Jordan River Utah Temple |
20th operating temple |
Phone Number: 801-254-3003.
Site: 15 acres.
Exterior Finish: Cast stone with white marble chips. Although the tower appears to be of the same material, it actually contains fiberglass in a product called cemlite in order to reduce weight.
Temple Design: Modern, single-spire design.
Number of Rooms: Six ordinance rooms and seventeen sealing.
Total Floor Area: 148,236 square feet.
Groundbreaking and Site Dedication: 9 June 1979 by Spencer W. Kimball
Public Open House: 29 September–31 October 1981
Dedication: 16–20 November 1981 by Marion G. Romney
The beautifully white Jordan River Utah Temple stands in the southern Salt Lake Valley, 2 miles west of I-15. It is the namesake of the Jordan River, which flows about a mile east of the temple on its course through the valley. At the entrance to the temple, visitors are greeted by a striking water fountain, which spouts among vividly colored flowers and shrubs. The grounds are open to all who wish to the feel the peace that surrounds this holy building.
The Jordan River Utah Temple was the seventh temple built in Utah and the second built in the Salt Lake Valley, following the Salt Lake Temple (1893).
The Jordan River Utah Temple was the only temple dedicated by President Marion G. Romney, who served as second counselor in the First Presidency.
Among the busiest temples in the Church, the Jordan River Utah Temple operates six ordinance rooms, allowing sessions to begin every 20 minutes. (Only three other temples have six ordinance rooms: the Ogden Utah Temple, Provo Utah Temple, and Washington D.C. Temple.)
The Jordan River Utah Temple was originally named the Jordan River Temple.
At the unconventional groundbreaking ceremony of the Jordan River Utah Temple, President Spencer W. Kimball delivered his address, offered the dedicatory prayer, and then mounted a huge Caterpillar tractor—operating the controls to move a giant shovelful of dirt.
The Jordan River Utah Temple is one of five temples featuring an angel Moroni statue holding the gold plates. (The other four temples are the Los Angeles California Temple, Washington D.C. Temple, Seattle Washington Temple, and México City México Temple.)
The Jordan River Utah Temple and the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple are the only two temples in the world located in the same city.
