Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple

Since Provo's early years, a hill just northeast of downtown Provo was known as "Temple Hill". Instead of a temple, however, the Maeser Building was built on the hill in 1911 as a part of the BYU campus. A {{convert|17|acre|m2|adj=on}} block of property at the base of Rock Canyon was chosen as the site for the Provo Temple.{{Cite web |date=2012-01-28 |title=Provo Utah Temple: Four decades of service |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/archives/2012-01-28/provo-utah-temple-four-decades-of-service-53586 |access-date=2020-11-15 |website=Church News |language=en-US}} The preliminary plans called for a four-story structure of 130,825 square feet.

The temple was announced by the counselors in the First Presidency, Hugh B. Brown and N. Eldon Tanner, during a meeting with 28 local stake presidencies, on August 14, 1967. A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify the beginning of construction, was held on September 15, 1969. The temple was dedicated on February 9, 1972, by church president Joseph Fielding Smith. The two dedicatory services were broadcast to several large auditoriums on the BYU campus, including the 22,700-seat Marriott Center.

Emil B. Fetzer, the architect for the Ogden and Provo temples, was asked to create a functional design with efficiency, convenience, and reasonable cost as key factors.{{Cite web |title=David Amott: LDS Church should spare the historic Provo Temple |url=https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/commentary/2021/12/02/david-amott-lds-church/ |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=The Salt Lake Tribune |language=en-US}}

The temple sits on a 17-acre site, with its surrounding landscaping featuring gardens, fountains, and walkways. These elements are designed to provide a tranquil setting that enhances the sacred atmosphere of the site.

Views about the architectural design from the temple have been seen as representing the "pillar of cloud" by day, and the "pillar of fire" by night, guiding the children of Israel.

The structure stands four stories tall, constructed with precast concrete, gold anodized aluminum grills, and bronze glass panels. The exterior is characterized by its rounded shape, single spire, and Gothic-like arch designs, each chosen for their symbolic significance and alignment with temple traditions.

The interior features murals, crystal and glass chandeliers, and gold detailing, found throughout the temple, designed to create a spiritually uplifting environment. The temple had 6 instruction rooms, used for the endowment, and 12 sealing rooms, all surrounded by a circular hallway, and has a total floor area of {{convert|128325|sqft|m2}}.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-09 |title=The Provo Utah Temple is now 50 years old. Learn more about its history and future |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2022/2/9/23218910/provo-utah-temple-history-future-renovation-redesign-50th-anniversary |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=Church News |language=en}} The general contractor for the temple was Hogan and Tingey.

Symbolic elements are integrated into the design, providing deeper meaning to the temple's function and aesthetics. Incorporated into the design are symbolic elements representing the Bible and Book of Mormon which provide deeper spiritual meaning to the temple's appearance and function. Symbolism is important to church members. These symbols include the central spire and baptismal font. To members of the church, the central spire represents reaching upwards to heaven. In this temple, the central spire was originally painted gold to symbolize the pillar of fire by night set upon a large white building that represented the pillar of cloud by day, referring to the Israelites in their exodus from Egypt spoken of in Exodus 13:21-22. In the temple, baptismal fonts rest on the back of 12 oxen, symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel.{{Cite web |last=Morris|first=Michael R.|title=Symbolism and Temple Preparation |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/eng/new-era/2013/10/symbolism-and-temple-preparation |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=www.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}}

Over the years, the Provo Utah Temple has undergone several renovations to preserve its structural integrity, update facilities, and enhance its spiritual and aesthetic appeal. The most significant prior renovation project began in 2003.

The original designs for the temple featured a golden spire with an angel Moroni covered in gold leaf atop the spire. This statue was later removed from the plan. Thirty-one years after the temple's completion, a statue of the angel Moroni was added to the spire, which itself was changed from gold to white.{{Cite web |last=Herald |first=Billy Hesterman-Daily |title=The many styles and changes of Angel Moroni on LDS temples |url=https://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/central/provo/the-many-styles-and-changes-of-angel-moroni-on-lds-temples/article_ca41513f-478f-5c7e-8908-7f0ff6afc1b7.html |access-date=2020-11-15 |website=Daily Herald |language=en}} With the current renovations that commenced in February 2024, the designs do not include an angel Moroni statue.{{Cite web |title=Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple {{!}} ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org |url=https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/provo-utah-rock-canyon-temple/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}

In the October 2021 general conference, church president Russell M. Nelson announced the temple would be reconstructed following the dedication of the Orem Utah Temple (which was dedicated in January 2024).{{Cite web |date=2021-10-03 |title=President Nelson announces 13 new temples during October 2021 general conference |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2021-10-03/president-nelson-announces-new-temples-october-2021-general-conference-228495 |access-date=2021-10-04 |website=Church News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2020-06-24 |title=Groundbreaking for new Orem Temple announced |url=https://kslnewsradio.com/1927914/orem-temple-groundbreaking/? |access-date=2021-10-04 |website=KSLNewsRadio}} The new design will not reflect the modernist plans of the original building, despite some opposition from community members. The new designs are similar to other contemporary temples, including the Orem Utah and Deseret Peak Utah temples.

File:ProvoTempleRemodel-April2025.jpg

In February 2024, the church announced that following reconstruction, the temple would be renamed the Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple.{{cite web |last1=Ashcraft |first1=Emily |date=20 February 2024 |title=Church of Jesus Christ announces name change for Provo temple |url=https://www.ksl.com/article/50883819/temple-to-be-renamed-provo-utah-rock-canyon-temple-church-of-jesus-christ-announces |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220224217/https://www.ksl.com/article/50883819/temple-to-be-renamed-provo-utah-rock-canyon-temple-church-of-jesus-christ-announces |archive-date=20 February 2024 |access-date=20 February 2024 |website=KSL.com |language=en}}

Throughout the 1960s, enrollment at BYU in Provo, Utah expanded, and church membership grew. The Logan, Manti, and Salt Lake temples were overcrowded, with about 52% of all temple ordinances being performed in those 3 temples. Construction in Ogden and Provo was completed to ease the impact on the other temples. The Ogden and Provo temples were built at the same time with similar designs to increase efficiency and economize the building process.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-12 |title=The Provo Utah Temple will be redesigned. Here's what it will look like |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2021/11/24/23217912/redesigned-provo-utah-temple-exterior-rendering/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=Church News |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple {{!}} ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org |url=https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/provo-utah-rock-canyon-temple/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}

In the spring of 1983, major flooding in the region threatened the temple.{{Cite web |title=The Daily Herald from Provo, Utah on May 30, 1983 · 34 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/469345668/ |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=Newspapers.com |date=May 30, 1983 |language=en}} On May 29, 1983, the city, with help from volunteers, turned Temple View Drive into a temporary river.{{Cite web |title=History of Flooding in the Canyon « Rock Canyon Provo, Utah |url=https://www.rockcanyonutah.com/?page_id=208 |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=www.rockcanyonutah.com}}

In 2020, like all the church's temples, the 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. It reopened on May 11, 2020, for limited use, and then completely reopened on June 14, 2021.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-24 |title=Temple reopening status tracker — through June 24 |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2022/6/24/23218716/temple-reopening-status-tracker-worldwide |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Church News |language=en}}

A temple-to-temple run is held annually between the Provo and Provo City Center temples.{{Cite web |date=2015-07-21 |title=Thousands Set to Run 'Temple to Temple' in Provo |url=https://www.abc4.com/news/thousands-set-to-run-temple-to-temple-in-provo/ |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=ABC4 Utah |language=en-US}}

A temple is where church members go to make sacred promises, or covenants, and perform ordinances for themselves or on behalf of their deceased ancestors.{{Cite web |date=15 April 2023 |title=Why Latter-day Saints Build Temples: A Commandment with Blessings |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/why-latter-day-saints-build-temples?lang=eng |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=www.churchofjesuschrist.org}} These ordinances include baptism and confirmation, washing and anointing, endowment, and sealing. While the grounds are open to everyone, only church members who hold a current temple recommend enter the temple to participate in the ordinances.{{Cite web |title=Provo Utah Temple |url=https://www.go-utah.com/Provo-Mormon-Temple/ |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=www.go-utah.com |language=en}}

In large part because of its location across the street from a Missionary Training Center and proximity to BYU, the Provo Utah Temple was one of the church's busiest. In 2016, the Provo City Center Temple was dedicated, making Provo the second city in the world, following South Jordan, Utah, to have two active temples.{{citation |last=Walch |first=Tad |title=Elder Oaks dedicates Provo City Center Temple as 150th temple of the LDS Church |date=March 20, 2016 |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865650516/Provo-City-Center-Temple-to-be-dedicated-as-150th-temple-of-the-LDS-Church.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323015455/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865650516/Provo-City-Center-Temple-to-be-dedicated-as-150th-temple-of-the-LDS-Church.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 23, 2016 |newspaper=Deseret News}} The two temples are 2.4 miles apart.Taylor, Scott. [https://www.deseret.com/2017/10/19/20635826/how-far-apart-are-these-mormon-temples#two-lds-temples-in-one-photo-the-draper-background-and-the-oquirrh-mountain-temple-still-under-construction-photo-by-scott-g-winterton-deseret-news-two-lds-temples-in-one-photo-the-draper-background-and-the-oquirrh-mountain-temple-still-under-construction-photo-by-scott-g-winterton-deseret-news-january-13-2009-photo-by-scott-g-winterton-deseret-news "How far apart are these Mormon temples?"], Deseret News, 19 October 2017. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.

As of 2022, the temple served stakes from the cities of Provo, Orem, Vineyard, Midway and Heber City.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-24 |title=First look: Provo Latter-day Saint temple will have dramatic new design |url=https://www.deseret.com/faith/2021/11/24/22800521/first-look-provo-latter-day-saint-temple-will-have-dramatic-new-design |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}

Notable presidents of the temple include:

• A. Theodore Tuttle (1980–82)
• J. Elliot Cameron (1989–92)
• Dean L. Larsen (1998–2001)
• Merrill J. Bateman (2007–10)
• Robert H. Daines III (2010–13)
• Alan Ashton (2013–2016){{citation |newspaper= Church News |date= June 1, 2013 |url= https://www.thechurchnews.com/archive/2013-06-01/new-temple-presidents-39607 |title= New temple presidents}}

Since its dedication in 1972, the temple has been overseen by a series of temple presidents, each serving for a term of three years. A temple president is responsible for the administration of temple operations and spiritual guidance for both temple patrons and staff.{{Cite web |title=Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple {{!}} ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org |url=https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/provo-utah-rock-canyon-temple/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}

The first president of the Provo Utah Temple was Herold G. Clark, who served from 1972 to 1976. As of 2022, James W. Barry is the president.{{Cite web |title=Presidents and Matrons of the Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple {{!}} ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org |url=https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/provo-utah-rock-canyon-temple/presidents/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}

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{{Commons category|Provo Utah Temple}}

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

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Category:20th-century Latter Day Saint temples in the United States

Category:Buildings and structures in Provo, Utah

Category:Temples (LDS Church) completed in 1972

Category:Temples (LDS Church) in Utah

Category:1972 establishments in Utah

Category:Religious buildings and structures in Utah County, Utah

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