History:
The Ogden Utah Temple (originally named the Ogden Temple) was first announced to be built on August 24th, 1967. The site was dedicated on September 8th, 1969 by Joseph Fielding Smith and Alvin R. Dyer, and the groundbreaking on the same day was done by Hugh B. Brown. The date of the groundbreaking and site dedication happened to also be the 96th birthday of Pres. David O. McKay. President McKay then passed away four months later, but when it came time to dedicate the temple it was dedicated on the second anniversary of his passing. The temple's open house was then on December 16-30, 1971. Then it was finally dedicated on January 18-20th, 1972 by Joseph Fielding Smith. An interesting fact about its history is that in the original design it had an Angel Moroni, but in the end it didn't make the final design. It wasn't until 2002 that the Angel Moroni was added and the once gold spire was change to white. Another interesting fact is that the Ogden Utah Temple was the first temple to be dedicated in the state of Utah, although there had been four other temples dedicated in the Utah before Ogden they had all been dedicated in the territory of Utah. In 2010, the Church announced that the Ogden Utah Temple will have major renovations done on it, making it look on the outside more like the Draper Temple. Like the Draper Temple it will also be facing east instead of west like it currently is. The inside will also be renovated so the Ogden Utah Temple as we know it will be totally different (it kind of saddens my soul, its so nice the way it is). I am sure it will be nice in the end though. Check out the new design.
Architecture/ Decor:
I was expecting it to be exactly like the Provo Temple (its sister temple aka same design) but was pleasantly surprised to find that although it has the same lay out the colors and woodwork are very different. The Ogden Utah Temple has beautiful oak wood in it (the light oak not dark). The color scheme is awesome with green and gold (maybe I love that because it is my wedding colors:). I liked the clear layout that is has and the grounds are very beautiful. I thought one of the coolest things about the temple grounds was instead of having flowers they decorated it with vegetable plants, how self reliant of the Ogden people! You might think that would look ugly, but it actually looks super cool. See picture above
Helpful things to note when visiting this temple:
Location:
Basically you just need to get off the freeway and drive straight on one road, pretty nice. The area has all been redone (probably why the temple is being redone too). I heard in the past that the temple had been in a more shady area of town, but that is not the case now. Now there are nice higher end condominiums, and a more downtown hipness to it. There is also a cute ice cream place kiddy corner to it. The Ogden Utah Mission home is next door in the temple grounds where the Ogden Tabernacle is. On the grounds there is also the first permanent pioneer home in Utah that was moved from its original location by the Weber River. It is the Miles Goodyear Cabin and right next to it is the Daughters of Utah Pioneer Museum, so over all good times. I would imagine these are open during the summer months (they weren't open when we were there).
Scheduling and Temple Clothes:
FYI, the Temple will be closed in 2011 for renovations so if you are going to go in the near future hurry now and go! Other wise you will have to wait until the renovations have taken place. As far as temple clothes go they do have clothes available to be rented.
The source I used and a great source if you want to learn more is:
Ogden Utah Temple http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/ogden/
