Ogden Utah Mormon Temple

The Ogden Mormon Temple is much like its twin, the Provo Temple. In the mid-sixties it became apparent that more temples were needed to reduce the crowding in the Salt Lake, Logan, and Manti temples. Fifty-two percent of all endowments in the Church were being done in the Salt Lake, Manti, and Logan temples. The First Presidency decided to build two temples, one at each end of the Wasatch Front in Ogden and Provo. The Ogden temple serves more than 135,000 members.

On September 7, 1970, a cornerstone laying ceremony was held for the Ogden Temple. The site for the temple was a ten-acre lot called Tabernacle Square, which the Church had owned since the area had been settled. In 1921, President Heber J. Grant had inspected the site as a possible place for a temple but had decided that the time was not right for a temple in the area.

The Ogden Temple is different from the previous temples built by the Church in many ways. The design is extremely contemporary. The lot chosen for the Ogden Temple is in downtown Ogden, surrounded by businesses and offices. For many this temple helps remind them that while they may walk everyday in the world of man, their goals, dreams and actions should be higher, and focused on the temple. The Ogden temple is also significant because it was the first temple built in Utah since the Salt Lake Temple was dedicated in 1893. The Ogden temple is 115,000 square feet; it has four floors (one below ground), and 283 rooms.

The design was made to be extremely efficient, and six ordinance rooms surround the celestial room in a circle. This design allows endowment sessions to start every fifteen to twenty minutes.
The stone on the Ogden temple is fluted, and between the stone, decorative metal grillwork has been added. Gold windows with directional glass also add to the beauty of the temple. The Ogden Temple was dedicated on January 18, 1972, by President Joseph Fielding Smith.

On February 17, 2010, the LDS Church announced plans to substantially alter the exterior of the Ogden Temple by adding new stonework and stained glass.  The entrance will be moved round to face Washington Boulevard.  The interior will also be slightly remodelled and utilities upgraded, although the original floor plan will remain much the same.  The temple grounds, which adjoin the Ogden Tabernacle, will be landscaped, with the key feature being a new ornamental pond.  Underground parking will complete the makeover.

Architect's image of the proposed changes to the Ogden Temple

During the renovation project, members of the Ogden Temple district will be able to attend the Logan and Bountiful temples.   The temple will close on April 2, 2011, for renovations to begin.  No re-opening date has been scheduled yet.

Mailing address:
350 22nd Street
Ogden, Utah 84401-1487
United States
Phone:   801-621-6880