Syracuse Utah Temple Groundbreaking

Ground has been broken in Syracuse, Utah, for the Syracuse Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The sacred structure will be built about 30 miles northwest of Salt Lake City.

Elder Kevin R. Duncan of the Quorum of the Seventy presided at the groundbreaking ceremony Saturday morning, June 12, 2021.

“I am very familiar with these fields where we stand, where we are gathered today. From this temple site, I can see the barn roof of my childhood home,” said Elder Duncan. “Some of you are new to this area, but this is your home too. Whether you are a longtime resident, or a ‘new pioneer,’ this temple will be your temple.”

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The Syracuse Utah Temple was announced in April 2020 by Church President Russell M. Nelson.

The three-story structure of approximately 89,000 square feet is being built on a 12-acre site at the intersection of 2500 West and 1025 South in Syracuse.

Several members who reside in the temple district shared testimonies during the groundbreaking ceremony, including Elder Dean M. Davies of the Quorum of the Seventy. He said, "For me everything about temples reflects love. Love of the Father and the Son, love of living prophets and the love of Church members throughout the world."

In quoting Church President Russell M. Nelson, Elder Davies said, "I promise you He will bring the miracles He knows you need as you make sacrifices to serve and worship in His temples." Elder Davies concluded, "This will be a special temple. It will be a light to the community. It will bring peace and joy to those who enter therein." 

In a dedicatory prayer, Elder Duncan offered thanks to the Lord for “the magnificent blessings these holy houses of the Lord bring to us, Thy children. We are humbly grateful for the mercy and redemption extended to us through the loving sacrifice of Thy Son.”

“We recognize the great legacy of faith and sacrifice that has been passed down from the pioneers who settled in this area where a new temple will soon stand,” said Elder Duncan. “We also recognize the faith of the posterity of those pioneers and the many other of Thy other children who have or will yet strengthen this area with their faith and trust in Thee.”

Attendance at the groundbreaking ceremony was by invitation only, while those who reside in the temple district were able to watch a broadcast. The broadcast will be available on Newsroom later today.

There are more than 2.1 million Latter-day Saints in Utah, just under two-thirds of the state’s population of 3.3 million residents.

Utah has 27 temples announced, under construction, under renovation or in operation. In addition to the temple in Syracuse, temples have been announced or are under construction in Ephraim, Layton, Lindon, Orem, St. George (Red Cliffs), Saratoga Springs, Smithfield, Taylorsville and Tooele (Deseret Peak).
Each temple is considered a “house of the Lord” where Jesus Christ’s teachings are reaffirmed through baptism and other ordinances that unite families for eternity. In the temple, Church members learn more about the purpose of life and make covenants to follow Jesus Christ and serve their fellow man.