I am a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. One of my dreams has been to live within walking distance of the Temple.
My dream came true when I bought my house in Provo, Utah.
I live within a 10-minute walk to the Provo Temple.
There are 2 temples in Provo, Utah. The Provo Temple sits on a hill above BYU (Brigham Young University). You can see it driving day or night from far away. It is like a beacon on a hill.
This Provo Temple is going to go through renovations and be rebuilt. It is dated. Since it was built in the early ‘70s; this temple is in the mid-century modern style of architecture.
I used to think it was an odd looking shape, and there is a funny saying - some people call it the ‘wedding cake temple’ because of its circular design.
But I love the peace it brings to me.
When I go for my walks, I look up to the hills and see the temple there. I am so happy and grateful.
Many of my ward members have views of the temple from their front windows. It is quite spectacular.
I have been living here in Provo, this time around, for over a year now and still, every day, I love to see the temple as a background and a pillar to see as I am walking.
I like to take photos of the temple. Some of the sisters in my ward go every week and there are times I am able to join them. In one of our visits, the summer flowers were in bloom. Here are some of the photos I took.
The other temple in Provo is called the Provo City Temple, and it is in downtown Provo. The Provo City Temple is my favorite temple. It is so gorgeous.
The key difference between the Provo City Temple and most other LDS Temples is; it is not all white.
The Provo City Temple was formerly the Provo Tabernacle.
The Provo Tabernacle was built between 1883 and 1898 and served as a place for community events and cultural happenings in Provo. It has played an integral part in shaping Provo’s vibrant community spirit.
The Provo Tabernacle was destroyed in a fire in 2010.
After the fire, the Church discussed what should become of the remains of this historic building.
President Monson was the leader of the church at the time of the fire, and he said:
The historic character was incorporated into the new Temple.
It is right in the center of downtown Provo, Utah. There is a beautiful park in front of the temple with family statues.
You can see families taking their children for visits and having picnics in the park with the Temple as their backdrop.
The grounds are kept immaculately.
On the other side of the Temple is the wedding reception area. It is so pretty. I like to watch the brides and their families meeting around there.
All of the photos I post are my own original photos. I love taking photos of Temples.
If you are visiting Provo, Utah or just getting settled here, you no longer need to make an appointment, but it is highly recommended that you make a reservation and for which ordinances you want to be involved in when you go.
Maybe I will see you at one of the Provo Temples!
What Does the Provo Temple Symbolize?
The Provo Temple, belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, symbolizes something much deeper than its physical form.
The Provo Temple represents the Mormon community’s devotion to creating a sacred space that connects us with God. It’s not just any ordinary building, it’s a place where you can deepen your faith and feel closer to God.
The Provo Temple was designed with modern detailing that emphasizes its religious nature. Look at the spires pointing upwards, for example. These spires have been a universal symbol of sacredness throughout history, and they do an incredible job of making the Provo Temple stand out as a holy place.
Location of Provo Temple - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
The Provo Temple is situated at 2200 Temple Hill Drive in Provo, Utah.
The Provo Temple holds a special significance for those who follow the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
The moment you step onto the temple grounds, you’ll be greeted with a picturesque landscape. All around you, there are flowers, lush shrubs, and trees, along with a water feature.
It’s the perfect spot to find some peace and quiet and connect with spirituality.
But that’s not all there is to see in the area. Across the street from the temple, you’ll spot the Missionary Training Center (MTC). This is where young missionaries gather all year round to prepare for their missions.
You can just feel the dedication coming from these enthusiastic youths.
To the southwest of the temple lies Brigham Young University (BYU) - an esteemed educational institution owned by the Church. The university is always bustling with activity. Here, you’ll find students and faculty members who are passionate about their spiritual beliefs and pursuit of knowledge.
The location of the Provo Temple is truly one of a kind. It’s a must-visit spot for anyone looking to connect with their faith and marvel at the beauty of nature. You won’t regret visiting this stunning place.
Hours of Provo Temple - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
The Provo Utah Temple is open on:
Monday 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Tuesday - Friday6 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday 6 a.m. – 4 p.m.
You’ll want to be aware of upcoming closures if you’re planning a visit to the Provo Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Here are the Provo temple closure dates for 2023:
Monday, 3 July 2023 - Monday, 17 July 2023
Monday, 24 July 2023
Monday, 4 September 2023
Saturday, 30 September 2023
Wednesday, 22 November 2023 (Limited Operations)
Thursday, 23 November 2023
Monday, 18 December 2023 - Monday, 1 January 2024
These closure dates are subject to change, so make sure to double-check the website for any updates or additional closures that may be added.
How to Make an Appointment at the Provo Temple - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
It’s highly encouraged for you to make a reservation ahead of time. You’re still welcome if you drop in without an appointment. However, wait times may be longer, so patience is key!
Simply visit https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org to schedule your appointment. From there, you’ll need to create an account if you haven’t already and log in. Once you’re in, you’ll see a list of available dates and time slots. Choose one that works best for you and you’re all set.
Sometimes, finding the perfect appointment slot can be a little tricky, especially during busy times. My tip for you is to keep checking back frequently because appointment slots may be open up due to cancellations or rescheduling.
Make sure to be considerate and cancel the appointment if you can’t make it. This allows others to grab that slot and helps the rescheduling process run smoothly.
Remember to be patient and respectful during your visit. The Provo Temple is a sacred and spiritual place, and it’s important to treat it with reverence. You’ll enjoy your time there so much more if you follow this advice.
What is the History of the Provo Temple?
The Provo Utah Temple was the sixth temple built in Utah. It holds a special place in the hearts of the local community, especially those who are members of the LDS Church.
What’s unique about the Provo Utah Temple is that it has six instruction rooms. Only three other temples have this distinction, including the Ogden Utah Temple, the Jordan River Utah Temple, and the Washington D.C. Temple.
With so many rooms, the temple can accommodate multiple sacred ceremonies at the same time. It’s all about meeting the needs of the growing LDS Church membership.
LDS Temples in Utah
The Provo Temple and the Provo City Center Temple are the second pair of temples built in the same city in Utah. Before them, it was the Jordan River Utah Temple and the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple in South Jordan, Utah.
This trend of building temples in the same cities is all about making it easier and more convenient for Church members to attend.
Back in the mid-1960s, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) noticed that a majority of temple ordinance work was being done in just three temples.
To provide more opportunities for sacred ordinances, the decision was made to build the Provo Utah Temple.
Originally, the temple was known simply as the Provo Temple. But over time, it became officially known as the Provo Utah Temple.
The original design of the temple included a beautiful gold-leafed statue of the angel Moroni perched on top of a gold-colored spire. However, during the construction, they decided to eliminate the statue from the design. It wasn’t until 2003, that a statue of Moroni was added during a renovation project.
They even changed the spire color from gold to white. How interesting!
The temple was designed by architect Emil B. Fretzer, who was also responsible for the design of the Ogden Utah Temple, which was built at the same time.
The two temples looked almost identical until the Ogden Utah Temple received a makeover in the early 2010s.
President Joseph Fielding Smith presided over the groundbreaking ceremony in 1969, with President Harold B. Lee offering the prayer he had written.
The temple was dedicated in 1972, with over 7,000 attendees showing up to witness the momentous event. At the time, this was the largest temple dedication in history!
It’s no wonder that the temple is still a beloved and revered place of worship for Latter-day Saints today.
But here’s the really exciting news - during the October 2021 General Conference, President Russell M. Nelson announced that the Provo Temple will be reconstructed!
The construction will begin after the completion of the Orem Temple, which is expected to happen in fall 2023.
This reconstruction is all part of the Church’s efforts to ensure there’s always a local temple available for all. We can’t wait to see the new and improved Provo Temple in the future!
