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The '''Bountiful Utah Temple''' is a [[Temple (LDS Church)|temple]] of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] located in [[Bountiful, Utah]]. The intent to build the temple was announced by church's [[First Presidency (LDS Church)|First Presidency]] on May 28, 1988. It is the church's 47th operating temple, the first in [[Davis County, Utah|Davis County]], and the eighth in the state of [[Utah]].

The temple has a single attached central spire with an [[angel Moroni]] statue and is {{convert|104000|sqft|m2}}.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Bountiful Utah Temple |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/bountiful-utah-temple |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}}</ref> Designed by architect Allen Ereckson, the structure uses a modern design. A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify beginning of construction, was held on May 2, 1992, with [[President of the Church (LDS Church)|church president]] [[Ezra Taft Benson]] presiding.

==History==
The temple's history began in 1897, when John Haven Barlow Sr. purchased {{convert|40|acre|m2}} of land from the United States government. Because of lack of water and the steep terrain, little could be done with the land. In 1947, some of the land was cleared and four hundred [[apricot]] trees were planted. In the spring of 1983, [[flash flooding]] caused a great deal of damage in Bountiful, resulting in the decision to build a [[dam]] across the canyon to limit the flow of water during heavy rainstorms. The city requested the use of the soil from the future temple site, so construction crews removed over two hundred thousand cubic yards of soil, leaving the area on which the temple would later be built.<ref>"Bountiful Utah Temple Site History", by Barlow{{full citation needed|date=May 2011}}</ref>

Plans to build the temple were announced by the First Presidency on May 28, 1988.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2010-02-23 |title=Bountiful Utah Temple |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2010/2/23/23228793/bountiful-utah-temple/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Church News |language=en}}</ref> Preliminary plans were for a four-story structure of more than 104,000 square feet.<ref name=":2" /> Four years later, on May 2, 1992, church president Ezra Taft Benson presided at the groundbreaking ceremony.

On January 8, 1995, church president [[Howard W. Hunter]] dedicated the temple. Two hundred thousand Latter-day Saints attended the dedicatory sessions, more than had ever previously attended a temple dedication.<ref name=":1" /> 

Several challenges were faced during construction, including the removal of over 200,000 cubic yards of soil to prepare the steep terrain for building.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-02-17 |title=President and Sister Uchtdorf speak to Bountiful Utah Temple workers |url=https://www.deseret.com/2014/2/17/20535535/president-and-sister-uchtdorf-speak-to-bountiful-utah-temple-workers/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}</ref>

On May 22, 2016, lightning struck the top of the temple, damaging the angel Moroni statue, causing it to lose part of its head and back. The statue, made of fiberglass and covered in gold leaf, was replaced two weeks later.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lightning damages angel Moroni statue atop Bountiful temple |url=https://www.thespectrum.com/story/life/faith/2016/05/27/lightning-damages-angel-moroni-statute-atop-bountiful-temple/85067540/ |access-date=15 April 2019 |agency=The Spectrum}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Romboy |first1=Dennis |title=Lightning damages Angel Moroni statue atop Bountiful Temple |agency=Deseret News |publisher=Deseret News |date=May 22, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Bountiful Temple gets a new Angel Moroni |url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865655456/Bountiful-Temple-gets-a-new-Angel-Moroni.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603042445/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865655456/Bountiful-Temple-gets-a-new-Angel-Moroni.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 3, 2016 |access-date=15 April 2019  |work=Deseret News}}</ref>

The temple has four [[ordinance room]]s and eight [[sealing room]]s. It is the eighth in the state of Utah.<ref name=":1" />

On November 4, 1994, the church announced the public open house that was held from November 4 to December 17, 1994 (excluding Sundays). Approximately 870,360 visitors toured the temple during the open house.<ref name=":2" /> The temple was dedicated by Howard W. Hunter on January 8, 1995, with 28 sessions held over the ensuing days.<ref name=":2" /> Like all the church's temples, it is not used for Sunday worship services. [[Dieter F. Uchtdorf]] has stated that a temple is "literally a house of the Lord."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-02-17 |title=President and Sister Uchtdorf speak to Bountiful Utah Temple workers |url=https://www.deseret.com/2014/2/17/20535535/president-and-sister-uchtdorf-speak-to-bountiful-utah-temple-workers/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}</ref> Once dedicated, only church members with a current [[temple recommend]] can enter for worship.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Bountiful Utah Temple |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/almanac/temples/bountiful-utah/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Church News Almanac |language=en}}</ref>

In 2020, like all the church's others, the Bountiful Utah Temple was temporarily closed in response to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>Stack, Peggy Fletcher. [https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2020/03/26/all-latter-day-saint/ "All Latter-day Saint temples to close due to coronavirus"], ''[[The Salt Lake Tribune]]'', 26 March 2020. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.</ref>

== Design and architecture ==
[[File:Bountiful Utah Temple (1).jpg|alt=The parking lot and entrance of the Bountiful Utah Temple, a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mormon Bountiful temple, LDS Bountiful Temple|thumb|The Bountiful Utah Temple]]
Though not tied to a specific style of architecture,<ref>{{Cite web |date=1994-11-12 |title='Elegance to complement the spirit' -- Bountiful Temple's interior welcomes, teaches visitors |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/1994/11/12/23256277/elegance-to-complement-the-spirit-bountiful-temples-interior-welcomes-teaches-visitors/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Church News |language=en}}</ref> the building has a modern architectural style with a single spire and uses a traditional Latter-day Saint temple design. Designed by architect Allen Ereckson, its architecture uses both the cultural heritage of Bountiful and its spiritual significance to the church. A month before being dedicated, Bountiful's mayor gave the temple an award for beauty and as a landmark to the city.<ref name=":2" />

The temple is on a 9-acre plot at 640 South Bountiful Boulevard, with surrounding landscaping including a circular columned atrium connecting the lower and main parking levels, along with walkways lined with columns and arches. These elements are intended to create a tranquil setting to enhance the site's sacred atmosphere.
[[File:BountifulTemple.jpg|alt=Wedding party greeting spot Bountiful Utah temple, LDS Bountiful Temple, Mormon temple|thumb|The rear of the Bountiful Utah Temple]]
The four-story structure is constructed with Bethel white granite, quarried near [[Sharon, Vermont]]. The exterior has a single central spire with a statue of the angel Moroni. While Moroni is not a figure of worship, the statue symbolizes the restoration of the gospel of [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]], while also being a lightning rod.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-06-07 |title=Bountiful Temple Angel Moroni Hit by Lightning |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/bountiful-temple-angel-moroni-hit-by-lightning |access-date=February 26, 2025 |website=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-05-24 |title=Is the Angel Moroni a lightning rod? Statue does what it's built to do |url=https://www.deseret.com/2016/5/24/20589067/is-the-angel-moroni-a-lightning-rod-statue-does-what-it-s-built-to-do/#:~:text=%22The%20angel%20Moroni%20statues%20get,because%20of%20a%20lightning%20strike. |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}</ref>

The interior design uses colors that progress from darker to lighter shades. The temple has four ordinance rooms and eight sealing rooms, each designed for ceremonial use.

==Presidents==
The church's temples are directed by a [[temple president]] and matron, each serving for a term of three years. The president and matron oversee the administration of temple operations and provide guidance and training for both temple patrons and staff.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Temple Presidents and Matrons |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2004/01/news-of-the-church/new-temple-presidents-and-matrons?lang=eng |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=www.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}}</ref> 

Serving from 1995 to 1998, the first president of the Bountiful Utah Temple was Harold C. Yancey,<ref>{{Cite web |date=1995-01-14 |title=Bountiful Utah Temple: 'Magnificent edifice' consecrated to Lord |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/1995/1/14/23255998/bountiful-utah-temple-magnificent-edifice-consecrated-to-lord/ |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=Church News |language=en}}</ref> with Beverly Yancey serving as matron. As of 2025, the current president is David R. Webster (2024- ).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-07 |title=New presidents and matrons of 16 temples around the world — from Boston to Brazil |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2024/03/07/new-temple-presidents-and-matrons-2024-boston-to-brazil/ |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=Church News |language=en}}</ref>

Notable presidents of the temple include [[James O. Mason]] (2000–03)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-11 |title=Elder James O. Mason — emeritus General Authority Seventy — dies at age 89 |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2019/10/11/23264735/elder-james-o-mason-emeritus-general-authority-seventy-dies-at-age-89/ |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=Church News |language=en}}</ref> and [[Robert H. Garff]] (2012–15).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-06-16 |title=New temple presidents |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2012/6/16/23225468/new-temple-presidents-48/#:~:text=Robert%20Heiner%20Garff,%2069,%20Mueller,and%20Marjorie%20Marie%20Heiner%20Garff. |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=Church News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-03-14 |title=New temple presidents |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2015/3/14/23212767/new-temple-presidents-22/ |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=Church News |language=en}}</ref> 

== Admittance ==
On November 4, 1994, the church announced the public open house that was held from November 4 to December 17, 1994 (excluding Sundays). The temple was dedicated by church president Howard W. Hunter on January 8, 1995, with 28 total sessions held between the 8th and January 14. Like all the church's temples, it is not used for [[Lord's Day|Sunday worship]] services. To members of the church, temples are regarded as sacred houses of the Lord. Once dedicated, only church members with a current [[temple recommend]] can enter for worship.<ref name=":2" />

==See also==
{{Portal|Christianity|Latter Day Saints}}
{{LDS Temple Map Group Utah}}
* [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah#Temples|The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah]]
* [[Comparison of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]
* [[List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]
* [[List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by geographic region]]
* [[Temple architecture (Latter-day Saints)]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline|Bountiful Utah Temple}}
*[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/details/bountiful-utah-temple?lang=eng Bountiful Utah Temple Official site]

{{LDS-US-West}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:20th-century Latter Day Saint temples in the United States]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Bountiful, Utah]]
[[Category:Temples (LDS Church) completed in 1994]]
[[Category:Temples (LDS Church) in Utah]]
[[Category:1995 establishments in Utah]]