SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — President Russell M. Nelson announced a new temple in Ephraim, Utah Saturday for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It will be the church’s 252nd temple, and the 27th in Utah.
Nelson also revealed that plans to renovate the nearby Manti Utah Temple will be adjusted.
Ephraim, which is about seven miles away from Manti, is a town of 7,100 people and is home to Snow College, which has 4,100 students.
Nelson made the announcement is a pre-recorded message from inside the Manti Tabernacle, saying the temple will be “an important addition for the Church’s growing membership in the area — including students at Snow College,” a news release stated. Nelson says the temple will serve 30,000 members in the area.
Church leaders say the Ephraim temple will be approximately 36,000 square feet, which is the same size as the Brigham City Utah Temple. It will have four endowment rooms, each with 30 seats, a baptismal font, and three sealing rooms.
The design of the temple will be released at a later time, and it’s estimated that it will take two years to build.
Temple Department Executive Director Elder Kevin R. Duncan said:
Every new temple built upon the earth brings with it an increase of Christlike service, goodness and love of God and of neighbor. We are especially thrilled that, similar to students who attend other colleges and universities, students who attend Snow College will now have an easily accessible temple in which to serve and worship.”
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Nelson also announced adjustments to plans to renovate the Manti Utah Temple, which will be “a multiyear endeavor that includes mechanical upgrades, safety improvements and the implementation of filmed presentations of temple ceremonies to expand worship access in more than 90 languages,” a news release said.
Nelson said:
As we have continued to seek the direction of the Lord on this matter, we have been impressed to modify our earlier plans for the Manti Utah Temple so that the pioneer craftmanship, artwork and character will be preserved, including the painted murals loved by so many. We will leave those murals where they are located now — inside the Manti Utah Temple. [The temple in Ephraim and the adjustments in Manti] will expand future opportunities for members in this temple district to participate in sacred temple ordinances and, at the same time, allow us to preserve the unique classical character and useful life of the historic Manti Utah Temple.”
Temple Department Managing Director Brent Roberts explained the changes to renovation plans at the Manti temple will include “soil composition, limestone strength, concrete and plaster sampling, water infiltration methodologies and historic aspects of the original temple design.”
Crews will take a look at mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems in the temple and will repair or replace parts as needed. Audiovisual equipment will be installed for the temple’s video presentations.
Roberts said:
Great effort and research have also gone into the proper procedures and methods to clean, restore and preserve the finishes of the temple. This includes the murals. As President Nelson said, they will remain in place, and we will be doing some cleaning and preservation of them, as we have been doing for many years.”
