President Nelson Announces New Temple in Ephraim, Utah

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said Saturday, May 1, that the faith will build a new temple in Ephraim, Utah.

In a prerecorded message played at a press conference inside the Manti Tabernacle (seven miles, or 11 kilometers, south of Ephraim), the prophet said the new house of the Lord will be an important addition for the Church’s growing membership in the area — including students at Snow College. “We care about their well-being and their future,” President Nelson said.

The temple in Ephraim is the 252nd temple in the Church and the 27th in Utah.

The prophet also said the Church has adjusted the renovation plans for the 133-year-old Manti Utah Temple. The project will still be, as detailed in March, 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.

The renovation of the Manti Temple will begin in October 2021, he said.

“As we have continued to seek the direction of the Lord on this matter,” President Nelson said, “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 advent of a temple in Ephraim and the adjustments to the Manti Temple “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,” President Nelson said.

After President Nelson’s remarks, additional details about both temples were shared by Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Temple Department Executive Director Elder Kevin R. Duncan, Bishop W. Christopher Waddell of the Presiding Bishopric and Special Projects Department Managing Director Brent Roberts.

“What we have just heard from our loving prophet is the mind and the will and the direction of the Lord Jesus Christ,” Elder Rasband said. “This is a great announcement for the whole kingdom of God on earth.”

The New Temple in Ephraim

Elder Duncan said the new temple in Ephraim will be similar in size to the Brigham City Utah Temple, which is approximately 36,000 square feet. The new temple will serve some 30,000 Latter-day Saints and have four 30-seat endowment rooms, three sealing rooms and one baptismal font. Endowment sessions with film presentations will occur every half hour.

Bishop Waddell said the site and design of the temple will be released later. After design and permitting are finished, he said, the temple in Ephraim will take two years to build.

“Every new temple built upon the earth brings with it an increase of Christlike service, goodness and love of God and of neighbor,” Elder Duncan said. “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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