A rendering of the Smithfield Utah Temple.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The location of the Smithfield Utah Temple.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The grounds of the Smithfield Utah Temple in Smithfield on Saturday, June 18, 2022.Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Groundbreaking of the Smithfield Utah Temple
The groundbreaking of the Smithfield Utah Temple was presided over by Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on June 18, 2022. Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was also in attendance and conducted the event. Both Apostles have roots in Cache Valley, where Smithfield is located.
In his remarks to those in attendance, Elder Cook said, “We stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before. We honor them and their legacy and express gratitude for what they accomplished. It is in the Lord’s temples where sacred ordinances are performed, not only for us, but for those who have gone before that we express our gratitude in an eternally significant way.”
The Smithfield Utah Temple groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 18, 2022, with Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presiding. Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles conducted the gathering. In-person attendance at the event was limited to invitation only, but it was broadcast to those in the temple district.
Architecture and Design of the Smithfield Utah Temple
According to plans and exterior renderings, the Smithfield Utah Temple will be a three-story building of approximately 81,000 square feet. Around the building will be columns of arched windows, with arched entryways in front of the entrance.
A tall domed cupola will sit atop the building, near the front, with a smaller dome on the opposite end. The temple will stand on a site of 13.3 acres, with tall trees and purple, white, yellow and pink bushes adorning the grounds.
Groundbreaking Photos of the Smithfield Utah Temple
1 of 11
Elder Quentin L. Cook and his wife, Mary; Elder Gary E. Stevenson and his wife, Lesa; and other guests ceremonially turn the dirt at the Smithfield Utah Temple groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, June 18, 2022. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
2 of 11
The Smithfield Utah Temple groundbreaking on Saturday, June 18, 2022. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
3 of 11
Ceremonial shovels on display at the Smithfield Utah Temple groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, June 18, 2022. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
4 of 11
Elder Gary E. Stevenson shares his remarks at the Smithfield Utah Temple groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, June 18, 2022. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
5 of 11
A choir sings during the groundbreaking for the Smithfield Utah Temple in Smithfield on Saturday, June 18, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
6 of 11
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints speaks during the groundbreaking for the Smithfield Utah Temple in Smithfield on Saturday, June 18, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
7 of 11
Guests bow their heads in prayer at the Smithfield Utah Temple groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, June 18, 2022. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
8 of 11
Elder Gary E. Stevenson greets a guest at the Smithfield Utah Temple groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, June 18, 2022. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
9 of 11
Elder Gary E. Stevenson greets a guest at the Smithfield Utah Temple groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, June 18, 2022. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
10 of 11
Elder Quentin L. Cook and Elder Gary E. Stevenson, both of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and their wives — Sister Lesa Stevenson and Sister Mary Cook — attend the groundbreaking for the Smithfield Utah Temple in Smithfield on Saturday, June 18, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
11 of 11
Participants break ground for the Smithfield Utah Temple in Smithfield on Saturday, June 18, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Additional Facts
Fact #1
This will be the second Latter-day Saint temple in Cache County. The first was the Logan Utah Temple, dedicated in 1884.
Fact #2
According to the 2020 U.S. Census of American Religion, Cache County had the second-highest concentration of Latter-day Saints in a county in Utah, with 64% of the county’s residents being members of the Church.
Fact #3
The Smithfield temple will have approximately the same floor area as the Lindon Utah Temple (81,000 square feet), with the temples announced only six months apart.
This will be the second Latter-day Saint temple in Cache County. The first was the Logan Utah Temple, dedicated in 1884.
Fact #2
According to the 2020 U.S. Census of American Religion, Cache County had the second-highest concentration of Latter-day Saints in a county in Utah, with 64% of the county’s residents being members of the Church.
Fact #3
The Smithfield temple will have approximately the same floor area as the Lindon Utah Temple (81,000 square feet), with the temples announced only six months apart.
