The Ephraim Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will open its doors to the public Wednesday, Sept. 2, beginning a limited public open house that will allow people of all ages to tour the newly completed building before it is formally dedicated.

Located at 200 N. 400 East in Ephraim, the temple will be open for tours from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day through Saturday, Sept. 19, except Sundays.

Admission is free, and no reservations are required.

The open house is expected to provide residents throughout Sanpete County and visitors from surrounding communities with a rare opportunity to see the inside of a Latter-day Saint temple. The approximately 45-minute walking tour will take visitors through portions of the temple while representatives of the Church are available to answer questions about the building and the role temples play in the faith.

The open house is also an opportunity for members of the community who are not members of the Church to learn more about the building and its purpose.

A temple for Sanpete County

For many residents, the Ephraim temple represents more than a new building on the city’s landscape. It is a significant addition to the community and another landmark in a county with a long history connected to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Temples are considered sacred buildings by Latter-day Saints and are designed as places where Church members can worship, make covenants and participate in ordinances they believe help them draw closer to God and Jesus Christ.

Unlike regular meetinghouses, which are open for weekly worship services and other community activities, temples are reserved for members who meet established requirements following their dedication.

That makes the public open house a unique period in the life of a temple.

Before a temple is dedicated, the Church traditionally invites the public to tour the building. Visitors can see the craftsmanship, artwork, furnishings and religious spaces that otherwise will not be open to the general public after the dedication.

Church officials encourage visitors to attend the open house regardless of their religious background.

“All are welcome” is the message for the open house, giving residents an opportunity to experience the building and learn about its purpose firsthand.

A 45-minute walking tour

The tour will take approximately 45 minutes and will involve walking through the temple.

Visitors are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes. The tour is wheelchair accessible.

People attending the open house are asked to come as they are, with no special clothing required. However, several guidelines are in place to help maintain the reverence of the building and provide a positive experience for everyone.

Visitors are asked not to take photographs or videos inside the temple. Large bags and other belongings should be left in vehicles.

Smoking, vaping and drinking are not permitted on temple property. Service animals are also not permitted inside the temple.

Restrooms will be available before and after the tour, and drinking fountains are located throughout the facility. Parking will be available on site.

Representatives of the Church will be stationed throughout the tour to help answer questions and provide information about the temple and its various rooms and features.

A 39,000-square-foot landmark

The Ephraim Utah Temple encompasses approximately 39,000 square feet.

Inside are four instruction rooms, each with seating for approximately 30 people, along with three sealing rooms and one baptistry.

The building’s design and furnishings provide visitors with an opportunity to see the different spaces used for various forms of temple worship and ordinances.

The temple will become the 26th dedicated temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah and the 224th dedicated temple worldwide.

Its location in Ephraim also gives the building a distinction shared by only a handful of temples around the world.

The Ephraim Utah Temple is one of only four temples worldwide located adjacent to a college or university campus.

The other three are the Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple, located near Brigham Young University; the Rexburg Idaho Temple, adjacent to BYU-Idaho; and the Laie Hawaii Temple, located near BYU-Hawaii.

The Ephraim temple’s proximity to Snow College is expected to make it a particularly visible part of the community and campus landscape.

For Ephraim and the surrounding communities, the temple will become a prominent part of the skyline and another recognizable landmark along the city’s eastern side.

Dedication set for October

The public open house will conclude Sept. 19, but the temple’s formal dedication is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 11, at 10 a.m.

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will preside at the dedication.

The dedicatory session will be broadcast to all units within the temple district, with a rebroadcast scheduled for 2 p.m.

Following the dedication, the temple will no longer be open to the general public. Entrance will then be reserved for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who are eligible to participate in temple worship.

That makes the September open house an especially significant opportunity for anyone who has wondered what is inside a Latter-day Saint temple.

For Sanpete County residents, it also provides an opportunity to see a major new building in the community before it begins its next chapter as a dedicated temple.

An invitation to the community

The Ephraim Utah Temple open house is designed to be welcoming to people of all ages and backgrounds.

There is no admission charge, and visitors do not need to be members of the Church or make a reservation to attend.

The Church encourages visitors to take their time during the tour, ask questions and enjoy the grounds surrounding the temple.

For those who have watched the temple take shape during its construction, the open house will provide the chance to finally step through its doors.

For others, it may be an opportunity to learn more about a faith tradition that has played a significant role in the history and culture of Ephraim and Sanpete County.

Either way, the open house marks an important moment for the community as the Ephraim Utah Temple moves from construction project to completed landmark.

The public open house will run Wednesday, Sept. 2, through Saturday, Sept. 19, excluding Sundays, with tours available from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The temple is located at 200 N. 400 East in Ephraim. Admission is free, no reservations are required, and visitors of all ages are welcome.