First look inside Saratoga Springs Temple of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Apr 10, 2023, 7:30 PM | Updated: Jan 5, 2024, 1:08 pm

The new Saratoga Springs temple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints begins public tours this week. (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

(Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

BY LINDSAY AERTS

Former Anchor/Producer/Reporter

SARATOGA SPRINGS, UT — Set against the stunning backdrop of Mt. Timpanogos with Utah Lake at its base, the new Saratoga Springs temple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints begins public tours this week.

It’s the first temple dedicated in Utah in five years and for church members who live west of Utah Lake, it’s significant.

“There’s so much growth here, so many new families,” said Elder Kevin R. Duncan, Executive Director of the Church’s Temple Department. “To get from here to a temple frequently you’d have to drive all the way around the lake over to Provo or up to Jordan River … so the need was here.”

Members of the media got a first look inside the temple which is being dedicated Aug. 13. Once it’s dedicated only temple recommend-holding church members are able to go in.

Floor to ceiling stained glass windows are decorated with reeds, water, cranes, mountains and birds symbolizing the area where the temple sits — west of the shores of Utah Lake.

Saratoga Springs Temple, “that’s our temple”

“Whether you’re a member of our faith or not, everybody feels like ‘that’s our temple’ because of the design … but it’s really the peace,” said Elder Duncan.

When it’s dedicated, the Saratoga Springs Temple will become the 178th worldwide temple for the Church. Elder Duncan says currently there are 315 temples that have been announced or are under construction.

Once those are all complete, “we’ll be at about 50% of our current [Church] members within an hour of a temple,” said Elder Duncan.

Public tours being Saturday and run thru July 8, 2023.

Photo gallery of the Saratoga Springs Temple. Photos provided by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

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