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Latter-day Saints line up to attend a session of the dedication of the Orem Utah Temple on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024.

Courtesy Intellectual Reserve

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Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Katherine Christofferson, at the Orem Utah Temple dedication on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024.

Courtesy Intellectual Reserve

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The Orem Utah Temple is pictured Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, the day it was dedicated.

Courtesy Intellectual Reserve

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The Orem Utah Temple was dedicated on Sunday, making it Utah County’s sixth operating Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple.

The dedication was done by Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who said the new temple “marks a milestone in the progress of the kingdom of God on the Earth, and particularly in this vital part of His vineyard.”

In Utah, there are 28 temples in operation or under construction or renovation. The Saratoga Springs temple — which was first announced in 2017 — was dedicated last summer. Orem’s is the 19th temple dedicated in Utah.

“What had seemed overwhelming and impossible can, with the Lord’s help, find resolution, and we are more certain of His help,” Christofferson said regarding temple attendance. “In short, with our time in the temple we have been refined, even if only in a small degree, and heaven is that much closer.”

The temple was first announced in 2019 by President Russell M. Nelson and had its public open house last fall. Orem’s temple is three stories tall and encompasses 71,998 square feet.

Elder Robert T. Smith, an Area Seventy, said the Orem temple’s announcement “was a joy and an unexpected, miraculous surprise,” specifically for church members in the area.

“I feel like we’re living in the days when the revelations of the prophets are bringing to pass the prophecies of old and the inspired feelings of faithful church members,” Smith said. “This beautiful temple is part of fulfilling that prophetic destiny.”

Just a week ago, Christofferson also dedicated a temple in Lima, Peru, which was announced in 2016.

Three other temples in Utah are slated for dedication this year: the Red Cliffs Utah Temple in March, the Taylorsville temple in June and the Layton temple in June.

The Provo Utah Temple will be closed starting on Feb. 24 for renovations. Other temples in Utah County include the Provo City Center Temple, Payson temple, Mount Timpanogos temple and the Saratoga Springs temple.

In April, the church also plans to rededicate the Manti temple, which has been undergoing renovations since 2021. Six temples in Utah are currently under construction, including one in Lindon.

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