Utah’s newest Latter-day Saint temple is not only located prominently on the Salt Lake Valley’s west side but also was designed to reflect that.
And visitors can get a look inside the Taylorsville Temple for themselves starting Saturday for an open house that will stretch through May 18. Admission is free, but online reservations are recommended. Tours run from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Located at 2603 W. 4700 South, this temple of Utah’s predominant faith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is visible just west of Interstate 215.
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Inside the Celestial Room at the Taylorsville Utah Temple.
Built in a “pioneer-era Gothic” architectural style, the design was “inspired by local pioneer tabernacles,” according to a Tuesday news release. Constructed with structural steel and stone cladding, it includes “stylized” versions of area wildflowers in the exterior art glass. The interior features a deep burgundy, lavender and gold color palette inspired by Gothic architecture, but “true to the colors” found on the west side.
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) A baptismal font inside the Taylorsville Utah Temple.
The landscaping has limited grassy areas and includes drought-tolerant plants and a water-wise drip irrigation system.
Church apostle Gerrit W. Gong is scheduled to dedicate the temple June 2. He and his wife, Susan, a Taylorsville native, oversaw the temple’s ceremonial groundbreaking on Halloween in 2020.
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) A sealing room inside the Taylorsville Utah Temple.
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Stairway in the Taylorsville Temple.
It will be the faith’s third temple on the valley’s west side, joining the Jordan River and Oquirrh Mountain temples, both in nearby South Jordan.
A fourth will be coming, in West Jordan. On Sunday, church President Russell M. Nelson announced plans to build a temple in that city (Utah’s third most populous with 116,000 residents) along with one in Utah County’s Lehi.
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) The exterior of the Taylorsville Utah Temple.
On Tuesday, the church also announced that apostle Ronald A. Rasband will rededicate the renovated Manti Temple on April 21.
Farther north, in Davis County, the Layton Temple will open its door to the general public from April 19 through June 1. Apostle David A. Bednar is poised to dedicate it June 16.
Latter-day Saints view a temple as a House of the Lord, a place where the faithful participate in their religion’s highest ordinances, including eternal marriage.
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) A room inside the Taylorsville Utah Temple.
