Visitor Insights
Visiting Payson Utah Temple
The Payson Utah Temple grounds are welcoming to all visitors seeking quiet reflection. Nestled against the dramatic Wasatch Front mountains, the surrounding gardens feature pristine walking paths, colorful floral displays, and decorative water fountains.
Highlights
- Extensive floral gardens with apple blossom motif references.
- Panoramas of the Wasatch Mountains framing the central tower.
- Peaceful courtyard fountains and pedestrian plazas.
Things to Know
- Interior entry requires a valid temple recommend for Church members.
- Grounds remain accessible for photography and peaceful strolls.
Location
1494 S 930 W, Payson, Utah 84651, United States
Hours: Grounds open daily from dawn to dusk; interior schedules vary.
Getting There: Located near 930 West and 1550 South in Payson, approximately one mile west of the Interstate 15 800 South exit.
Get DirectionsTips for Your Visit
Best Photo Views
Capture the main eastern entrance in the early morning for warm mountain backdrop illumination.
Quiet Walking Paths
The south courtyard plaza offers shaded seating and tranquil fountain water features.
About
The Payson Utah Temple stands as a monumental house of worship at the southern edge of Utah Valley. As part of the broader Christian theological tradition within Abrahamic faiths, Latter-day Saint temples are understood as literal Houses of the Lord. In these sacred spaces, believers make solemn covenants with God and participate in holy ordinances centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Announced in 2010 and dedicated in 2015, the temple serves tens of thousands of Latter-day Saints across southern Utah County. Its classic architecture blends regional pioneer heritage with sacred motifs, incorporating local botanical art glass and natural stone to honor both divine creation and community history.
Gallery
Symbolic Elements
The temple's exterior features intricate carvings, each rich with spiritual meaning:
Angel Moroni Statue
A gilded statue atop the spire representing the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Apple Blossom Art Glass
Stained glass depicting progressive floral growth stages to symbolize spiritual progression.
Wheat Stalk Carvings
Intricate wheat patterns etched into wood and glass honoring agricultural roots and divine sustenance.
Twelve Oxen Font
Twelve cast oxen supporting the baptismal font representing the twelve tribes of Israel.
Cream Precast Facade
Light cream stonework evoking historical pioneer masonry traditions of the region.
Twin Entrance Porticos
Dual main entry points offering welcoming access points for temple patrons.
Twelve Crystal Chandeliers
Twelve grand crystal fixtures filling the Celestial Room with radiant, reflected light.
Interesting Facts
The Payson Utah Temple was the 15th temple built in Utah and the 146th operating worldwide. (Tier A)
At 96,630 square feet, it stands among the largest Latter-day Saint temples constructed in the 2010s. (Tier A)
The temple interior contains polished natural stone sourced from quarries in Egypt, Spain, Turkey, and Brazil. (Tier B)
Over 400,000 visitors toured the structure during its public open house in 2015. (Tier A)
More than 20,000 local volunteers assisted during the month-long open house event. (Tier A)
The temple site covers over 10 acres of land originally donated by a local family. (Tier B)
It serves congregants across more than 25 ecclesiastical stakes in southern Utah County. (Tier A)
The interior features 19 original paintings created by regional Utah artists. (Tier B)
Common Questions
Can non-members tour the Payson Utah Temple?
The manicured temple grounds and gardens are open to the public daily, though interior access is reserved for Church members holding a temple recommend.
Why are apple blossoms featured so prominently in the design?
The apple blossom motif honors Payson's agricultural legacy as an orchard community and symbolizes spiritual development.
What are the main materials used on the exterior?
The exterior is constructed with architectural cream precast concrete panels and custom stained art glass windows.
How tall is the Payson Utah Temple?
The central spire reaches a total height of 208 feet, topped by the gold-leafed Angel Moroni statue.
Featured Stories
Groundbreaking in the Autumn Snow
October 8, 2011
Despite freezing October temperatures and wet snow, several thousand Latter-day Saints gathered in Payson for the temple groundbreaking. Elder Dallin H. Oaks led the ceremony, reminding attendees that sacred houses of the Lord are built through faith rather than fair weather.
Source: Church News Archives
Youth Celebration of Pioneer Heritage
June 6, 2015
Over 13,000 local youth participated in a massive outdoor performance held the evening before the temple dedication. Through song and dance, the production celebrated Utah Valley's agricultural heritage and the enduring legacy of early Christian pioneers.
Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Newsroom
Apple Orchard Artistry
June 7, 2015
Architects designed the temple's art glass windows to depict apple blossoms growing from closed buds on lower floors to full flowers on upper floors. This local motif pays tribute to Payson's historical apple orchards while visually depicting spiritual growth.
Source: Daily Herald Reporting
Timeline
Temple Announced
President Thomas S. Monson announces plans for a temple in Payson during opening remarks.
MilestoneProperty Acquired
The official temple parcel is deeded to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
EventGroundbreaking Ceremony
Elder Dallin H. Oaks presides over the snowy groundbreaking service attended by thousands.
component.timeline.groundbreakingPublic Open House Begins
A month-long public open house opens the interior to over 400,000 visitors.
EventYouth Cultural Celebration
Over 13,000 youth perform in an outdoor cultural event honoring local history.
EventTemple Dedication
President Henry B. Eyring dedicates the temple across three solemn sessions.
DedicationOfficial Opening
The temple opens for regular ordinance work for Latter-day Saints.
MilestoneTemporary Pandemic Closure
Operations are paused in response to the global health crisis.
EventPhased Reopening Starts
The temple resumes living sealings under initial health protocols.
MilestoneHistory by Decade
2010s โ Announcement and Construction
Announced in January 2010 by President Thomas S. Monson, the Payson Utah Temple met rapid growth across southern Utah County. Construction commenced in October 2011 with a rainy groundbreaking led by Elder Dallin H. Oaks. Over the next four years, craftsmen erected the 96,630-square-foot structure, culminating in a public open house that drew nearly half a million guests before its June 2015 dedication.
2020s โ Global Resilience and Continued Service
Following a brief operational pause during the 2020 global pandemic, the Payson Utah Temple resumed full service. It remains a crucial spiritual center for tens of thousands of congregants in the region.
Architecture & Facilities
The Payson Utah Temple showcases Neoclassical architecture infused with regional pioneer architectural motifs. Clad in cream precast concrete panels, the symmetrical multi-story design features deep inset windows, classical stone cornices, and a soaring 208-foot central spire topped by the Angel Moroni statue.
Building Materials
Precast Concrete Cladding
Warm cream exterior concrete panels engineered to endure Utah valley seasonal weather.
African Mahogany Woodwork
Custom dark African mahogany millwork framing doors, altars, and stairwells throughout five levels.
Imported Natural Marble
Polished interior stone flooring and plinths imported from quarries in Egypt, Turkey, and Spain.
Custom Art Glass
Intricate stained glass windows displaying hand-painted local apple blossom and wheat motifs.
Interior Features
Celestial Room
A serene sacred room featuring high vaulted ceilings, refined gold leaf accents, and twelve crystal chandeliers.
Baptistry
A ceremonial baptismal font resting atop twelve cast white oxen surrounding a custom woodland landscape mural.
Endowment Ordinance Rooms
Four instruction rooms detailed with custom floral carpeting, fine mahogany woodwork, and murals.
Sealing Rooms
Seven marriage sealing rooms configured with plush seating and floor-to-ceiling mirrors.
Temple Grounds
A 10.63-acre manicured landscape with dual pedestrian plazas, decorative water fountains, evergreen trees, and expansive flower gardens.
Additional Facilities
An adjacent arrival facility providing administrative offices and visitor seating areas.
Religious Significance
Within Christian Latter-day Saint theology, temples are sacred sanctuaries set apart from the world. Unlike standard meetinghouses used for weekly congregational worship, temples are reserved for high holy covenants and sacred ordinances.
To serve as a House of the Lord where members enter into sacred eternal covenants with God and participate in holy ordinances.
Sacred Ordinances
Baptism for the Dead
Vicarious proxy baptisms performed on behalf of deceased ancestors, grounding belief in universal salvation through Jesus Christ.
Temple Endowment
A sacred ceremony providing spiritual instruction and covenants binding believers to God.
Eternal Marriage Sealing
Ordinances uniting husbands, wives, and families for eternity under divine priesthood authority.
Abrahamic and Christian Foundations
Latter-day Saints view temple worship as a continuation of ancient biblical traditions established in the Old and New Testaments. Like ancient tabernacles and temples, modern temples serve as dedicated spaces where divine presence meets human devotion.
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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 (10)
| Field | Source | Tier | Retrieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| About & Historical Background | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (opens in a new tab) | A | 2026-02-18 |
| Timeline & Events | Church News (opens in a new tab) | B | 2026-02-18 |
| Architecture & Design | Daily Herald (opens in a new tab) | B | 2026-02-18 |
| Symbolic Elements | LDS Living (opens in a new tab) | B | 2026-02-18 |
| Visitor Insights | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org (opens in a new tab) | C | 2026-02-18 |
| Facts & Statistics | The Salt Lake Tribune (opens in a new tab) | B | 2026-02-18 |
| Featured Stories | KSL.com (opens in a new tab) | B | 2026-02-18 |
| Religious Significance | Meridian Magazine (opens in a new tab) | C | 2026-02-18 |
| Grounds & Landscaping | Photogent (opens in a new tab) | C | 2026-02-18 |
| Gallery & Photography | LDS Temple Pics (opens in a new tab) | C | 2026-02-18 |