The Tenth Temple: The Ogden Utah Temple

For the month of December, Tyler and I visited the Ogden Utah Temple. It was a nice snowless December day when we went, which made it nice for walking around the grounds. I also fulfilled a dream that day by finally eating at a temple cafeteria. For those of you who don't know this some of the older and larger temples have cafeterias. I have never eaten at any of them before and growing up in MN where the Minneapolis Saint Paul Temple was rather small, I always wondered what one of these cafeterias were like. To answer your question of how was it, it was pretty much like any other cafeteria. I had a taco salad, which was ok. It was still a fun time for me, call me lame hehe.

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/

The Ninth Temple: Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple

For the month of November, Tyler and I visited the Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple. We went on November 6th, 2010. It was a great experience.

History:

The Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple was announced in General Conference as a new temple in Utah County on October 3rd, 1992. It wasn't until the next conference that it was announced that it would be built in the southern part of American Fork that was once a farm operated by church welfare. The ground breaking and site dedication was on October 9th, 1993 by Gordon B. Hinckley. The open house was then from August 6th to September 21st, 1996. Then it was then dedicated October 13th-19th, 1996.

Architecture/ Decor:

The Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple was designed after the floor plan of the Bountiful Utah Temple. Just like the Bountiful temple this temple is filled with open rooms filled with 90's style designs. That uses geometric shapes.

Helpful things to note when visiting this temple:

Location:

This temple is well of the main freeway, yet easy to find because you only need to take one main road to get there. The roads are decently busy yet all there is after getting on to that road is four way stops (which can be fun when driving in Utah County if you know what I mean).

Scheduling and Temple Clothes:

This is a fairly large temple so you don't need to worry about calling ahead to schedule a time. There are also clothing rentals available there as well as a cafeteria.

The source I used and a great source if you want to learn more is:

Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple: http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/mounttimpanogos/

The Eighth Temple: Draper Utah Temple

It has been a while since my last post. I have been really busy but I have finally found time to post the next two temples that we have visited. For the month of October, Tyler and I went to the Draper Utah Temple on Oct 30th, 2010. It was a nice trip (as every trip to the temple is).

History:

The building of the Draper Utah Temple was announced as an anonymous temple in the October 2, 2004 session of General Conference. At that time it was only announced as a temple to be built in the Salt Lake Valley. It wasn't until Sunday November 21, 2004 that through a letter from the First Presidency members in southern Salt Lake County learned this temple would be built in Draper. In 2005 Draper City Council changed zoning laws making it possible for this temple to be built (before that buildings could not reach 90 feet in hight in residential areas). President Gordon B. Hinckley broke ground for the dedication of the site on April 5, 2006. The open house was then held from January 15th through March 14, 2009. The temple was then dedicated on March 20th-22, 2009 by President Thomas S. Monson.

Architecture/ Decor:

Some interesting facts about the Draper Utah Temple is that it was made with Granite from China, Makore wood from Africa, and limestone from France. All of the art-glass windows actually survived a fire while the studio that they were being made in all was destroyed. The art theme of the temple is that of the sego lily which is the state flower. The temple also has beautiful murals of the local landscape. This temple also has the largest sealing room in Utah. Over all it feels like a large temple built with very high end materials (I won't say that is is elaborate like SLC temple or Manti though).

Helpful things to know when visiting this temple:

Location:

Overall just get off at Draper and head up the hill. There is pretty good signage as to how to get there. It is a bit harder to get to though then the other temples in the area aka Oquirrh Mountian or Jordan River Temple.

Scheduling and Temple Clothes:

This is a large enough temple were you don't need to schedule ahead of time and there is also temple clothing for rental.

Other things to note:

Over all if you go to this temple be prepared to be confused as to where things are. Out of any of the temples I have gone to this temple was the easiest to get lost in. Temple workers are nice but just assume you know where you are going so if you look lost don't expect someone to give you directions. Also there are tons of random huge wood doors without labeling where you are like "where does this go?" and no help to tell you. I would recommend going with someone who has gone there before.

A Source I used to write this and one I would recommend looking at is:

Draper Utah Temple: http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/draper/

The Seventh Temple: Monticello Utah Temple

First off I would like to say sorry for this late post. I have been super busy with school, work, sickness (cold), family functions, and wedding planning. Now with that said, I will continue to post on our latest temple that we have visited. On September 4th, 2010, Tyler and I drove to Monticello/Moab area for our Labor Day Weekend. We also went with my roomie and good friend Melissa. We dropped her off in Moab as we went on to Monticello to go to the temple for the 12 o'clock session. Then afterwards we spent the rest of the weekend at Arches National Park (hiked Delicate Arch), Dead Horse Point State Park, Canyonland National Park, and eating the amazing and cheap burgers at Milts Dinner in Moab. We also had a great time camping:) In all a great Labor Day weekend. Enough about the non-temple fun and lets focus on the Monticello Utah Temple.

History:

The Monticello Utah Temple was announced on October 4th, 1997. The ground breaking and site dedication was on November 17th, 1997. The first open house was on July 16th-18th, 1998. Then dedicated on July 26-27, 1998 by Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley. This temple was the first of the small temples. It was actually the smallest temple until an an expansion project. The temple was then rededicated on November 17th, 2002 after an open house from November 2-9th, 2002. Another interesting fact about this temple is that the Angel Moroni was originally white but due to it being hard to see when it was cloudy the statue was replaced by a gold leafed Moroni.

Architecture/ Decor:

The Monticello Utah Temple is interesting in that unlike the other Utah temples this one is really small. It seems more like a temple outside of Utah. The temple grounds seem like a little green park next to all the dry desert landscape. The temple does have a really cool mural of the Monticello landscape. In all its a nice little temple.

Helpful things to know when visiting this Temple:

Location:

The Monticello Utah Temple is on the North West corner of the town. It was hard to miss because Monticello is incredibility small. I think you could probably walk the whole Main Street in 10 minutes.

Scheduling and Temple Clothes:

Due to this being a small temple there are no clothing rentals and there are also a limited number of sessions. You don't need to call in though because the sessions aren't overly busy. In fact when I called ahead (which I did due to it being a small temple) the lady kind of thought I was crazy for calling ahead (I guess small temples in Utah aren't like visiting small temples in other states).

Other things to Note:

If you are hungry Monticello has two food places: Taco Time or Subway. If neither of those seem up your alley stop in Moab before heading out to Monticello. While in the area try to go to the awesome National Park.

The site I got my info and if you wish to learn more:

Monticello Utah LDS Temple: http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/monticello/

The Sixth Temple Visited: The Bountiful Utah Temple

On August 13th (Friday the 13th hehe), 2010, Tyler and I went to the Bountiful Utah Temple for the 4 o'clock session and then out to dinner. It was a nice evening and the temple was moderately busy with couples on temple dates for date night. In all a great night!

History:

The Utah Bountiful Temple is no surprise named after the town in which it is in, which interestingly enough is named after a Book of Mormon city. The town was actually first called Session's Settlement and was settled by Perrigrine Sessions and his family on Sept 27, 1847. It wasn't until 1855 that they changed it to be named after the Book of Mormon city and due to it being known for their gardens (I really don't blame them Bountiful is ten times cooler of name than Session's Settlement not too creative). This temple was announced to be built on April 6th, 1991. The ground breaking was on May 2, 1992 by Ezra Taft Benson. The open house was from Nov 4, 1994 to Dec 7th, 1994. The temple was dedicated on January 8-14, 1995 by Howard W. Hunter (one of the two temples he dedication during his short time as president of the church). Interestingly enough the Bountiful temple has the record of having the most people physically attend a temple dedication with a total number of 201,655 people in their 28 dedicatory sessions (fascinating to compare to temples today where wide broadcasts of dedications are made).

Architecture/ Decor

The Bountiful Utah Temple has some interesting and unique features about it. One is built on a mountain over looking the Great Salt Lake and the whole northern valley. It is also surrounded by some pretty nice multi-millionaire homes. It also has underground parking a feature not seen at any of the other temples I have been to so far on this temple challenge. It also has beautiful arches by the entrance and really cool formal sliding doors. Those doors feel like nice doors you should open but instead slide open for you (makes sense because there are no handles on them). The temple is also filled with many windows bringing in a natural light. This temple is very simplistic and not really historically based like many of the temples Tyler and I have gone too. It does have a slight 90's feel inside in the furniture that is used, especially with the chairs in the endowment room (kind of reminds me of 90's movies office chairs). The Celestial Room was Tyler's favorite Celestial Room yet (this was due to having small palm trees in it, he loves palm trees). One thing that surprised me is that I also thought Bountiful was a small temple but it is fairly large and the rooms are pretty large compared to a lot of temples.

Helpful things to know when visiting this Temple:

Location:

Not far off of 1-15 exit, just drive towards the mountain and their are signs to help point out where it is. Basically look for the mountain, Angel Moroni, and expensive homes.

Scheduling and Temple Clothes:

You don't need to call ahead because they have two Endowment rooms that are large. They also have sessions that start every 30 minutes. They do have temple clothing rentals for a small few

Other things to note:

If you're hungry and in the mood for cafeteria food they also have a cafeteria. I have to admit one of my dreams is to eat at a temple cafeteria. I will live this dream sometime during this challenge (probably at Provo Temple). They also have a lot of fast food restaurants in the area if you go down to Main Street but not so many sit down restaurants (that aren't shady). Also come early because parking lot is packed. Their parking spots are also very tight to get into compared to most temple parking spots that are abnormally painted large.

The sites I got my info and if you wish to learn more:

Bountiful Utah LDS Temple: http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/bountiful/

Bountiful, Utah: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bountiful,_Utah

The Fifth Temple Visited: Vernal Utah Temple

Last Saturday July 31, 2010, Tyler and I went on a fun road trip to Vernal, Utah to go to the Vernal Utah Temple. We went to the 1:30 session. We had a great time at the temple. It was cool in that the session we attended there was a pregnant lady who was very close to being due who was going in through the temple for the first time and her mom who had cancer was her escort. It was interesting to think of how the lady going through for the first time was going to be sealed that day to her husband and her soon to be child would be born in the covenant being sealed to both of them. It was also neat to think that her sickly mother could be there and that even if she died from cancer because of the temple she would be able to see her daughter, son-in-law, and her soon to be grandchild again. That truly is the power of the temple, to make it possible for ones family to continue forever. That no matter what happens if you are all true to your covenants made there in, dead has truly lost her sting and her bitterness but instead it just means a bit of a wait until you get to see them again.

History:

The Vernal Utah Temple is the first temple to be built in an already previously built building. The temple's outside is the renovated original Uintah Stake Tabernacle. The tabernacle was built in 1907 and fittingly was dedicated as a temple in 1997. While the tabernacle's outside still stays with a few new touches such as two domes instead of just one, the inside was totally changed to become that of a temple. The original tabernacle was dedicated by the prophet Joseph F. Smith which prophesied at that dedication of one day having a temple their with in their mists. The Vernal Utah Temple was announced to be built on Feb 13th, 1994. The ground breaking was on May 13, 1995 by Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley. The open house was Oct 11-25, 1997 and it was finally dedicated Nov 2-4, 1997 by Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley.

Architecture/Decor:

The Vernal Utah Temple was interesting in that the outside reminds me of a barn. It doesn't seem very templeish from the outside other than the angel Moroni statue on one of the domes. It just looks like a barn/ old tabernacle. Once inside though it defiantly feels like a temple and the way it is decorated is like a temple. It has beautiful stain glass windows. One is of the Savior below one of the domes and another is of a mountain and quaking aspens in the chapel. It also has a lot of grain designs in the painting on the walls. It is not at all like many of the other temples in Utah because this one is very simplistic. It is very simple yet elegant inside. It also has a very colonial feel to the furniture. One thing that is very beautiful is that there is a huge mural of the resurrected Savior in the Celestial room very pretty.

Helpful things to know when visiting this Temple:

Location:

The best way to get to Vernal, UT from the Provo/ Salt Lake area is to go through Heber. Once at Heber take the road South going out of town, continue following signs to get to Vernal. Once in Vernal the temple will be on your right in the middle of town, two blocks from Main St. You can't miss it if you look for the Angel Moroni. The trip is rather nice and scenic :)

Scheduling and Temple Clothes:

Although it is a small temple, it is still rather large. We didn't call ahead and I think that if you don't you will probably be fine just to go ahead and go. Interestingly enough they do have temple clothing to rent there (I really thought they wouldn't for the size of the temple, but they do).

Other things to note:

The town is actually bigger than Manti, so believe it or not they actually have places to eat. We ate at Cafe Rio, always delicious! They also have a lot of stuff for people who love dinosaurs in town. We went to the dinosaur museum there, it was a bit over priced if you ask me. (6 dollars for adults, 3 dollars for kids). Highlight of the museum include bones of the only juvenile stegosaurus, and it does have some cool early mammal bones, but over all hardly any dinosaur bones (lame!). The Dinosaur National Park aways out of town is also not worth going to because it is closed due to rebuilding the wall where most of the dinosaur bones were found. So if you want to drive out to a stone quarry to wonder around in your car, then by all means this is the place for you to go!

Where I got my info and if you want to learn more:

Vernal Utah LDS Temple: http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/vernal

The Fourth Temple Visited: Manti Utah Temple

This past Saturday Tyler and I took a little road trip down to Manti to attend a temple session and go to the pageant there. It was a random thing we decided to do the day before. We ended up going to the 12:30 session Saturday afternoon and we were glad that we did. The temple is beautiful! I think a picture doesn’t really capture how beautiful the temple is there, but I am posting several that we took though hehe.

History:

The Manti Utah Temple is the third temple dedicated in Utah (the first being St George, then Logan). It was announced on June 25^th, 1875. The groundbreaking was on April 25^th, 1877 by Brigham Young. At the time of the ground breaking Brigham Young told Warren S Snow that the site had been where Moroni, a prophet of the Book of Mormon, had dedicated for a future temple. There was a private dedication on May 17^th, 1888 by Wilford Woodruff and a public one on May 21^st to 22^nd, 1888 by Lorenzo Snow (the only temple dedicated by him). It is interesting to note that it cost 1 million dollars to build the temple in the late 1800s, which is a lot of money now but just think of how much that was then. It was also completely built by people who volunteered their time to build it. I think this shows how great of sacrifice these early pioneers made to build this temple. They truly saw the importance of giving their all for the Lord and building up His Kingdom on the earth. The Manti Temple was also closed for four years in the 1980s for renovations. It was then rededicated on June 14-16^th, 1985 by Gordon B Hinckley.

Architecture/Décor:

The Manti Utah Temple is one of the castle style temples (the others being St George and Logan). Its architecture was influenced by Gothic Revival, French Renaissance Revival, French Second Empire and American Colonialism. The outside looks like a random castle from Europe places in a small secluded town in Utah. The insides are amazing. The murals in this temple are awesome! I loved the inside. The creation room and world room where beyond description. The creation room showed evolution of animals in the murals, and the world room showed the history of the world in the murals. Every room had new eye candy. I would highly recommend this place if you are temple worthy and want to see some amazing architecture.

Helpful things to know if visiting the temple:

Location:

The temple can be seen quite far away as you drive towards it. It is on Hwy 89 on the North side of town. It is built on a beautiful hill overlooking the town. If you are driving from the Salt Lake/Provo area, I would highly recommend driving to Nephi and then going down through the town of Moroni to go to Manti. It is the most direct route. Beware though there are a lot of speed traps (with many small towns to go through with reduced speed limits), and the road has many curves and deer (hence possibly dangerous at night).

Scheduling and Temple Clothes:

The temple is a large enough temple you don’t need to call ahead to schedule a time. A session is every hour on the half hour. During pageant times the last session is earlier at 3:30, to keep in mind if you want to go to a session and then go to the pageant. Rental temple clothes are also available here too.

If you wish to learn more about this temple check these places out (these were also the places where I got my information):

Manti Utah Temple. http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/manti/

Manti Temple sign at the Manti Utah Temple grounds.