Payson Utah Temple

The intent to construct the temple was announced on January 25, 2010, by church president Thomas S. Monson. The temple is located near the intersection of 930 West and 1550 South in Payson, on previously undeveloped land. Additional details, such as the planned size, were announced later.{{citation |url= https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/president-monson-announces-new-temple-in-payson-utah |title= President Monson Announces New Temple in Payson, Utah |work= Newsroom |publisher= LDS Church |date= January 25, 2010 |access-date= November 6, 2012 }}

Dallin H. Oaks presided at the groundbreaking ceremony on October 8, 2011, with William R. Walker conducting and Steven E. Snow, Jay E. Jensen, and Janette Hales Beckham also in attendance. Jason Chaffetz (representative for Utah's 3rd congressional district, which includes Payson) participated in the shovel ceremony.{{citation |first= R. Scott |last= Lloyd |date= October 8, 2011 |title= Payson Utah Temple groundbreaking - a temple stands as a lighted beacon |url= https://www.thechurchnews.com/archive/2011-10-08/payson-utah-temple-groundbreaking-a-temple-stands-as-a-lighted-beacon-37658 |newspaper= Church News |access-date= November 6, 2012 }}{{citation |first= Rena |last= Lesué-Smithey |date= October 9, 2011 |title= Authorities break ground for new LDS temple in Payson |url= http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/south/payson/article_bda1dd49-4d9f-5bda-8ef1-4f49f99c3721.html |newspaper= Daily Herald |location= Utah |access-date= November 6, 2012 }}

When construction was completed in 2015, the temple became one of the largest built in recent years, at 96,630 square feet on a 15-acre lot.{{citation |first= Donald W. |last= Meyers |date= October 18, 2011 |title= Mormons break ground for Payson Temple |url= http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/52694330-183/temple-church-construction-oaks.html.csp |newspaper= The Salt Lake Tribune |access-date= November 6, 2012 }}Compare with the 1996 Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple at 107,240 sq ft on a 16.7 acre lot A public open house was held from April 24 to May 23, 2015, excluding Sundays.{{citation |url= https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/new-temples-to-open-in-2015 |title= New Temples To Open in 2015 |work= Newsroom |publisher= LDS Church |date= December 12, 2014 }} The temple was dedicated by Henry B. Eyring, of the church's First Presidency on June 7, 2015.

In 2020, like all the church's others, the Payson Utah Temple was closed 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.

The temple was built in a “classical architectural style influenced by the pioneer vernacular architecture of the area.”{{Cite web |title=LDS Payson Utah Temple Cover |url=https://www.wadman.com/lds-payson-utah-temple-cover |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Wadman Corporation |language=en-US}} Designed by Architectural Nexus, its architecture reflects both the cultural heritage of the city of Payon and its spiritual significance to the church.

The temple is on a 10.63-acre plot,{{Cite web |title=Payson Utah Temple |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/almanac/temples/payson-utah/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Church News |language=en}} and the landscaping around the temple features scenic views of the nearby mountains. These elements are designed to provide a tranquil setting that enhances the sacred atmosphere of the site.

The structure stands 208 feet tall, and was constructed with precast concrete panels. The exterior's color is “evocative of historically used native stone and masonry," as well as its central spire and angel Moroni statue. These elements were chosen for their symbolic significance and alignment with temple traditions.

The interior features art glass windows centered around motifs of apple blossoms, leafy vines, and wheat stalks, designed to honor the region’s agricultural history.{{Cite web |title=Church Newsroom - Official Newsroom of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}} The temple’s interior is also decorated with numerous artworks, including nineteen original pieces.

The temple includes three instruction rooms, seven sealing rooms, and a baptistry, each designed for ceremonial use.

The design uses symbolic elements representing the heritage of the region, to provide deeper spiritual meaning to the temple's appearance and function. Symbolism is important to church and include the apple blossom motif found in the art glass windows, representing Payson’s apple orchards.{{Cite web |title=Church Newsroom - Official Newsroom of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng |access-date=2025-01-18 |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.

Serving from 2015 to 2018, the first president of the Payson Utah Temple was William B. Sonne, with Elizabeth K. Sonne as matron.{{Cite web |title=Church Newsroom - Official Newsroom of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}} As of 2024, Lynn A. Gilbert is the president, with Cindy L. Gilbert serving as matron.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-07 |title=New presidents and matrons of 16 temples around the world — from Boston to Brazil |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2024/03/07/new-temple-presidents-and-matrons-2024-boston-to-brazil/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Church News |language=en}}

On April 21, 2015, the church announced the public open house that was held from April 24-May 23, 2015 (excluding Sundays).{{Cite web |last=April 21 |first=Tracie Snowder {{!}} Posted- |last2=P.m |first2=2015 at 5:46 |title=Photos: First look inside Payson Temple |url=https://www.ksl.com/article/34330414/photos-first-look-inside-payson-temple |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=www.ksl.com |language=en}} The temple was dedicated by Henry B. Eyring on June 7, 2015, in three sessions.{{Cite web |date=2015-06-13 |title=Newest temple brings family, community together |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2015/6/12/23213080/newest-temple-brings-family-community-together/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Church News |language=en}}

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 |title=Inside Temples |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/inside-temples?lang=eng |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=www.churchofjesuschrist.org}}

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• [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/details/payson-utah-temple?lang=eng Payson Utah Temple Official site]
• [https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/payson-utah-temple/ Payson Utah Temple] at ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org

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

Category:Religious buildings and structures in Utah County, Utah

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Category:2015 establishments in Utah

Category:Temples (LDS Church) completed in 2015

Category:Buildings and structures in Payson, Utah

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