.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 18, 2012 |title=S. Jordan planners OK temple |date=December 1, 2006 |newspaper=Deseret Morning News |access-date=August 18, 2019}}

• {{Commons category-inline}}
• [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/list?lang=eng Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple Official site]
• [https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/oquirrh-mountain-utah-temple/ Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple] at ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org

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Category:2009 establishments in Utah

Category:21st-century Latter Day Saint temples in the United States

Category:Buildings and structures in South Jordan, Utah

Category:Temples (LDS Church) completed in 2009

Category:Religious buildings and structures in Salt Lake County, Utah

Category:Temples (LDS Church) in Utah