Visitor Insights
Visiting Orem Utah Temple
The Orem Utah Temple grounds welcome visitors to walk the peaceful pathways and admire the Art Nouveau architecture. While interior access requires a valid temple recommend, the outdoor landscape offers a quiet space for contemplation.
Highlights
- Serene exterior design clad in Portuguese Pedras Salgadas granite with a 218-foot spire
- Lush landscaping featuring cherry trees paying tribute to historical local orchards
- Panoramic views of the Wasatch Mountain range and proximity to Utah Lake
Things to Know
- Interior access is reserved for active Church members holding a current temple recommend
- No public visitors' center is located on the temple grounds
- Patron clothing rental facilities are available on-site
Tips for Your Visit
Grounds Viewing
Visitors are welcome to stroll the manicured grounds and photograph the exterior architecture during daylight hours.
Ordinance Reservations
Patrons are encouraged to schedule appointments online through the Church official portal, though walk-ins are accommodated when possible.
About
The Orem Utah Temple is the 188th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the 19th constructed in Utah. Situated near Utah Lake and the Wasatch Mountains, this sacred edifice serves as a sanctuary of worship within the broader Christian tradition of covenant-making, prayer, and devotion to God.
Built on land historically settled by 19th-century Norwegian Latter-day Saint converts who cultivated thriving fruit orchards, the temple reflects both local pioneer heritage and sacred symbolism. Its architecture integrates Art Nouveau motifs inspired by regional flora, cattails, and cherry blossoms.
Dedicated on January 21, 2024, by Elder D. Todd Christofferson, the temple provides sacred ordinances such as eternal marriage and baptisms for ancestors. It stands as a physical witness of Jesus Christ and His Gospel in central Utah Valley.
Gallery
Symbolic Elements
The temple's exterior features intricate carvings, each rich with spiritual meaning:
Cherry Blossom Motifs
Intricate cherry tree blossoms in art glass and millwork honor the site's historical fruit orchards and symbolize renewal in Christ.
Wetlands and Lake Art Glass
First-story stained glass depicts cattails, bulrushes, and water lines inspired by the natural ecosystem of nearby Utah Lake.
Mountain Roof Friezes
Carved granite friezes along the parapets mirror the silhouette and flora of the surrounding Wasatch Mountains.
Single Central Steeple
The 218-foot steel spire reaches upward without an Angel Moroni statue, directing attention toward heaven and Christ.
Pedras Salgadas Granite Cladding
Durable light-colored granite imported from Portugal symbolizes purity, permanence, and sacred foundation.
Art Nouveau Floral Millwork
Flowing floral line patterns etched into woodwork and metal railings embody natural elegance and divine creation.
Baptismal Font Oxen
Twelve sculpted oxen beneath the baptismal font represent the twelve tribes of Israel holding up the work of salvation.
Interesting Facts
The Orem Utah Temple is the 19th house of the Lord built in Utah and the sixth constructed within Utah County. (Tier A)
The temple site was historically a thriving fruit orchard settled by Norwegian Latter-day Saint converts in the 1860s. (Tier A)
Art glass and decorative woodwork feature prominent cherry blossom motifs as a homage to local agricultural history. (Tier A)
Reaching a height of 218 feet to its steeple peak, it is among the taller Latter-day Saint temples in Utah. (Tier A)
It is the first temple in Utah County constructed without an Angel Moroni statue atop its spire. (Tier A)
President Russell M. Nelson announced the temple during the General Women's Session of General Conference in October 2019. (Tier A)
The architectural floor plan shares key structural commonalities with the Pocatello Idaho and Taylorsville Utah temples. (Tier C)
First-floor art glass panels display cattails, bulrushes, and water motifs reflecting the nearby Utah Lake wetlands. (Tier A)
Common Questions
When was the Orem Utah Temple dedicated?
The temple was dedicated on January 21, 2024, by Elder D. Todd Christofferson.
Does the Orem Utah Temple have an Angel Moroni statue?
No, the Orem Utah Temple was constructed without an Angel Moroni statue atop its steeple.
Who can enter the interior of the temple?
Interior access is reserved for members of the Church holding a current temple recommend.
What is the historical significance of the temple site?
The site was originally homesteaded in the 1860s by Norwegian Latter-day Saint converts who established fruit orchards.
Featured Stories
Announced During the General Women's Session
October 5, 2019
During the General Women's Session of October 2019 General Conference, President Russell M. Nelson announced eight new temples, including Orem. This historic moment marked the first time new temple locations were announced during a women's meeting of the Church. The announcement brought widespread joy to residents of southwest Orem, who previously traveled to neighboring Provo.
Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Honoring Pioneer Norwegian Fruit Growers
1860s–2000s
The land on which the temple stands was originally homesteaded by Norwegian immigrant converts who arrived in Utah Valley in the 1860s. Over generations, their hard work transformed the property into fertile fruit orchards along Geneva Road. Architect FFKR intentionally incorporated cherry blossom and wetland motifs throughout the edifice to honor these pioneer families and their legacy.
Source: Church News & Historic Records
Dedicatory Blessing by Elder Christofferson
January 21, 2024
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the Orem Utah Temple across two sacred sessions. In his address, he emphasized that the temple stands as a landmark of faith, hope, and peace in Christ for the community. Thousands of local Latter-day Saints gathered in person and via broadcast to witness the cornerstone and dedicatory prayer.
Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Timeline
Pioneer Settlement
Norwegian immigrant Latter-day Saints settle the site and establish fruit orchards.
EventProperty Acquisition
The Church acquires the 15.39-acre orchard property in southwest Orem.
MilestoneTemple Announcement
President Russell M. Nelson announces the Orem Utah Temple during the General Women's Session.
MilestoneSite Location Announced
The Church announces the specific 15-acre site near Geneva Road in Orem.
EventRendering Released
Official exterior architectural renderings are released to the public.
EventGroundbreaking Ceremony
Elder Craig C. Christensen presides over the groundbreaking service.
component.timeline.groundbreakingConstruction Incident
A minor fire occurs in a third-floor utility room during active construction.
EventMedia Preview
Journalists and invited guests tour the newly completed temple interior.
EventPublic Open House Begins
A multi-week public open house commences, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors.
MilestonePublic Open House Concludes
The public viewing period finishes prior to formal dedication.
EventFormal Dedication
Elder D. Todd Christofferson dedicates the Orem Utah Temple in two sacred sessions.
DedicationHistory by Decade
1860s–2000s — Pioneer Settlement and Orchard Era
In the 1860s, Norwegian Latter-day Saint immigrants settled the fertile agricultural lands of southwest Orem near Utah Lake. For over a century, the 15-acre parcel flourished as a family fruit orchard, producing harvests of cherries and apples. In 2004, the Church acquired the historic property to preserve it for future sacred use.
2010s — Announcement and Site Selection
President Russell M. Nelson announced the Orem Utah Temple during the October 2019 General Conference. In December 2019, Church leaders confirmed the exact location on Geneva Road. The announcement filled a vital need for the rapidly growing Latter-day Saint population in central Utah County.
2020s — Construction, Open House, and Dedication
Groundbreaking occurred in September 2020, leading into a three-year construction process managed by FFKR Architects and Westland Construction. After a successful public open house in late 2023 that hosted hundreds of thousands of visitors, Elder D. Todd Christofferson dedicated the temple on January 21, 2024. Today, it serves thousands of patrons across multiple stakes.
Architecture & Facilities
The Orem Utah Temple features a symmetrical three-story steel structure clad in Portuguese Pedras Salgadas granite, seamlessly blending modern classicism with Art Nouveau design accents. Its verticality is emphasized by a prominent 218-foot multi-tiered tower and spire, while exterior parapets and window surrounds showcase custom stone carvings inspired by local mountain flora and wetland vegetation.
Building Materials
Exterior Cladding
Clad in Pedras Salgadas granite quarried from Portugal with custom parapet carvings crafted in Michigan.
Art Glass Windows
Features stained glass panels illustrating cattails on lower levels and cherry blossoms on upper floors.
Interior Woodwork
Utilizes stained cherry hardwood for interior doors, cabinetry, trim, and decorative millwork throughout.
Stone Flooring
Finished with premium marble wainscoting and natural stone flooring across major interior hallways.
Interior Features
Celestial Room
Highlights intricate coffered ceilings, cylindrical crystal chandeliers, and refined Art Nouveau wall treatments.
Baptistry
Features a cast resin font resting upon twelve oxen with decorative metal and etched glass railings.
Sealing Rooms
Spacious rooms designed for eternal marriage ceremonies featuring custom cherry wood altars and mirrors.
Endowment Rooms
Instruct patrons through understated wall coverings, painted woodwork, and soft brass light fixtures.
Temple Grounds
The 15.39-acre grounds feature manicured lawns, stone walking paths, ornamental cherry trees, flower gardens, and outdoor seating areas overlooking the Wasatch Mountains.
Additional Facilities
Includes on-site patron clothing services and full accessibility infrastructure for ordinances.
Religious Significance
As a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Orem Utah Temple operates within the Christian tradition of covenant theology, sacred space, and communion with God. It stands as a holy sanctuary where members perform sacred rites that center on faith in Jesus Christ, divine grace, and eternal family units.
To serve as a house of the Lord where Latter-day Saints receive spiritual instruction, make divine covenants, and participate in saving ordinances for the living and deceased.
Sacred Ordinances
Baptisms for Ancestors
Proxy baptisms performed by youth and adult patrons on behalf of deceased family ancestors.
Endowment
A sacred instructional ceremony detailing God's plan of salvation and the divine mission of Jesus Christ.
Sealing Ceremonies
Marriage and family ordinances uniting husbands, wives, and children for time and all eternity.
Symbolism of Christ and Creation
The design elements inside the temple link physical beauty with spiritual light. The progression from wetland themes on lower floors to cherry blossoms on higher levels symbolizes spiritual growth, resurrection, and eternal life through Jesus Christ.
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Sources & Research
Every fact on Temples.org is backed by verified Sources & Research. Each piece of information is rated by source tier and confidence level.
View All Sources (8)
| Field | Source | Tier | Retrieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| About & Historical Background | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (opens in a new tab) | A | 2026-02-15 |
| Architecture & Design | FFKR Architects (opens in a new tab) | B | 2026-02-15 |
| Construction & Engineering | Westland Construction (opens in a new tab) | B | 2026-02-15 |
| Temple Status & Construction History | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org (opens in a new tab) | C | 2026-02-15 |
| Timeline & Groundbreaking Event | Church News (opens in a new tab) | B | 2026-02-15 |
| Dedicatory Services & Open House | LDS Living (opens in a new tab) | B | 2026-02-15 |
| Site History & Pioneer Heritage | FHE on the Road (opens in a new tab) | C | 2026-02-15 |
| Visitor Insights & Patron Infrastructure | White Elegance (opens in a new tab) | D | 2026-02-15 |